I have a strange ticking coming from car. Its driving me crazy. Maybe it'll blow! I don't know. Any suggestions where to look. Here are the symptoms.

It sounds like it is coming from the passenger side front. I thought it was a nail in the tire because it sounds like it is vehicle speed dependent. When stopped, the ticking stops. When approaching a stop, you can hear a tick every 5 ft traveled. At 20 mph, I counted 20 ticks in 10 seconds. At 40 mph, I counted about 40 ticks per 10 sec. I rolled the passenger side window down, and the ticking becomes faint - maybe because of the road noise - maybe because the sound is coming from inside the car. When driving at 20mph or so, I shifted into neural and rev'd it up ... the ticking remained constant. Then, when driving at 20mph or so, I shifted to neutral, turned the key off and ... the ticking stopped.

I thought it was in the motor but its not rev dependent but it does stop when the engine stops. I thought it was in the tire, break, driveshaft, trans, ... but it stops when the engine stops ... I don't know. Any ideas where to look?

Thanks to all ...

What am I missing? I'll run a test if you need more data. But it seems that its inside the car ... ???

 

rear parking brake drum pads lost a spring and is rubbing on drum of rear hub. happened to me, took forever to figure out

Mk

 

It could be the O2 sensor counter - located in the area between the passenger door sill and the seat.

Remove the access cover and unplug the little box you find in there. No adverse affects to deactivating it.

 

It's the counter for the oxygen sensor. I have an 83' here that does the same thing. It'l located in the cavity on the right side of the passenger seat and really doesn't do much of anyything if you properly maintain your car, just reminds you to change your O2 sensor.

(drove Garrity nuts for a while figuring it out until I relieved his worried mind...........)

Dave
Motorsport

 

Sorry, Randy beat me to it. I guess I shouldn't take so much time typing.

Dave
Motorsport

 

Wow ! Sounds good. I'm glad to know that the noise might not be coming from inside my ... head !I'm going to check it out tomorrow and let you know.

 

LOL...I have the same exact thing with the 82. It just never was important enough for me to disconnect it. Once you get moving, you never hear it above 10mph. Wrap it in foam, that may help.

 

True, you really don't hear it over ... maybe 30. But, part of the problem was that it was really messing with my brain ... trying to figure out what it was. For me, it was like having a clock in your bedroom that ticks really loud ... tick ... tick ... tick ... tick ... and its 2:00 o'clock in the morning and it drives you nuts wondered why is it there ... I guess I'm distracted easily. But, I'll disconnect it to make sure ... then try wrapping it or maybe ... look for a set of headers. You guys are great. Thanks.
Tim

 

Tim, just noticed you are from Bucks County...how close to New Hope? Grew up in Union County NJ about 45min away. Was just in New Hope in Oct. Beautiful area. Considered buying an old stone farmhouse out there.

 

I rebuilt the passengers front wheel bearing before I finally found (and disconnected) the O2 counter by the passengers seat! I agree they are noisy though mine didn't click quite as often as you report.

 

With the cover pulled off ... the counter was much louder. Bingo ! I unplugged it and am loving life.
Thanks guys.
Tim