Clicking sound from under the car in cold weather

[Pragmatic]

I never heard it last year (driving in fresh snow weekly). I have heard it this year, maybe because I'm listening for it.

 

[borski]

In the meantime, our temperatures rose above freezing and the clicking stopped. I believe I even saw the shutters (aka louvers) close from open position. Does it mean that nothing is broken?

Yup.

 

[mattrettig]

So, seriously: would a well-placed hair dryer on the hot setting fix this? Had the car washed today, and it’s happening to me too. Definitely don’t want to burn out a motor or gears with this. Thanks.

 

[Electrified]

Heard this noise first winter... Because of the location I assumed snow/ice had stopped the louvers from opening and closing, and the noise was some mechanical cam that had a fail-safe that would not force the louvers open/shut when there was a blockage, and thus prevent permanent damage to the mechanism.

It stopped once the car warmed. Happened again the second winter when it got cold, then stopped when the car warmed.

Happened again in July when a small deer ran into me = I assumed it was deer guts jammed into the mechanism as it did not go away. The car had cosmetic damage to front bumper cover and hood but otherwise operated normally. Wife insisted I take the car in anyway, i agreed as the sound is bothersome, and I figured I could be without a car for a few weeks. Plus, I'd get confirmation when I saw the parts on the repair invoice. Nope. Not a word.

It's been 5 months and counting. Bill is north of $30k and counting (from insurance Co... they estimated ~ $3000). Since then missed every update and car is bricked, lifeless, in some dark place where I am forbidden to even see it. I'm going crazy without my car.

Going through a bad withdrawal right now. I've missed cars before but never like this.

Point is: . ... there is a lot going on under the bodywork. And, If you miss a bunch of updates = you've trouble, right here in River CityView attachment 25896View attachment 25896

The Music Man!!

 

[stratus]

So, seriously: would a well-placed hair dryer on the hot setting fix this? Had the car washed today, and it’s happening to me too. Definitely don’t want to burn out a motor or gears with this. Thanks.

Do you park indoors? If so, just don’t worry about it , as it will stop. This is my 3rd winter with the clicking louvers and I now just completely ignore it.

 

[Halodde]

So, seriously: would a well-placed hair dryer on the hot setting fix this? Had the car washed today, and it’s happening to me too. Definitely don’t want to burn out a motor or gears with this. Thanks.

It should. But I don't know what else is in that area that the heat might damage. You're better off trying to park somewhere above freezing overnight. It'll melt the problem away.

Last time I went through the car wash, I used an air compressor and 'dried' the AGS as best I could (1 minute?) and they didn't freeze. YMMV

 

[mattrettig]

It should. But I don't know what else is in that area that the heat might damage. You're better off trying to park somewhere above freezing overnight. It'll melt the problem away.

Last time I went through the car wash, I used an air compressor and 'dried' the AGS as best I could (1 minute?) and they didn't freeze. YMMV

Rog. No I park outdoors and it’s gonna be COLD! af for the foreseeable. It stopped today but I suspect this will recur, so I’d like to know there’s a method of fixing it other than to wait potentially 8 or 10 days for it to sufficiently warm up. (This is my first winter with the car.)

Thanks for the info all!

 

[Chillywill75]

Rog. No I park outdoors and it’s gonna be COLD! af for the foreseeable. It stopped today but I suspect this will recur, so I’d like to know there’s a method of fixing it other than to wait potentially 8 or 10 days for it to sufficiently warm up. (This is my first winter with the car.)

Thanks for the info all!

In my case something on it actually got stripped so that I was even clicking during warm months so I had it replaced

 

[stratus]

Rog. No I park outdoors and it’s gonna be COLD! af for the foreseeable. It stopped today but I suspect this will recur, so I’d like to know there’s a method of fixing it other than to wait potentially 8 or 10 days for it to sufficiently warm up. (This is my first winter with the car.)

Thanks for the info all!

Since you park outside, I suspect this will be a recurring nuisance. A solution ( I have not heard of one at this point ) would be great, but in the interim, if it persists, I hope you have the same experience as me; specifically, no malfunction to this point.

 

[borski]

Since you park outside, I suspect this will be a recurring nuisance. A solution ( I have not heard of one at this point ) would be great, but in the interim, if it persists, I hope you have the same experience as me; specifically, no malfunction to this point.

Anyone remember plugging in old diesels? Extension cords and a space heater?

 

[stratus]

Anyone remember plugging in old diesels? Extension cords and a space heater?

Yes, unfortunately.