Viva clacking alarm when heater turned up to 19 degrees

[Raffajaffa]

Hello. love our little viva low mileage 16k and trouble free for its two elderly owners since new.Ex Vauxhall employee. 
however Suddenly we have a clacking sound from behind or under dashboard.  After a week of it going off when starting the engine or latest just switching ignition on for a few seconds I have discovered that it is connected to switching on the temperature control dial. Bellow 18 cuts off the alarm  no other problems or noises?    Turning up over 18 starts the ac into on. 
  Cannot get car into my usual garage till after new year.  Recently serviced even after 2k miles per year.   Unable to do anything myself.

is it safe to drive albeit short distances.  Any suggestions helpful. Yep I am wearing warm clothes.  Dave

[Vauxhall Owners Club]

Have you managed to discover the cause of this issue yet?
Wondering if it is battery strength being low on start up and invoking the alarm or relays to become active and when AC kicks in the that is more drain on the battery?

[Raffajaffa]

On 12/4/2024 at 11:39 AM, Raffajaffa said:

Hello. love our little viva low mileage 16k and trouble free for its two elderly owners since new.Ex Vauxhall employee. 
however Suddenly we have a clacking sound from behind or under dashboard.  After a week of it going off when starting the engine or latest just switching ignition on for a few seconds I have discovered that it is connected to switching on the temperature control dial. Bellow 18 cuts off the alarm  no other problems or noises?    Turning up over 18 starts the ac into on. 
  Cannot get car into my usual garage till after new year.  Recently serviced even after 2k miles per year.   Unable to do anything myself.

is it safe to driv

On 12/17/2024 at 9:20 AM, Vauxhall Owners Club said:

Have you managed to discover the cause of this issue yet?
Wondering if it is battery strength being low on start up and invoking the alarm or relays to become active and when AC kicks in the that is more drain on the battery?

e albeit short distances.  Any suggestions helpful. Yep I am wearing warm clothes.  Dave

hi again   sorry to be out of touch and No it has not been sorted.

The garage stated it was a diverter valve of some description and said it can be seen under the dashboard as a white plastic wheel turning. Passenger side  , Somehow I eventually got a part number for this right hand drive version.However once they stated that the dashboard was to be removed.Problem NO screws to undo or guidance. Have now given up due to longstanding health problem. Dave

[mattewwade06]

That’s an odd issue! Sounds like it could be something with the blend door actuator or a faulty servo motor inside the HVAC system. I’ve seen similar clacking noises happen when the temperature control hits a certain point might be worth checking if the sound stops at other settings or if it's consistent every time. Has anyone tried pulling the fuse or doing a reset to see if it clears temporarily?

[Raffajaffa]

Hi and delayed thanks. I did find something detailed stating that this was related to a diverted flat skin to what you mention along with a part number for this repair and it’s right hand drive number. However it describes unscrewing the inside plastic cover which doesn’t have screws on my car. So getting to this white plastic lever  clicking area is beyond difficult. It’s not an MoT issue so can wait for expensive repair if we keep the vehicle.  Dave