1999 V8 making clicking sound in back
Discussion
I've checked the forum and haven't found this problem elsewhere, I hope someone can help me!
I've got a well-serviced 1999 V8 with 26,000 miles. Recently I began hearing a soft clicking sound coming from behind me (almost sure it's from the engine compartment). It just started a few weeks ago, and I live in Pennslvania where it's recently turned to winter. Don't know if the low temperatures are a factor or just a coincidence.
The clicking sounds like a metronome, steady, quite rapid, and doesn't seem to vary in tempo. I only hear it under throttle while I'm in gear (any gear), and goes away when I let off the throttle and coast (in gear or in neutral). It doesn't happen if I rev the engine in neutral. Only when in gear.
Like I said, it's not loud, just soft and annoying. And of course you worry that it's an indication of something that's beginning to fail and may cause expensive damage if not fixed now.
>> Edited by 99whitev8 on Saturday 24th December 02:31
I've got a well-serviced 1999 V8 with 26,000 miles. Recently I began hearing a soft clicking sound coming from behind me (almost sure it's from the engine compartment). It just started a few weeks ago, and I live in Pennslvania where it's recently turned to winter. Don't know if the low temperatures are a factor or just a coincidence.
The clicking sounds like a metronome, steady, quite rapid, and doesn't seem to vary in tempo. I only hear it under throttle while I'm in gear (any gear), and goes away when I let off the throttle and coast (in gear or in neutral). It doesn't happen if I rev the engine in neutral. Only when in gear.
Like I said, it's not loud, just soft and annoying. And of course you worry that it's an indication of something that's beginning to fail and may cause expensive damage if not fixed now.
>> Edited by 99whitev8 on Saturday 24th December 02:31
Perhaps it's the boost solenoid. It's usually only activated in the upper gears to allow boost beyond the wastegate settings, but if you have an upgraded ECM it could activate in all gears. It's pulsed by the ECM under heavy throttle. You can check it by disconnecting the electrical connector and see if the clicking stops.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Did you check this thread?
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=221381&f=17&h=0
Sounds real similar and seems to be a fairly common occurence.
Cheers,
Jim
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=221381&f=17&h=0
Sounds real similar and seems to be a fairly common occurence.
Cheers,
Jim
My, you blokes must have ears of an Elephant!!!!
I don't think that I could ever hear a solenoid cycling whilst under way. (I like whilst - it was on the sunroof warning sticker). The initial thing that came to mind was either a bearing or a problem with a half shaft. Either the cv joint or something wrapped around the shaft itself like a playing card on a bicycle spoke. Unfortunately those would all be speed dependant. Same with anything related to the engine. You do hear the AC compressor kicking in or the electric vacuum pump but an itty bitty solenoid?
I honestly find it hard to imagine any of us having the ability to hear a relay clicking or a solenoid engaging over an Esprits kind of background noise. That'd be a very marketable talent with the foreign service. Now I'm forced to go out and give it a try myself.
Steve
Maybe just do what my wife always does, turn up the music.
I don't think that I could ever hear a solenoid cycling whilst under way. (I like whilst - it was on the sunroof warning sticker). The initial thing that came to mind was either a bearing or a problem with a half shaft. Either the cv joint or something wrapped around the shaft itself like a playing card on a bicycle spoke. Unfortunately those would all be speed dependant. Same with anything related to the engine. You do hear the AC compressor kicking in or the electric vacuum pump but an itty bitty solenoid?
I honestly find it hard to imagine any of us having the ability to hear a relay clicking or a solenoid engaging over an Esprits kind of background noise. That'd be a very marketable talent with the foreign service. Now I'm forced to go out and give it a try myself.
Steve
Maybe just do what my wife always does, turn up the music.
Yes,
I have the same noise in my 99. Sounds like a valve tapping at low RPM but doesn't increase with more RPM. Others have mentioned this noise recently. I have also been having problems with controlling my heater vent distribution that I believe is partially vacuum assisted.
Are there vacuum pieces and parts behind the drivers head under the removable panel to the left of the engine? This seems to be where the noise is from.
Does your clicking go away after driving for a while? I think mine does.
I really don't think its a wheel bearing thing because its not load dependant to get the noise going. Let me know if you find the gremlin. I don't like clicking noises.
I have the same noise in my 99. Sounds like a valve tapping at low RPM but doesn't increase with more RPM. Others have mentioned this noise recently. I have also been having problems with controlling my heater vent distribution that I believe is partially vacuum assisted.
Are there vacuum pieces and parts behind the drivers head under the removable panel to the left of the engine? This seems to be where the noise is from.
Does your clicking go away after driving for a while? I think mine does.
I really don't think its a wheel bearing thing because its not load dependant to get the noise going. Let me know if you find the gremlin. I don't like clicking noises.
Guys,
Believe me its the purge-valve-solenoid ... this one is clearly audible (if you have the absolute hearing/ear ;o)
On the V8 it usually comes on (if it comes on at all) 1-3 minutes after startup and will go away after 5-15 minutes.
Its a clicking noise with a frequency around 4Hz. It does not vary with rpm and/or speed. Its just there or not.
Marcus
www.PUKesprit.de
>> Edited by Paula&Marcus on Tuesday 20th December 17:15
Believe me its the purge-valve-solenoid ... this one is clearly audible (if you have the absolute hearing/ear ;o)
On the V8 it usually comes on (if it comes on at all) 1-3 minutes after startup and will go away after 5-15 minutes.
Its a clicking noise with a frequency around 4Hz. It does not vary with rpm and/or speed. Its just there or not.
Marcus
www.PUKesprit.de
>> Edited by Paula&Marcus on Tuesday 20th December 17:15
Thanks, perhaps the charcoal-purge solenoid is the likely culprit. At high RPMs I don't hear the clicking but only because you can't hear ANYTHING when that engine is howling through the sports exhaust! 
The clicking does indeed appear after a minute of driving and then disappear after about 10-15 minutes. It's still cause for worry though because I may be wearing out the solenoid. (?)
Questions:
1. Could the cold weather be a factor or is this a 'wear-and-tear' phenomenon?
2. Is this something I should be worried about and fix right away?
3. Is that solenoid at a spot accessible to someone with a limited toolbox and mechanical experience (i.e., me)?
>> Edited by 99whitev8 on Saturday 24th December 22:59
The clicking does indeed appear after a minute of driving and then disappear after about 10-15 minutes. It's still cause for worry though because I may be wearing out the solenoid. (?) Questions:
1. Could the cold weather be a factor or is this a 'wear-and-tear' phenomenon?
2. Is this something I should be worried about and fix right away?
3. Is that solenoid at a spot accessible to someone with a limited toolbox and mechanical experience (i.e., me)?
>> Edited by 99whitev8 on Saturday 24th December 22:59
Matthew,
1. Yes, weather is a factor it seems to come on more likely when its cold(er) ...
2. No, not at all ... its normal ! You should be worried when it does not do the clicking sound (+the MIL lamp would come on)
3. IIRC the solenoid is attached to the firewall top-front-left side of the engine bay, actuall its right "behind" your left ear ... thats why you can hear it ...
IMHO no need for getting the toolbox ....
Marcus
>> Edited by Paula&Marcus on Thursday 29th December 16:02
1. Yes, weather is a factor it seems to come on more likely when its cold(er) ...
2. No, not at all ... its normal ! You should be worried when it does not do the clicking sound (+the MIL lamp would come on)
3. IIRC the solenoid is attached to the firewall top-front-left side of the engine bay, actuall its right "behind" your left ear ... thats why you can hear it ...
IMHO no need for getting the toolbox ....
Marcus
99whitev8 said:
Thanks, perhaps the charcoal-purge solenoid is the likely culprit. At high RPMs I don't hear the clicking but only because you can't hear ANYTHING when that engine is howling through the sports exhaust!
Questions:
1. Could the cold weather be a factor or is this a 'wear-and-tear' phenomenon?
2. Is this something I should be worried about and fix right away?
3. Is that solenoid at a spot accessible to someone with a limited toolbox and mechanical experience (i.e., me)?
>> Edited by 99whitev8 on Saturday 24th December 22:59
>> Edited by Paula&Marcus on Thursday 29th December 16:02
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