hi, a loud fanlike clanging has started in the dash area lasting a few minutes and stops ,but not with the ignition off. very strange. any ideas as to its cause?

The description is vague so far . . . however, with what I know so far I'd suspect an actuator has gone out.

Another possibility is the cabin air filter is rubbing against the fan cage. The ole park ave has this problem when it'* cold out.

Clanging seems an odd way to describe a squirrel cage type fan like an automobile has. Can you record this and upload it somewhere?

If you turn the HVAC off so the fan shouldn't run, do you still get the sound? If you adjust the HVAC from hot to cold, (speculating that it'* a servo blend door doing the work) does it change the sound?

Can you tell approximately where in the dash? Would it be easier to pinpoint with the glovebox or radio removed, or will you need to remove driver'* side trim, or if it does this when not moving, poke your head up under the dash with it parked? For lack of first person observation, I'd guess that removing the glovebox is the place to start.

thanks for all the great suggestions, will keep all in the loop, with more details

problem is a heat door actuator

Thanks for letting us know. Did you manage to replace the heat door actuator?

not yet, noise is sporadic

changed actuator today, very tight area, hope for quiet now

Good luck!