Clicking sound from under passenger side dashboard

[giuliot60]

Hi all.

I've recently purchased my 81 and was running the engine for the first time today. I noticed a clicking sound coming from under the passenger side dashboard area. It clicks about every second. I first thought it was the hazard lights or directionals, but they were both off.

Is it from my ECU? Any ideas?

Thanks!

[divace73]

check if there has been an after market car alarm installed and it could have something to do with the door chime/ seat belt reminder??

[So Cal Mark]

there are several relays under the glove box but rest assured there isn't anything in the ecu that clicks

[giuliot60]

Come to think of it, I did have the driver's door open. I'll see if closing the door gets rid of it. Don't think it had an alarm installed, but I will ask PO.

Glad to know it's not anything to do with the ECU. The PO gave me a second ECU. How do I know it's good?

[gaven]

I'm having the same problem and in addition my windshield wipers aren't working and I can't help but think that this might be related. Is the relay/wiper circuit under the passenger dash? I've isolated the sound to a little box with wires coming out of it. I just got the car and don't really know my way around it yet so this is just a bit of a shot in the dark until I get some kind of shop manual.

[gaven]

... Note it clicks all the time. even when the doors are closed and I'm driving. When I put my finger in this little box I can feel it clicking and this is why I'm thinking it's some kind of malfunctioning relay (wipers?)

[giuliot60]

Yes, mine does the same gaven. Keeps clicking even with doors closed. The relay under the dash appears to be the one closest to the engine. I hear there are two screws to unscrew then the panel folds down for access.

My wipers aren't working either. PO installed a new wiper motor with a variable switch. There's a wire disconnected from it and I haven't decided which prong it goes on. I think we may have the same exact problem. Keep me updated, and I'll do the same.

[nelsonj]

Does it have a disconnected A/C unit? Mine would run intermittently and create a clicking sound. I finally pulled everything out.

[giuliot60]

No Nelson, mine does not have AC.

[gaven]

Mine doesn't have an AC either but I was able to make the clicking stop today. It was something to do with my wipers. I actually hadn't spent any more time trouble shooting it but I was driving along and it was driving me insane so I just started moving the wiper lever and intermittent dial around and was able to get it to stop. Wiper lever down and dial all the way CCW (I'm assuming this is off although I don't have the user manual). This was one of the first things I had already tried this before with no success, go figure. So clicking solved but problem not solved. I still have no wipers and I have to determine if it is the wiper switch, intermittent circuit or something to do with the relay. The really was doing the clicking but I don't think it is necessarily the culprit.

[gaven]

I've got my hands on a wiring diagram and I'm suspecting there's a cruddy connection or contact somewhere that's causing a voltage drop that doesn't allow the wiper motors to go but may be just enough to cause the relays to go clicking on and off. Giuliot60 I'll keep you posted when I find out where it is as it does sound like we're having the same issue.

[giuliot60]

So it was related to my wipers. I moved the switch and it went away. So did I leave it alone? No. I decided to connect the disconnected wiper, started the car turned the aftermarket switch and the wipers worked, but within seconds the car stalled and now won't start, and most of the electrical doesn't work. Headlights work, heater fan works, as does the starter, but the directionals, hazards, gas gauge, clock, don't.

Now I have to figure out why.

I will be starting another post related to this situation, so if anyone has any idea why, please chime in.

Thanks!

[divace73]

you could have a power distrubution problem??
Do a search on the brown wire fix and also have the wiring diagram be your best friend

[giuliot60]

I will do that David, thanks.

[salieri124]

Did you guys figure out what was causing the clicking sound?
Thanks