Ticking sound from dashboard
 

I have a ticking sound coming from the left hand side of the dashboard, about the location of the handbrake warning light. Is is possible for the ticking to continue even if the light has stopped flashing? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Your clock perhaps?

Is your handbrake light flashing ??

When do you hear the ticking ? Ignition on / off. Motor running ? RPM dependent ? Are the rest of your gauges working ?

Its not a bomb, is it ? ;)

It seems to be on the other side of the dashboard to the clock. I thought that might be the problem as the clock is not working so maybe it was stuck.

The handbrake light works but it still ticks after it is released and the light goes out. It starts after the ignition is switched on and is not dependent upon or varies with the revs. One thing I did notice was that sometimes both flasher warning lights glow slightly in the dark and the flasher stick is on its last legs. All other guages working, tacho a little bouncy.

Do a search here on the board. I have a vague recollection that there's something under the dash that needs to be reset. I have no idea if your car has one, but I thought this would be of some help. Sorry I couldn't be more specific.

Not that much back there on a '73. There are 3 possibilities:

1. An Al Queada sleeper cell was lodged back there and has now been re-activated. Contact FEMA and wiat 6 months.

2. The turn signal relay is getting wierd. It is the square one that can be reached thru one gauge hole and viewed thru another. Check ground stars first before going to a lot of trouble for access.

3. Most likely - the glass on the gauges is moving a bit and causing the ticking noise. If it happens when the car is warming up or cooling down after a run and does not persist too much, then this is likely it.

My car has an O2 warning light, and the mileage counter for it is under the speedo. My sense is that the earlier CIS cars don't have this light, though. If they do, this ticking can be stopped by disconnecting the ground wire that runs to the counter.

On the 82SC, I think there is a counter with a reset button for turning on the light for the oxygen sensor back there. That can make a ticking sound, but that shouldn't be on your car.

I had a similar ticking and someone stated that it was the O2 sensor and provided a way to eliminate it - disconnect a wire somewhere? I did not worry about it after I found out what it was. One way to check that it is electrical and not a bearing or suspension piece is have the car rolling and shut it off - the ticking will most likely stop.

Noisy speedo cable?

Thanks for all of the advice. Had my head in the footwell and turned on the ignition again, definate ticking sound as opposed to any moving guages. Have tried to disconnect the fuse for the stuck/not working clock, in case this is the problem, but my wiring diagram does not match what is in the car so I have not yet found the correct one, typical. How do I get to the turn signal relay? Are the dials detached from the rear, if so I assume I have to remove the air conditioning vents from the bottom of the dashboard?

Is there a relay back in there?

Paul
Unfortunately I can't see anything as it is all hidden by the A/C vents.

Try pulling some gauges and looking in through a hole w/ a flashlight.

Sean - I don't think there are any relays in the footwell ona stock '73. You might have had a PO who stuck a relay in for an alarm or stereo, etc...

re gauge removal - see my post above ^ - for more do a search - the term moron or morons should bring up the right thread.

There are two relays back behind the gauges on my '73.5.

Good luck and don't let it drive you crazy.

go down under and locate the master cylinder. remove the wire(s) from the switch on the side of it, and tape them up. brake warning light. you would know when there's a brake pressure problem, you don't need a light to tell you.

ticking sound
 

Check out this post, may be your answer...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/246576-problem-hella-alarm-box.html

factory alarm...

david

For the benefit of anyone requiring an answer in the future, the ticking stopped when I replaced the brake master cylinder. John Walker clearly had the answer! Thanks for all of the help though.