Buzzing under dash

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Jim Smyth

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I have a 2011 Expedition with 33,000. Yesterday I went to start the car up and as we pulled out of the drive and a loud buzzing sound started coming from under the dash mainly on the passengers side. I pulled back in the drive and left the car running and popped the hood. Sound still sounded like it was way under the dash somewhere. Went back in the car and started playing with the AC controls figuring something in the delivery system maybe stuck causing the vibration but couldn't get it to stop.

Didn't go away and I had to be some where. So I started driving and played with AC and heating controls. Then turned the AC off and after a few minutes the sound stopped. So I forgot about it till going out to eat diner tonight.

It started up again while driving only this time I couldn't make it go away with turning the AC off. Played again with all the controls, 4wd selector, overdrive all with no success. Then when we got to a red light I shut the car off and turned it back on and no noise or buzzing any more. That lasted a few miles then it started up again. I put the car in Neutral turned the car off and back on and the noise again went away again.

On the way back home the buzzing started again. So I did some research here and it seems there was a issue with a lot older Expedition models than mine with a fuse box relay.

I may need to bring this into Ford but until I do does anyone out there ever had this happen to them? If so what was the fix. The buzzing sound is quite annoying and there is a vibration on the floorboards up front. Obviously something isnt right.

I am currently in Central Florida where its warm and AC is needed. All other car systems operate normally.

TIA, Jim
 
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GAINMOB

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no clue and I lived in florida for 7rs...a/c= arm control...I knew its pretty warm there now but u may have to ride with the windows down...
 
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bedrck46

I am not sure where the fuse/relay box is on your year But if its behind the kick panel then remove the kick panel and the next time you hear the buzz feel the relays to see if that is where the noise is coming from. If that is the case then replace the relay and if it still continues that would indicate that something else may be wrong in that circuit. Just a thought.
 
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Jim Smyth

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Talked with the service manager today and have a appointment Monday morning. He said he thinks he knows what it is by the explanation and that it will be about a 2 hour fix. We will see, hopefully hes right.
 

FordCustSrvc

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Talked with the service manager today and have a appointment Monday morning. He said he thinks he knows what it is by the explanation and that it will be about a 2 hour fix. We will see, hopefully hes right.

Hi Jim Smyth,

I'd like to loop in your regional customer service manager, who'll work with both you and your dealer to come to a swift resolution. Please send me a PM with your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, and servicing dealership.

I'll get the ball rolling.

Todd
 
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bedrck46

thanks Todd he already posted that he has an appointment at the stealership
How do you get the ball rolling when an appointment is made??
 

FordCustSrvc

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thanks Todd he already posted that he has an appointment at the stealership
How do you get the ball rolling when an appointment is made??

Hey bedrck46,

You're welcome. As we've discussed before, by connecting a vehicle owner with the regional customer service manager, they will have the opportunity to discuss possible repair and financial assistance.

Thank you for your concern.

Todd
 
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bedrck46

Todd, as stated before People come onto the forum to try and get help in order to save money and hopefully solve their problem. The only advice that I ever see you give is to tell them to take it to the dealership and you will get the ball rolling. There is a section in every owners manual that says just about everything you are telling costumers. That information is readily available and all you do is repeat what has been written. Nothing personally meant against you as you are most likely a very nice person just trying to do a job. Its just that I have never seen you offer any kind of help so that a person can do his own repairs, without spending hard earned dollars at the dealership.
 

FordCustSrvc

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Todd, as stated before People come onto the forum to try and get help in order to save money and hopefully solve their problem. The only advice that I ever see you give is to tell them to take it to the dealership and you will get the ball rolling. There is a section in every owners manual that says just about everything you are telling costumers. That information is readily available and all you do is repeat what has been written. Nothing personally meant against you as you are most likely a very nice person just trying to do a job. Its just that I have never seen you offer any kind of help so that a person can do his own repairs, without spending hard earned dollars at the dealership.

Don't worry about me, bedrck46; I'm from thick stock.

I completely understand that it is frustrating to write in (or see other forum members write in) and be told that you need to have your dealer help you. There are a couple reasons why you'll get that response. First, in order for your CSM to know how they can help, your vehicle needs a diagnosis. Second, dealers are independently owned and operated, so there are some issues that they are going to make the final call on. In those cases, I (or a phone rep) will usually encourage you to visit another dealer for assistance.

I'll do my best to answer as many technical questions as I can (and get info from coworkers with various specialties), but a lot of my job entails assessing vehicle concerns and getting forum members to the appropriate party to best get that concern resolved as quickly as possible.

A lot of the time that person is your CSM, because they talk to your dealer on a regular basis and are best at getting your vehicle repaired, getting you a rental, financial assistance, etc.

I'm definitely not here to be a cheerleader. I'd much rather just help where I can and be honest with you when I can't. For those forum members, such as yourself, who prefer to complete their own repairs, my scope is much more limited. I'm not a trained technician, and unfortunately, I'm unable to work with you, in person, on your vehicle. I'm happy to answer as many parts questions and research questions as I can.

Let's do our best to work together; I'll assist where I'm able.

Todd
 
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Jim Smyth

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I did search this forum and couldn't find anything that was compatible with my problem. But with that said I can almost always figure it out on the forums. Thats why I asked the question because there's pretty good odds I am not the first one with this issue. So I figure since it looks like a odd ball problem I will bring it into the pros while its still under warranty.
 
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Jim Smyth

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Well sure as all get out after I made the service appointment the next 2 days there was no buzzing under the dash. I have worked in Maintenance before and intermittent problems are the worst! So my appointment was at 7:30 this morning so I started the car up to kinda clear some moisture off the windows and went in to refill my coffee cup. Came back out and guess what? The buzzing started up again.

So I had a 15 mile ride to the Ford dealer and didnt change any controls regarding heat/AC. Pulled up at 7:20 and had to wait till they opened the doors at 7:30. I grabbed the first service guy and said hey you have to listen to this before is disappears. He grabbed the head guy to also come listen. They told the guy driving the car to not shut it off and bring it right back for the mechanic to listen to.

So 2:45 hours later the car is fixed and no more noise. They replaced the Blower motor. Good thing I was at 2-1/2 years and 33,000 miles because it was covered under warranty. Hope this helps others and hope this doesn't happen again in another 2-1/2 years from now.
 
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Jim Smyth

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No worries. Nothing worse than finding a thread with the same problem as you have only to find the original poster never came back to say what the problem was and how it was fixed. But I am glad the mechanic got to fix this one because its location didnt look like a very easy to get at fix.

Next one I will have to do myself I am sure since it will be out of warranty by then. That begs a question here to others that may know the answer? Say in another 2 years my blower motor goes out again. Do I have any recourse to have Ford do it again because it was defective under warranty the first time? Would a service manager cover it for you since it was a problem before if it happens again? Hopefully if its a continuous problem over the years, Ford will issue a recall or service bulletin on them.
 
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bedrck46

Many come on here and ask a question or ask for advice and then when they get a few answers Then you don't hear from them again until they need help for the next problem.

As far as your question maybe you should contact the service manger and ask him what the warranty is on the new blower motor
 

GAINMOB

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Good deal...what are the factors that play into same year group vehicles not having the same common probs...my truck is 10yrs old and all I've done was alt...fuel pump...brakes...conversion...who bought new vs used? Who works their truck vs who simply commutes....climate?

Holy Rollerz Christian Car Club (HRC3)
 
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