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Buzzing behind instrument cluster

823 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  chrisf2012, 
Wright498
Hi all,
I have a 2008 caliber that’s an electrical nightmare. I noticed tonight while the car was shutoff, about every 30 seconds there is a buzzing noise under my instrument cluster and then the odometer flashes on. This process last about 1 second and keeps repeating every 30 seconds. I have it on a 7 second video if you’d like to hear and see it. I have no idea what it could be, but was hoping it’s related to a mountain of other weird electrical stuff this car does.
Thanks for any help, James
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C
There are three blend door actuators in the Caliber that control the flow of heat/AC to the various outlets. After you shut off the car the actuators will eventually reset to their default position. If the buzzing you're hearing is actually a failed actuator, perhaps it's causing some sort of weird electrical issue.

With the car running try changing the airflow outlets from dash to floor to defrost as well as turning on and off recirc. If you hear the buzzing then you have a bad actuator.
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672aq
It's a normal noise, related to the Key Off Power Delay in the instrument cluster.

Do you have the EVIC? Is there a button on the instrument cluster on the left side of the speedometer?
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J
Wright498 said:
...about every 30 seconds there is a buzzing noise under my instrument cluster and then the odometer flashes on ... but was hoping it’s related to a mountain of other weird electrical stuff this car does.
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Odometer flashing on, buzzing noise, mountain of other electrical problems... all this together makes me think that you have corrosion or some other type of damage in your wiring harness.

Do you live in an area where corrosion is an issue?

Was the car ever in an accident that might have impacted the electrical system?

Are there any ECU codes set?
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Wright498
No codes present currently. Maybe if I list the problems it could be narrowed to something. I’m pretty good mechanically but am a little over my head with the electronics.

buzzing behind cluster while car is off with a flash of the odometer

while driving the cluster resets, lights flash, gauges drop, then everything comes back. There doesn’t seem rhythm or reason when it may happen. multiple times a day or nothing for a week.

driver side front door ajar while driving. It lasts for a second and goes away. Again no rhyme or reason. Super annoying at stop lights with the automatic locks.

interior lights flashing occasionally while driving.

I replaced the TIP module a year ago because half the lights weren’t working. As far as I know the car has always been in Kansas so not really a whole lot of moisture.
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J
It is hard to say what the issue might be, it is likely that you have damaged or otherwise corroded wiring and/or connectors.

You might get some CRC contact cleaner, pull out the TIPM, ECU and other components, clean up the connectors and put them back. (disconnect the battery before doing this)

Also, pull apart all the ground points (even if they look fine) clean them up and put them back. Same for the battery terminals.

Here is a guide to the locations of all the ground points: Here are all the ground point locations - check these...
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C
Actually the problem sounds a LOT like a problem with the wiring harness...very common issue. The harness runs out from the TIPM, then turns 180 degrees and runs in between the splash shield of the left front tire and the body of the car. Wire chafing in the area where it turns 180 is common. GIve the harness a good inspection and repair the wiring as necessary.
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