Clicking Noise...?

[Selwyn]

Recently i've noticed a loud clicking noise after i start the engine, it lasts about 10 secs and can be heard near the steering column......... any ideas what this can be? is it anything to do with the servicing data system?

 

Car is a 1.4 sx automatic

 

Any help greatly appreciated.........................

[hertsnminds]

Could just be the tappets waiting to get some oil. Does it happen every time you start the engine or only from cold (being left more than an hour)?

 

 

Ian

Black 55 VTR+

[Guest CE05LDB]

My brothers previous C3 1.4i SX Auto used to do it now and again not very often

[Selwyn]

Its happens from cold, but only now and again, it doesn't seem to be coming from the engine, but just under the dash board near the steering wheel.

[Badlass]

I'm sorry I can't help you with what it is, but my SX auto does exactly the same.

 

Lx

[Guest Andrew]

Sounds like the same thing mine has. My guess is it's the rev meter. That is the only moving part near there and my old ZX had a noisy rev meter.

I haven't taken the dash board off my C3 yet, and I'm not so sure I want to, if it requires fiddling with the explosive charge in the steering wheel. :angry:

[iannez]

if your car has climate ctrl it could be one of the steppa motors that works the heater flaps. they click like mad when they go down.

[Guest CE05LDB]

My C3 Exclusive dosen't do it but I honestly think its a C3 SX Auto thing as I said in previous post my brothers C3 SX Auto did the same.

[Guest Andrew]

Well mine is a C3 Exclusive manual. Although I would describe the sound as more of a ticking than a clicking, and it's not usually very loud. So maybe it's not the same thing. :)

[stimulator]

Good point about the stepper motor, my SX 1.4HDi 92 (54 reg) started makiing a clicking noise which became louder. This occurred when the car was cold and first started. I found that i could induce the noise by selecting RECIRC on the heater system, select recirc, wait a few minutes then deselect RECIRC, result noise. took it to dealer they changed stepper motor as it's a common fault.

[Guest Andrew]

I've taken my dashboard/display unit out now. It's tiny! It is only about 2cm thick behind what you can see, one lead going to it and then a huge space behind! The only moving part is the rev meter and all the lights are surface mount LEDs.

[iannez]

the motors are on the drivers side of the heater box in the drivers footwell. remove the trim under the steering wheel to get to them.

[Guest CE05LDB]

Yeah but the C3 1.4i SX Auto has the clicking from new thats the way it is.