mleskovar

STFF helped but I have more questions....with the key in position 2, engine running or not, I hear a definite slam of an air control flap in the dashboard area about every 5 seconds, for 6 times, then it stops. Most posts on the symptom point to the stepper motor gear being loose/stripped on the shaft requiring motor replacement via dashboard "removal". I can't tell any difference in the cabin temperature but I live in a very moderate climate....what does that flap do? I'm guessing it mixes outside air with inside air to achieve/maintain temperature and cycles every so often to clear inside air? Does default/broken = always cycling external air through? Is it really necessary to remove the dash to replace the motor? Where is the stepper motor located?

yeuchau

that is called stepper motor, u don't have to replace if you don't want to, it's common probelm in C's.
and it doesn't do anything other than that 6 sounds.

i am not exactly sure where it located, but it's somewhere behind dash board, so yah, it requires to take out entire dash, that's why dealer is charge like 600 for labor while the part is only like 50