I have a 2000 S40 and approximately one minute after starting the engine, I get a loud ticking noise coming from somewhere in the dashboard on the passenger side. It usually lasts about 20 seconds and does the same thingafter about 45 minutes of run time. I just had my motor mounts replaced and the mechanic took note of it saying that it has something to do with a Recirculation something or other (air flow option). Anyone have the same problem? Anyone can elaborate on this?? Is this something I can fix on my own? Is the part easy to get to and where exactly is it?

I'm the original owner and have approximately 160,000 miles on the car. My only complaints:

I've gone thru numerous headlight bulbs even after installing the recommended wiring harness.
I just installed my second set of motor mounts. All I have to do is punch the accelerator and they'll break again!
My drivers seat right arm rest broke way back when, never fixed it, but that's for another thread!

 

The recirc motor might be bad.

 

I have the same car with the same issue. When I press the recirculation button for the air to flow from the cabin, you can hear what I believe is a vacuum motor moving the damper to divert air from the cabin. Once it is in place, the ticking stops. Then every once in a while the ticking starts again. I figure this is the motor losing vacuum, the diverter moves, and the motor realigns the damper. It's probably bad like tech says, but it doesn't bother me enough yet to put the money out for it.

On the headlights, same here, but I had the dealer replace the harness about 2 years ago and the problem went away.

On the motor mounts, I drive to maximize economy, so mine are holding up. After reading all the mount issues on here, I had the dealer check them, figuring even if they were questionable, they would want to make a sale. They said they were good.

My armrest is still OK, but boy it does seem flimsy.

Hope I helped with the above.