Cadillac: Clicking noise behind glove compartment, cadillac seville, glove compartment

Question
I have noticed a clicking noise behind the glove compartment at various times while driving my 1997 Cadillac Seville SLS. There is an access panel at the back of the glove compartment that I have opened and can see a thin metal rod that seems to have back and forth as the car is driven. When the clicking occurs this rod vibrates and appears to be attached to the device that is producing the noise. What system is this? How do I fix it? Should I be concerned.

Answer
That is your AC/HEAT programmer. The metal threaded rod vibrates because the plastic gear inside the programmer has some stripped teeth on the gear and this will effect your heating and cooling and the programmer should be replaced UNLESS someone has been messing with it.