Strange noise in 2000 Avalon

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Bill Poston - 31 May 2006 01:11 GMT

Hello,

My 2000 Avalon, 203000 miles has just started a strange noise under
the steering column. Sounds kind of like the speedometer cable is
going bad. Minor noise, not ear shattering. Mostly heard while moving
but sometimes the noise continues after stopping.

No major problem. Just curious if anyone has ever had similar
experience.

Thanks.

Bill Poston

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Ray O - 31 May 2006 04:23 GMT

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> To reply correct [at] and [dot]

203,000 miles on a 5 year old car is almost as much driving as I used to do!

A failing speedometer cable makes a squealing or clicking sound. It that
the sound you're hearing? BTW, your car has an electronic speedometer and
does not have any rotating parts under the steering column.

If you get the sound when you turn the steering wheel, it may be the
clockspring for the air bag.

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Ray O
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Bill Poston - 31 May 2006 13:34 GMT

>> Hello,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>If you get the sound when you turn the steering wheel, it may be the
>clockspring for the air bag.

Thanks.

The sound is like a dull clicking. (made me think of the older
speedometer cables clicking when going bad). I thought the speedometer
was electronic but not sure.

Turning the steering wheel does not affect the sound. The really weird
thing is that sometimes the clicking continuous after car is stopped.

Bill Poston

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Art - 31 May 2006 17:12 GMT

On some cars with auto climate control, a small fan samples the air in the
car even when car is off for a short time after a door is opened or closed.
I don't know about the avalon though. If it has such a fan, that might
explain the noise if it is going bad. Chrysler uses those fans with Auto
climate control.

>>> Hello,
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
> To reply correct [at] and [dot]

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Ray O - 31 May 2006 17:17 GMT

>>> Hello,
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
> To reply correct [at] and [dot]

Hmmm, you don't have any enemies, do you?

Clicking noises are made by relays, solenoids, and bimetallic switches like
turn signal flashers. Most relays are in the fuse panel so that leaves
solenoids and bimetallic switches as possible sources of the sound.

If you have the shifter on the column, the shift lock solenoid is somewhere
in the column, as is the solenoid that releases the ignition key. The
bimetallic switches are the turn signal and hazard warning flashers.

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Ray O
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