Need some help. Over the last week I have heard a weird tick coming from under the hood. Last night I decided to check under the hood. Here is what is happening. The car is running, I hear a tick and the fan kicks on and runs for 3-4 seconds and shuts off. 30-40 seconds later same thing happens. Anyone have this problem, or know what this is.
Thanks for your help.

 

is it just one "tick" noise and the fan comes on? cause if so, thats likely just the cooling fan relay clicking on. or could be the AC fan if you have the car on a defrost setting it cycles the AC on and off on its own to remove moisture from the cabin and thus defrost/defog it.

Greg

 

HUH..nice I never knew that. I usually always have defrost on, I like heat on my windows.

 

ac compressor clutch engaging and disengaging..

beers

 

and to stop that? just turn off the defrost?

 

yep.

the defrost runs the ac..

beers

 

ya but I don't get that. Why would you run ac to when you want heat to defrost a frozen windshield?

 

humidity..

beers

 

like i said, the AC removes moisture from the air. you are still blowing heat, but the AC will do away with the humidity so that your car doesnt fog up. its not a problem with the car. this is just how it works.

and swoop, i forgot that the AC clutch made noise. haha. thats more than likely it as the fan relays arent loud compared to the AC clutch.

 

That's the same reason why they say if you get that "funky" smell when you turn on your AC in the summer you should run your defrost on full heat for a minute or two before shutting off the car each time you use the AC... it'll help dry out the filter and thus help prevent the funk from coming to visit.

Or you can not be a cheapass and just get the thing replaced...