How to Stop Nissan Dash Clicking or Slapping

Most 2005 - 2014 Nissan Xterras and Frontiers have an annoying series of hard slaps or loud clicks from behind the passenger side dash when the ignition is turned on or off. That sound is a flapper valve in the air system grinding on a bad gear. Watch to see the easy fix, with just a clothes pin.

[@rustythompson4523]

I did the zip tie thing a few years ago and I kid you not it took me several tries to get it through the plastic grid. Finally I got it through and it did the trick for quite sometime. But earlier this week it started up again much to my dismay, it even made the sound when I would turn my air on. I did try the zip tie again and was successful in getting it through but it didn’t work. Luckily I found your great little video. First I called my Nissan dealership and just to diagnose the problem was $135. Yesterday at lunch I bought about 100 clothes pins for $1.06 and within 10 minutes my problem was resolved. Thank you so much!

[@juanc.9735]

I think your video is very helpful and it should have more likes than it does. I think ppl don’t like it because it’s gonna trigger other videos like this into your algorithm & unless you’re a mechanic there’s no need for more. Just food for thought. Thank you 4 the tip.

[@nigeldonaldson2320]

I don't have this problem. But I wanna say thank you for making such a great and I formative video. Well done sir.

[@wattage]

Worked like a charm for my 2006 Frontier. I doubled-up the clothespins just like you did. Five min fix. Easy-peasy. Great video. Simple and no BS. Thank you!

[@edherlik6816]

You're welcome

[@edherlik6816]

No, you don't need to remove the cabin air filter door or filter. I did that to show more of the problem flapper valve that makes the noise.

[@HolyCityHooligans]

You’re the man for informing us of this simple fix… THANKS SO MUCH!

[@edherlik6816]

Hope it helped.

[@tommurphee3040]

I just fixed this issue that has gone on far too long..Thanks so much !

[@edherlik6816]

You're welcome

[@josephmarley8568]

Welp, you just saved me about 450 bucks...I truly appreciate you for the video's!

[@thesetruths1404]

Thanks! Gonna do this on my new-tp-me 98 Pathfinder. Just started this a few days after i got it back from mechanic installing a used motor.

[@eamonsearson6643]

It works! Another satisfied customer -:)

[@anonmous7065]

Awesome! I was quoted $900 plus to replace the actuator in my Xterra 2007 so the 1 cent ziptie "fix" was sweet!

[@edherlik6816]

Hope it helped.

[@rafaelmarin1963]

You sir deserve two thumbs up. 👍👍

[@edherlik6816]

Hope it helps.

[@SalihFalih]

Thanks for sharing very helpful, could you please tell me which is the close position for the air recirculation door? is it up position or down? because mine when recirculation button is on and car is moving air comes out through vents but when button is off air flow stops but when I shutoff engine the recirculation door makes noises for two seconds also when I turn ignition back on same sound again.

[@charliehustle544]

So, is this kicking the can down the road? What I mean to ask is that this noise is due to some stripped gears. By keeping the door from closing fully, are we going to just strip the next few teeth, and so on? I had this problem fixed "the old fashioned way" some years ago at a cost of > $700. I did what is describe here, and it works, so should I just expect to have to do it again?

[@jeffwolf8018]

I've noticed that mine has a crack in the actual gear so the clothes pin does absolutely nothing for it how do you fix that? I'm fearing the entire dashboard in front area has to be dismantled in a big way to access it?

[@edherlik6816]

Yeah, that fix requires opening the dash and is a bitch. That's why a temporary fix is so popular.

[@aslananoosh5317]

This is awesome thank you.

[@jesusbermudez1764]

Thank you. It worked!

[@gilwilliams9036]

Does this affect how much heat you get. I'm looking at buying an 07 Frontier right now and it has the clicking from the passenger side dash area. Winter is not to far away and I don't want a truck with no heat

[@edherlik6816]

Sorry, KZbin just displayed your question to me. No, it does not change how much heat you get but does change where that heat goes. The flapper door won't close all the way. So, you'll get some heat in vents you don't mean to with most of it going where you want.

[@natet4893]

My titan does this clicking buy only while off and I've left the truck.Ill forget something in my truck after grocery shopping and come back to it and this clicking will be going on for like 10 seconds

[@robertlucas3454]

I tried this method/fix on my 2002 X TERRA but I can't move the 1 inch bundle of electrical wires that is blocking me from installing a zip tie, the cable is to tight and no way to move it out of the way!! Any thoughts or info on how you moved your cable wires out of the way

[@edherlik6816]

No suggestion on the cables but, if you have to, a clothes pin clipped to the grid can also block the flap and stop the noise. It's easier to install but is not as secure as zip ties.

[@haroldrobinsoniii7440]

Will this improve the amount of heat i get in my 2007 Armada?

[@edherlik6816]

Sorry, I don't know but I suspect not. All this temporary fix does is stop the noise from a failing nylon gear in the drive that moves a flap. Generically, heaters commonly go 'cold' when air gets into the heater core and blocks the circulating radiator fluid or coolant. Check for leaks first. A common fix is to elevate the front end on ramps, let the engine cool completely, remove the radiator cap, run the engine to full temp with the cap off, and turn the heater on full. That can sometimes move bubbles through the system and out the open radiator. Top off the coolant. A power (water under pressure) coolant flush can do the same thing.

[@1cbeale]

Thank you. Much appreciated!

[@edherlik6816]

You're welcome!

[@taylorb21554]

Yeah but you’re not in total reconciliation of air in the cabin though, it’s still about 25% open drawing in fresh air

[@edherlik6816]

Yep. That's the price you pay for the crappy nylon gear that strips out on every Nissan.

[@TheGolfster3]

Is that a warranty issue? My Frontier is still under warranty and was wondering if I took it to Nissan would they address the problem at no charge?

[@edherlik6816]

I don't know but I'd sure present it to them as a warranty issue.

[@chuthao6303]

mine is intermittent slow clicking sound that also turns on the blinkers when it clicks? happens when i open the doors. starts the engines, driving, happens when the car's engine is off ..etc. intermittenly?

[@fishersam87]

Hello, What is noise before of that clicking sound, is it sound of actuator that is working

[@edherlik6816]

Yes, the humming sound is normal.

[@brittanytrombino5955]

Bout to try it on my Nissan Murano

[@edherlik6816]

How did it work?

[@TurdFerguson217]

Will the air circulation still work when doing this? It looks like it just pushed it straight back

[@edherlik6816]

Yes. The difference is that it may bleed a bit of air in recirculate, when you want to shut off outside air. That's worth it. Otherwise, you have to tear the whole thing apart to replace the stripped nylon gear.

[@TurdFerguson217]

@@edherlik6816 you are awesome, thank you so much for the fix and the reply!! I did it yesterday and it fixed the ticking sound, thank you!

[@robertlucas3454]

Correction: My 2006 X TERRA

[@shannonschnitkey4827]

Everything is the same as your truck except I cannot find the grid

[@edherlik6816]

Perhaps it's hiding behind the cable harness?

[@noelsantana2059]

O b

[@edherlik6816]

???

[@fernierodriguez3838]

What kind of Nissan? and what years?

[@edherlik6816]

That one is a 2010 Xterra.

[@allanfranco4464]

THATS NOT THE WAY TO FIX THINGS REPLACE ACTUATOR THATS NOT WORKING RIGHT

[@edherlik6816]

Sure, you can do that. So show us your video replacing the stripped gear.

[@phettywappharmaceuticalsll8842]

😂

[@graydation]

Didn't work

[@edherlik6816]

Why not?