AHHH! My car is in for service today and I am also experiencing the same kind of noise behind the dash. I can only here it when the engine clicks off and I turn off the radio, it sounds like coffee brewing or a cd player changing discs. I had the guy in the car listen to it and he said it was normal. I told him I have had the vehicle for 2 years and this is a new sound, but he assured me this is normal. I am so mad. I guess I should call them...

 

I can't seem to find a service bulletin on this issue. Can you be more specific on the service bulletin? Since my dealer told me it was "normal" I will need more information to convince them to take a closer look.

 

The coffee maker behind my dash just started brewing a few days ago so it's time to take it in for the very first time since new. The problem is also showing up in the '10 FFH. It has been reported that the noise comes back after the repair so it must be a design problem in cold weather.

GaryG

 

All - first, THANKS for this forum and especially this thread. I have the exact same noises in my "new" 2008 Escape Hybrid (and this is my first hybrid vehicle and this is my first post here, so please excuse any noob mistakes/repeats) - behind the dash/radio area it sounds like cd/hard drive random seeking/percolator noises!! I hope this thread doesn't die before we capture/confirm exactly what is going on (actuator motor(s)), and if it is serviceable by us home garage mechanics with how-to steps, or what approach and costs worked at your Ford dealership.

Thanks again all!
daggerNC
2008 FEH

 

I've replaced the actuator motor for the floor vent doors (bottom right had side), but unfortunately that one is not malfunctioning. Mine appears to be the actuator motor controlling a hot/cold blending door somewhere in the middle of the dash console??

Can someone please provide pics or link(s) to service manual pages showing how to access this one?

Thanks,
David

 

I just brought a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid limited still with full warranty. took the car in today to local dealer in Stuart FL. Made them hear the noise and they kept the car all day. By the end of the day they said they changed something but the paperwork wouldnt be ready but I could take the car, I drove the car and the noise was still there. not sure if anything was changed but the symtoms are unchanged. i really want this fixed before my warranty expires and certainly I want it documented. Will post the progress if there is any on this annoying noise.

 

I know the dealership on US-1 and Pomroy and it sounds like they changed the wrong (easy) Blend Door motor. Take it back and tell them. Any problems, take it to Glenda at Mullinax Ford in Lake Park (Plam Beach County) and tell her you're a friend of Gary Gattis and can she help you. Keep me posted!

GaryG

 

Took my '08FEH in today and had a new key programmed and the DRL disabled. I asked the service rep about what he would charge (my truck is well beyond the 36K mile warranty) and he said there are two of these behind the dash/console: one would be about $350 and the other would be about $500!!! Nighthawk - by all means get this fixed under warranty!

Guys - I need someone to post/link/send me the dash removal process so I can attempt this myself, please!

 

OK so the problem was resolved today. I will explain everything but they originally did change the blend actuator behind the radio because they said it was making noise. They later road tested and found that noise to be gone. That was yesterday and that one took most of the day.

Unfortunately that wasn’t the noise I had explained but was happy that one was changed since it too made noise. This morning I showed them how to make the noise go on and how it lasts 10 or 20 seconds. In econ mode the air would come on and off all the time and that seemed to make the noise worse. The compressor has to be on for me to make the noise happen most of the time but switching the temps worked too sometimes. With just the blower motor fan running I never got the noise. This is south FL so AC is a must almost all year so compressor it is.

The tech had the air on 60 with passenger side controls on too. This was after the blend motor actuator was changed. No noise. I said that’s not how I usually run it and put a/c with eco mode and recirculation on. Recirc didn’t change the noise in my case but wanted it running how I would normally keep it. I also put the temp up to something more likely 67 or 70 degrees since recirc button makes it feel colder anyway. The crackle or coffee brewing noise started. He got under the dash on passenger side and asked me to make the noise happen over and over so I would start up the ac and fan full blast then press the power button to the whole climate control system. Then one last time he said try it again. Long behold no noise. I asked him what he did and he said he disconnected the other actuator that was on the passenger side under dash but towards center console. I was very happy and quite an easy diagnosis. So they actually changed the one in the dash yesterday because it was making noise when they checked it and one below on passenger side today.

Very happy, no more sound. Dash doesn’t look like it was ripped apart either and no funny dash noises after repair.
Parts were AL8Z-19E616-F which was listed twice. I presume that means they are the same part but since they did one ticket for two days I am not sure if that is the case. Either way they were able to do the lower one in a few hours. I didn’t watch since I was at work but I honestly can’t see it being super difficult as the escape has a very straight forward dash panel design.

I should also mention they fixed the creak from the back hatch or window that was really annoying. They stated they used a squeak and rattle kit? And installed high density foam under rubber bump stops and adjusted the rear striker. That noise was loud and I heard the same thing on my Dads escape rental when ever you would go over uneven ground or SUV would shift center of gravity left to right or front to back. Just mentioning that fix too since others may have that noise too.

Very happy with Ford dealer in Stuart FL, thanks everyone hope this helps others.

 

A bit OT but why did you have the DRL disabled?