There's a rain stick in my dashboard!

[Ludichris]

Does anybody know what a rain stick is? Hopefully so, 'cause that's the best way I can describe the noise that I hear coming from behind my dash. It's a random trickling sound that sounds....well.....like a rain stick. Any idea what this could be?? If it's in the engine bay, it's definitely coming from the drivers side of the engine bay, but it's so quiet that I think I only hear it from inside the cabin. And, it seems to be there most of the time, but I can only hear it at stop lights, at idle, etc., because road noise and what not blocks it out otherwise. It's definitely a noise that's not supposed to be there, and I'm not noticing any malfunction or anything on the gauges or strange readings from my Scan Gauge II, but it sure is something that I wish I knew the origin of. Any ideas? At all? I know it's not a very good description, it really needs a recording (and I happen to be an audio engineer with plenty of GOOD mics, recording gear, etc., but I don't think it would show up in a recording too well).

[Archon]

Could it be this?

Bulletin No.: 01-01-38-007

Date: May, 2001

TECHNICAL
Subject:
Tick-Tock Noise From HVAC Module Assembly (Install Spring)

Models:
1997-1999 Buick Park Avenue, Ultra with RPO CJ2
2000-2001 Buick LeSabre with RPO C67
2000-2001 Pontiac Bonneville with RPO C61

Condition

Some customers may comment that the Heater and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Module Assembly emits a repeating "tick-tock" noise.

Cause

The "tick-tock" noise may be due to the two air mix (temperature) actuators on the Park Avenue HVAC module and the mode and air mix (temperature) actuators on the Bonneville and LeSabre HVAC module oscillating/cycling when they have reached a position on the HVAC module.

Correction

Install a deflector spring, P/N 25732764, in the covers of the two air mix (temperature) actuators on the Park Avenue HVAC module and in the covers of the mode and air mix (temperature) actuators on the Bonneville and LeSabre HVAC module.

[Ludichris]

I don't think it's that, it's definitely not a tick tock type of sound. I'll try to make a recording of it, I don't know how well you'll be able to hear it though. It's like small pebbles trickling down something, from inside the dash it seems.

[01bonneSC]

What are the conditions when you are hearing it? Is it raining? Are you turning? etc etc

[SSEiMan01]

Is it raining?

It rains shortly after...Check dash for rainstick, and GPS monitor.

[redzmonte]

could it be something in the front Defrost vent? Lol like Tommy Boy when the M&M's roll into the dash! other thing i can think of is try removing the windshield cowl and see if you can find anything in there... I have heard it in cars before and i dunno if its junk or water or something in there thats tuff to get out. how long has it been like this? has it been dry enough to evaporate it if it was water where you are?

S

[Grimm]

Scratch that. I was going to ask if you have a moonroof, but finding more pics of your car, I see it doesn't. Mine has a very similar sound coming from the A pillars, which I'm assuming is the water running down the moonroof drain tubes.

[brownbrentm]

was this ever solved? I seen to have something similar on the passenger side, I would describe more as a CD starting to spin, or the clicking a hard drive makes.

[RJolly87]

I have heard noises similar to this, that I would have described as small air bubbles racing out of the heater core.

[brownbrentm]

it's higher up than that, but yeah that cold be another description.

[kristie_jeff]

I saw this suggestion on another post a while back. I know you said it's not coming from the HVAC area, but worth a shot, sometimes sound reflections can play tricks.

Next time you're at a light and hear the rain stick sound, turn your temp control knob a couple clicks. With mine all the way hot or cold, it will make a clicking sound. If I turn it a click or two the other direction, it stops.

Took me for ever to figure it out, and I wouldn't have with out reading it on here.