First time (new) member, patience please!
I am trying to sell my elderly friend's 2012 Chrysler 200, with only 45k miles. But it has this clicking sound when I 1st turn on the fan speed. It sounds like something is hitting the fan blade, or a two gears slipping on each other. I'm not a mechanic, but have a hard time selling a car like this. Before I joined, I read other vehicles had issues which might have been some sort of accuator, modulator? Remebering I am not a mechanic, is this simple to isolate?
Thank you - just trying to help a friend.

 

I forgot to say, the noise always quits after a sort bit. But, yesterady as I was washing it, with the engine off. It seemed to make the same sound. ?

 

It does seem as if an actuator is/has failed. There 3 or 4 actuator motors for the HVAC system depending if the vehicle has dual zone (driver and passenger heat/cool separate). The actuator motors are identical.

With the HVAC in manual mode, that is auto mode is not selected for the fan speed or air outlets. Have you determined where the clicking is coming from, such a behind the glove box or behind the center console? An actuator will only move/click for maybe 10-20 seconds expecting the door to be in position in that time.

Are you able to change the mode, that is, where the air is coming from - windshield/defroster, upper panel, foot well? If the air is redirected as expected and there is no clicking, the mode door actuator is probably good.

With the engine up to temp, does the outlet air change temp as expected and there is no clicking? If the temp changes as expected and there is no clicking, the blend door actuator is probably good. Note this has dual zone, there will be a temp control/blend door for both the driver and passenger.

The last actuator to check is for the recirculation door which pulls outside air in when open and recirculates interior air when closed. It is a bit difficult to see the operation of the recirc door. Pressing the recirc button will close the door and a second press will open the door. If the recirc actuator motor is/has failed you will hear a clicking behind the glove box as the button is pressed. An interesting feature of the recirc door is that is will automatically close about 20 seconds after the ignition is turned off and will automatically open if a front door is opened without the key in the ignition. This clicking without the key in the ignition is a very good tell. If you remove the cabin filter and use a flexible mirror and light you would be able to see the recirc door move.

The recirc door actuator failure is common enough to be my first suspect.

If an actuator needs to be replaced, I suggest OEM/Mopar only. I found myself replacing an after-market one after a couple of months.

If there is no cabin filter, it is possible for some debris to be hitting the fan blades but I would focus on the door actuators first.