Ticking sound and screeching noise

[colin129]

Ticking sound:

I can hear this ticking sound coming from under the passenger seat, which sounds like a relay clicking over.

It doesn't happen all the time, sometimes I don't I hear it at all. When it does, it is from start up. It doesn't appear to have any effect on anything in the car or during running, but clearly something is clicking and it would be nice to know what so that it can be replaced, or banged on the ground to free it up.

Any ideas?

Screeching noise:

When I start the engine I get this screeching noise like the starter isn't turning over, which was quite alarming the first time. It occurred after I had not run the car for a while, so I assumed something had temporarily seized up. I found that if I waited a couple of seconds before cranking the engine, then it started fine.

Anyway, it actually does it all the time. If I crank the engine straight away, screeching sound, engine does not turnover. Wait a few moments before starting, engines turns over and starts fine.

Could it be a loose belt, or something? Why would waiting a couple of seconds make a difference if it was?


Any suggestions gratefully received, I have a service/MOT due, so that anything difficult can be sorted out in few weeks time.

 

[Dekker]

Ticking sound:

I can hear this ticking sound coming from under the passenger seat, which sounds like a relay clicking over.

It doesn't happen all the time, sometimes I don't I hear it at all. When it does, it is from start up. It doesn't appear to have any effect on anything in the car or during running, but clearly something is clicking and it would be nice to know what so that it can be replaced, or banged on the ground to free it up.

Any ideas?

Screeching noise:

When I start the engine I get this screeching noise like the starter isn't turning over, which was quite alarming the first time. It occurred after I had not run the car for a while, so I assumed something had temporarily seized up. I found that if I waited a couple of seconds before cranking the engine, then it started fine.

Anyway, it actually does it all the time. If I crank the engine straight away, screeching sound, engine does not turnover. Wait a few moments before starting, engines turns over and starts fine.

Could it be a loose belt, or something? Why would waiting a couple of seconds make a difference if it was?


Any suggestions gratefully received, I have a service/MOT due, so that anything difficult can be sorted out in few weeks time.

The screeching sound could be a belt, easy enough to check them. With age they tend to stretch and the inner surfaces start cracking. Your handbook should show you how to check the slack in the belt and it is adjusted using the shims in the pulley. If they haven't been changed in ages it's just easier to replace them both. If not the belts it could be the alternator bearing on it's way out.
As for the ticking sound' it could be the DME control unit under the seat. This works in conjunction with the DME relay mounted alongside the fuses.
Any hesitancy in starting or cutting out whilst driving the relay is a good place to start, replace it.
Keep us in the loop with what you find, David.

 

[colin129]

Will do David.

Problem is, especially with the ticking sound, if it is isn't replicated during the service, then they won't be able to do anything about it.

If I can say, "I have this ticking sound coming from under the seat and someone suggested it might be the DME control unit" then they have something to look at, at least.

Any other suggestions gratefully received.

 

[colin129]

So, the ticking sound they could not find as it didn't do it for them. It doesn't happen all the time, only occasionally.

The screeching noise is the starter motor. It is a solenoid fault, something about it holding on, instead of releasing. The cure is a new starter motor, waiting to hear the cost. The good news is that is unlikely to get any worse, I just have to change my starting procedure, by waiting a second or 2 before cranking the engine.

 

[Dekker]

Thanks for the update.
Try and get a refurbished starter, it'll be much cheaper.
I hope the mechs tried cleaning the throw gear and shaft to see if that was able to fix it?

 

[colin129]

Alright, so the ticking sound is something to do with the alarm system originally fitted to the car from new, which no longer works. Part of it has already been removed but there are some bits left over. The ticking sound was coming from the panel next to the passenger foot well by the diagnostics plug. There is a control unit in there form the old alarm system which is trying to do something, causing the ticking sound.

There are a few odd things hanging over from the old alarm system, mostly to do with the total closure operation, which no longer works. So, sometimes, I have to push the electric window switch up, before a push it down and I have to push the sunroof switch forward, to close, before pushing it back to open.

The solution, which is in my plans, is to remove all the old components of the old alarm system and get a new one fitted. JZM suggested a Sigma alarm, who they have been working with for many years, for £3 or 400.

 

[Dekker]

The alarm system controls the DME as well as the starter motor circuit, a 2 pronged attck on stopping someone making off with your pride and joy.
If you manage to get hold of the Alarm wiring diagram I'd be very happy to have a copy.
I had a Clifford Concept 650 fitted by some approved agents (read cowboys) who left the old system in place and just piggy backed off it, something I wasn't happy with. They also fixed the siren and controller in the engine bay screwed to the tinware. I had to replace the siren after driving through a tremendous 3hr thunderstorm in Germany that buggered it up.

 

[colin129]

The alarm system controls the DME as well as the starter motor circuit, a 2 pronged attck on stopping someone making off with your pride and joy.
If you manage to get hold of the Alarm wiring diagram I'd be very happy to have a copy.
I had a Clifford Concept 650 fitted by some approved agents (read cowboys) who left the old system in place and just piggy backed off it, something I wasn't happy with. They also fixed the siren and controller in the engine bay screwed to the tinware. I had to replace the siren after driving through a tremendous 3hr thunderstorm in Germany that ****ed it up.

Wouldn't know where to start looking

 

[Dekker]

I just have to change my starting procedure, by waiting a second or 2 before cranking the engine.

Having to wait a few seconds before cranking the engine sounds to me that it's the alarm system, or remanents of it, that is causing the problem. How would replacing the starter motor help that.
Just musings from afar.

 

[colin129]

So why the screeching noise?

The old alarm system has quite a lot to answer for, but not this.

 

[Burnsy]

Is the noise come from underneath the left hand (viewed from inside the car) seat. if it is, you need to get it sorted before your car will not start at all.

 

[Dekker]

The fact you are waiting a few minutes before starting your motor but with your key in the ignition and turned on. Is that what you're doing?

If that's the case, why would waiting a few minutes affect the screeching noise from the starter motor?

If the the solenoid is playing up or the shaft it runs on when it throws the gear into the flywheel, then it would happen anytime.

If it doesn't happen after waiting a few minutes with your ignition on then the alarm circuits are more than likely a problem or something in the electrics that connects to the solenoid.

 

[Ray]

What does the garage mechanic say the problem is?

Ray

 

[colin129]

Is the noise come from underneath the left hand (viewed from inside the car) seat. if it is, you need to get it sorted before your car will not start at all.

No, it's coming from behind the trim around the diagnostic plug. There is a control box for the old alarm system behind there.

The fact you are waiting a few minutes before starting your motor but with your key in the ignition and turned on. Is that what you're doing?

If that's the case, why would waiting a few minutes affect the screeching noise from the starter motor?

If the the solenoid is playing up or the shaft it runs on when it throws the gear into the flywheel, then it would happen anytime.

If it doesn't happen after waiting a few minutes with your ignition on then the alarm circuits are more than likely a problem or something in the electrics that connects to the solenoid.

It's a second, not a minute. My guess is something is sticking (the solenoid?) so it does not release immediately on application of current, but sticks for a moment before releasing.

 

[Dekker]

It's a second, not a minute. My guess is something is sticking (the solenoid?) so it does not release immediately on application of current, but sticks for a moment before releasing.

I'm not questioning that the solenoid maybe sticking not allowing the starting gear to disengage.

If you wait a second or 2 after turning on the ignition, and then when you turn the ignition to start and the solenoid releasies OK and so there is no screeching.

If you turn the ignition on and immediately start the engine the only thing that can keep the soleniod from disengaging properly is :-
1) a mechanical defect that stops the solenoid releasing. If this was the cause then why doesn't it happen all the time?
2) an electrical problem because there's residual voltage being applied after you've released the key. This could be from the faulty alarm modules and would also explain the clicking sound from the control box near the diagnostic plug.