Hey all RX-8 Gurus,

My question is about when I'm warming up my car I hear a clicking sound from under the hood.

It's not every second just every 30-45 seconds I hear a click noise.

Is this normal or something I should worry about?

I usually have the heater running and that's it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Normal

Search, it's only been talked about 100 times before

Enjoy!

 

Its probably an idle position sensor of some sort. Personally I've never noticed it in my 8. But I have noticed it in my Explorer. I had one go bad in an Explorer Sport Trax I used to have.

 

If Pico says it has been discussed here before run a search. I'm going to do the same just to educate myself.

 

Did an advanced search for "Clicking Sound" and got like 100 threads. Sorted by relevancy, read the first 10 threads and didn't find anything.

 

I read also and determined that is is most likely an issue with your spark plug wires not being properly seated in the coil pack. Did we read the same posts?

 

Is it a single click, or repeated series of chattering, every 30-45 seconds?

 

Charles did I read the other links correctly? Is this the possible cause of the clicking issue?

 

I am thinking that it may not only be poor spark plug wire connection to the plugs, but it may also be the purge solenoid doing it's job. That depends on the exact nature of the noise, though. The purge solenoid vents fuel tank fumes to the intake manifold and when it is active, it makes a chattering noise that sounds just like a boost-controller solenoid (because they are nearly identical in design).

 

Single Click.

 

Is it possible that it is the exhaust system expanding as the engine heats up? (especially if you have an aftermarket exhaust system)

I would still check the plug wires as they are notorious for the terminals at the spark plug loosening over time. You can usually gently pinch the plug boot and that will firm up the connection.

 

Awesome! Thanks Charles. I'll do that!

 

Have you ruled out the compressor clutch?

 

I'm pretty sure what you are hearing is your cooling fan cutting on and off. The relays on the fan cutting open and closed can click pretty loud. Listen close and see if the clicks coincide with the fan cutting on and off.... The cooling fan cycles whenever the heat is on or the AC button is pushed on. Try cutting your heater/AC fan to 0 while it is warming up and see if the clicking noise stops.

 

Could be air pump shutting off as well since its single click only when cold started... Normal to hear it

 

Vegas bookmakers have lateralus suggestion of cooling fans clicking on as the favorite at present - odds at 5 to 3. Charles Hill suggestion of insecure spark plug wire in the #2 slot at 2 to 1. Rotary Machine RX suggestion of air pump shut off in the #3 spot at 4 to 1.

Happy Holidays to All !!!

 

Warmed it up without the heater being on. Not a single click. It was most definitely the heater I was hearing.