Clicking relay?

[MML]

I mentioned this briefly in another thread but I thought I'd expand on it in case it wasn't noticed.
Anyway... the last couple of times I've started the car, I heard a clicking sound coming from the relay area. It clicks maybe 4 or 5 times. It happens with the key at position 2.
On checking more closely we found it was the little black box with blue prongs in the centre of this photo. Is this the RPM relay? The car starts up normally enough. Is this a sign of failure? I don't recall hearing it before.

http://i.imgur.com/wJvQ2Jc.jpg

[jawn101]

I mentioned this briefly in another thread but I thought I'd expand on it in case it wasn't noticed.
Anyway... the last couple of times I've started the car, I heard a clicking sound coming from the relay area. It clicks maybe 4 or 5 times. It happens with the key at position 2.
On checking more closely we found it was the little black box with blue prongs in the centre of this photo. Is this the RPM relay? The car starts up normally enough. Is this a sign of failure? I don't recall hearing it before.

http://i.imgur.com/wJvQ2Jc.jpg

That is the RPM relay. Are you sure that's the one clicking and not one of the large metal ones (main and aux) next to it? You can remove the relay from the compartment while it is still attached and feel if it's actually clicking. I had one of my main relays come loose inside and start shorting out against the case, making the exact noise you're describing. It was an easy and fast $15 fix, even though the vendors swore up and down that those relays never go bad.

[MML]

Yeah, it's that one alright... you can feel it if you put your finger on it! Is it a simple matter of replacing it or is it something worse? :frown:

[jawn101]

Yeah, it's that one alright... you can feel it if you put your finger on it! Is it a simple matter of replacing it or is it something worse? :frown:

Which one, the black and blue or the big metal ones?

Those big relays are pretty powerful, so make sure what you're feeling isn't coming from the relay next door :)

Here's a video I took when my main relay was acting up - if you listen carefully you can hear what it sounds like when the main is activating when it shouldn't be.

http://youtu.be/3dKJh9sutWs

[DMC5180]

A clicking RPM relay would likely cause the engine to quit. You say it's running normal. Same thing with the Main relay. You should see other things acting up.
I would have to guess it's either the DLM or the Thermal trip Circuit Breaker Clicking. With the DLM I've had instances of it clicking due to a weak or burned Door lock solenoid.

[MML]

Which one, the black and blue or the big metal ones?

Those big relays are pretty powerful, so make sure what you're feeling isn't coming from the relay next door :)

Here's a video I took when my main relay was acting up - if you listen carefully you can hear what it sounds like when the main is activating when it shouldn't be.

http://youtu.be/3dKJh9sutWs

Sorry, I worded that badly! Yeah it's definitely the RPM relay, you can feel it.

[MML]

A clicking RPM relay would likely cause the engine to quit. You say it's running normal. Same thing with the Main relay. You should see other things acting up.
I would have to guess it's either the DLM or the Thermal trip Circuit Breaker Clicking. With the DLM I've had instances of it clicking due to a weak or burned Door lock solenoid.

DLM, is that the lock module yeah? Never thought to check that...

[DMC5180]

DLM, is that the lock module yeah? Never thought to check that...

Door Lock Module. Probably the best thing for you do is to detach the module(s) from the tray. Any clicking vibrations will be isolated too the component and not falsely transmitted to other items.

Or just disconnect the 9-way module connector and see if the clicking goes away.

[MML]

Cheers guys, I'll see if I can isolate it any further. I tried it again a while ago, and the multiple clicking had stopped, as if it had gone back to normal! :hmm:

[Paulswpc]

A clicking RPM relay would likely cause the engine to quit. You say it's running normal. Same thing with the Main relay. You should see other things acting up.
I would have to guess it's either the DLM or the Thermal trip Circuit Breaker Clicking. With the DLM I've had instances of it clicking due to a weak or burned Door lock solenoid.

Dennis, My RPM relay is clicking as well. Maybe 5-6 times when the key is in the on position. The car will start right up, but then immediately dies. I tried jumping the relay (30 to 87) but the engine still dies. Is my relay bad? Thank you.

[vps3922]

I strongly recommend to contact Bitsyncmaster (http://dm-eng.weebly.com/) and get a solid state RPM relay. These things are awesome. Well worth the money. No clicking anymore.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Dennis, My RPM relay is clicking as well. Maybe 5-6 times when the key is in the on position. The car will start right up, but then immediately dies. I tried jumping the relay (30 to 87) but the engine still dies. Is my relay bad? Thank you.

If you still have a no start when you jumpered your RPM relay then you have another problem also. Are you sure the RPM relay is the one clicking? If one of your AUX relays is doing the clicking that will kill your engine. What is your battery voltage with the key turned to on?

[SIMid]

Is the A/C switched on to MAX?

Mine makes clicking noises in the fuse compartment only with the A/C on, but it's not the RPM relay that is clicking.

Just thought I throw that suggestion in the mix.