Mystery Sound Coming From Behind Steering Column

[Brisky]

Hello,

I am not sure what the issue is, so I am just guessing on which forum to throw this in.
Mods can move as seen fit.

The car is a 93 Legacy L 5 speed w/ 218k miles.

I was curious if anyone had any ideas or could offer input as to what might be causing this sound.
It only occurs after I have driven the car for a short while and I can hear it only from inside the cabin, not the engine bay.



At first I thought it was like a clicking sound, but now I think its almost like that of a pump or of a small horse galloping slowly.


It's there every time right when I am about to turn off the car and have all other sounds turned off (fans, radio, etc).

The car has zero symptoms outside of the sound.
Could it be the brake booster or fuel pump going bad or something else?

I haven't had a chance to take it in to get looked at yet, so I wanted to get some input on potential ideas.

As always, thanks in adavance. =)

[dscoobydoo]

Not the fuel pump, as that sound would be behind you.

These cars do sometimes make a sound from the vent closure flap of the AC/heating control unit.

It can normally only be heard if it is in the off position and there are no other sounds.
Next time you hear it, turn the selector to defrost and see if it goes away.
Or turn the fan switch to 2

It does sound like a dull ticking that is rhythmic.

[Brisky]

Not the fuel pump, as that sound would be behind you.

These cars do sometimes make a sound from the vent closure flap of the AC/heating control unit.

It can normally only be heard if it is in the off position and there are no other sounds.
Next time you hear it, turn the selector to defrost and see if it goes away.
Or turn the fan switch to 2

It does sound like a dull ticking that is rhythmic.

Yeah it definitely happens when the HVAC is turned off (I try to always turn it off right before I turn off the car).

I just tested it and when I turn the DEF on while the car is just sitting idle the sound goes away, but comes back again when I turn it off. When I turned the DEF onto fan 4 and then turned it off the sound only lasted a short while and went away.

Vent closure flap huh? Is it suppose to make that weird sound though?
Is it something I should replace or just know that its normal and deal with it?

[dscoobydoo]

We all just deal with it.

[vrg3]

You can make it go away by lightly pressing one of the other buttons on the HVACcontrol unit -- not enough to actually switch the mode, but enough the make the "OFF" button pop out. It's not a solution, but it is a workaround.

[Legacy777]

That's interesting.....I don't have any noises with the HVAC door panels....

[oldscoobyturbo]

me either and having owned 6 first gens some with over 200k miles
the speedo cable noise is the worst or maybe the door seals

[BoostedSubie]

My wagon has done the exact same thing for years now, but have just ignored it cuz i don't feel like tearing apart the dash to get to the blend door motor.