Car Trouble
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
Car Trouble
There's a strange clicking going on w/ my 1986 Vette. It sounds like a clock's tick, but it's a little faster than a clock. It's not my blinkers, it's not my CD player. I can put my hand on the console just above the CD player and on the CD player and feel the pressure of teh clicking. It sounds like a lighter trying to be lit every .5 seconds. It does it when the key is out. It's sitting in my driveway clicking right now... would could it be?
Also, i have a digital display, and my gas gauge reads full WELL INTO half the tank. Then only one or two bars are taken away when it's almost time to refill. When i refill, it always goes back to the top. Can u help either of these problems for me?
Also, i have a digital display, and my gas gauge reads full WELL INTO half the tank. Then only one or two bars are taken away when it's almost time to refill. When i refill, it always goes back to the top. Can u help either of these problems for me?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
Re: Car Trouble (Cory00)
I guess i didn't mention that i checked my lights. That wasn't the problem either. Btw, it's been a little over an hour since my last post... the car is still in the driveway clicking away. I'm beginning to dislike my car...
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Re: Car Trouble (kscorvettekid)
If you've isolated that it's in the dash, my guess is that it's electrical. What I would do is....a little detective work.
1. Pull & replace the fuses one at a time, and see if the noise goes away. When it does (I'm betting it will), look and see what is on that circuit. Now you have it isolated a little better.
2. Remove the plastic console components and, if necessary, the dash pad. If the noise is in there, you will definitely find it. The dash on these cars is fairly simple and straightforward to take apart. A mechanic's stethescope might be helpful.
3. Don't dislike the car. I'm 99.9999% sure this is a very MINOR problem. I'm taking a wild stab in the dark and guessing that you have a faulty relay somewhere that is causing the annoying noise, and when you finally track it down and fix it, you will be surprised at how simple a problem it was. Vettes are quirky. It's part of their appeal.
Have fun looking for the gremlin, let us know what you find. :cheers: :cheers:
OH....BTW,....your gas guage problem is most likely the sending unit in the tank. Not hard to replace, but pricey.
[Modified by Frizlefrak, 1:42 AM 6/17/2003]
1. Pull & replace the fuses one at a time, and see if the noise goes away. When it does (I'm betting it will), look and see what is on that circuit. Now you have it isolated a little better.
2. Remove the plastic console components and, if necessary, the dash pad. If the noise is in there, you will definitely find it. The dash on these cars is fairly simple and straightforward to take apart. A mechanic's stethescope might be helpful.
3. Don't dislike the car. I'm 99.9999% sure this is a very MINOR problem. I'm taking a wild stab in the dark and guessing that you have a faulty relay somewhere that is causing the annoying noise, and when you finally track it down and fix it, you will be surprised at how simple a problem it was. Vettes are quirky. It's part of their appeal.
Have fun looking for the gremlin, let us know what you find. :cheers: :cheers:
OH....BTW,....your gas guage problem is most likely the sending unit in the tank. Not hard to replace, but pricey.
[Modified by Frizlefrak, 1:42 AM 6/17/2003]
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
Re: Car Trouble (Frizlefrak)
Thank you so much for the help. I've never had someone help me with the problems i've had like you just did. I really appreciate it. I went out there to check after reading your post, and it's still clicking. I'm gonna drive my car to work tomorrow, clock in, and do exactly as you said. Thanx again.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,655
Likes: 430
From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Car Trouble (kscorvettekid)
Mine was clicking like yours and ended up dying in the garage...finally had to disconnect the battery to stop the clicks...turned out to be a bad ECM...replaced it and no problems now... good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 2
From: Wake Forest, NC
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Car Trouble (Fuzzy Dice)
Don't mean to hijack your post, but this is sorta on topic...
My fuel gauge is doing the same thing. I figured it was the sending unti but didn't knwo where it was located. Frizlefrak said it's in the tank. Is it in the same location as the fuel pump? I was thinking of replacing my fuel pump anyway so I may as well do both at the same time.
My fuel gauge is doing the same thing. I figured it was the sending unti but didn't knwo where it was located. Frizlefrak said it's in the tank. Is it in the same location as the fuel pump? I was thinking of replacing my fuel pump anyway so I may as well do both at the same time.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Re: Car Trouble (Saisling)
Don't mean to hijack your post, but this is sorta on topic...
My fuel gauge is doing the same thing. I figured it was the sending unti but didn't knwo where it was located. Frizlefrak said it's in the tank. Is it in the same location as the fuel pump? I was thinking of replacing my fuel pump anyway so I may as well do both at the same time.
My fuel gauge is doing the same thing. I figured it was the sending unti but didn't knwo where it was located. Frizlefrak said it's in the tank. Is it in the same location as the fuel pump? I was thinking of replacing my fuel pump anyway so I may as well do both at the same time.
As for the clicking, does it sound like it's right behind the information panel in the center of the dash? There are 2 relays here, one for the horn, one for the security system. Does your security system work at the moment? When you lock the drivers door with the power lock button, does "security" light up in the information panel? There is also a turn signal flasher, and I believe the hazard flasher located in this area also. There is a fuse behind the information panel also, it is related to the security system. Not sure what we're hunting here, but these are just things to look at. I would start with pulling fuses as suggested earlier. Good luck :cheers:
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
Re: Car Trouble (JCAIRE2)
Wow guys, VERY VERY helpful information about the clicking. (Esp. from you JCAIRE2) A few days before i had the problem with the clicking, i had replaced the power lock switches. Replacing the switches didn't get the lock to work, But at least it had a button that would work if it could... Anywayz, the clicking problem was taken care of when i checked the fuses to see if any were blown. It turns out one was blown and when i put a new one in, the passenger side locks work on both power lock switches (wonder why the driver's side still doesn't lock/unlock :(). Also, the security light you were talking about in the console DOES blink when the car is unlocked, and holds steady when the doors are locked. I LOVE IT! (What's it do though? What's the point?)I've never seen a system like that. What else does my car do that i haven't got to see working?
Mack
p.s. my gas tank still reads full 90 miles into the tank :(
Mack
p.s. my gas tank still reads full 90 miles into the tank :(
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Re: Car Trouble (kscorvettekid)
Did the clicking go away??
Anyhow, your security system works as follows; With the car off and the door open, the "security" light will flash. You activate the security system by locking the door with the power lock button (gotta get those working). When you do this, the "security" light will stay on. When you close the door, the alarm is activated, and the starter is disabled. If the door is opened without using the key, the horn will honk and the car won't start. To deactivate the alarm, just unlock the door with the key, and open the door. Security light will now flash again.
It sounds like your clicking is related either to the power locks or security system. If the driver's door power lock still isn't working even with a new switch, it's time to tear into that door and find out why. If it's getting power, the door lock motor is probably shot.
Anyhow, your security system works as follows; With the car off and the door open, the "security" light will flash. You activate the security system by locking the door with the power lock button (gotta get those working). When you do this, the "security" light will stay on. When you close the door, the alarm is activated, and the starter is disabled. If the door is opened without using the key, the horn will honk and the car won't start. To deactivate the alarm, just unlock the door with the key, and open the door. Security light will now flash again.
It sounds like your clicking is related either to the power locks or security system. If the driver's door power lock still isn't working even with a new switch, it's time to tear into that door and find out why. If it's getting power, the door lock motor is probably shot.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
Re: Car Trouble (Frizlefrak)
WOW! I HAVE A BUILT-IN CAR ALARM!???! HAHAHAHA! my friends will be so jealous ;) My horn won't work, so i guess i can't test that car alarm theory yet... Oh man i can't wait. On second thought, if my power locks didn't work, and the motor on one side is shot, and the horn is disconnected; the car alarm probably won't work either.... Grrrrrrr!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Re: Car Trouble (kscorvettekid)
WOW! I HAVE A BUILT-IN CAR ALARM!???!
BTW....if you didn't know all this, don't feel bad. Years back when I first bought my 84, I remember one night standing outside Baskin Robins with a car that wouldn't start, the horn blaring and attracting attention, and my dear wife desperately reading the owners manual trying to figure it all out. After explaining to the police that I really did own the car, we finally got it figured out.
[Modified by Frizlefrak, 2:26 AM 6/19/2003]
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Bristol CT
Re: Car Trouble (kscorvettekid)
p.s. my gas tank still reads full 90 miles into the tank :(
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 1
From: "Drive like Hell, you'll get there faster." Tucson AZ
Re: Car Trouble (kscorvettekid)
Maybe it's a bomb. LoL you just better hope it isn't the cig lighter. I don't think they make a clicking noise like you described, but sometimes when they're used alot, there's a mechanism on them that keeps them connected even when the car is off and then it starts to drain the battery like crazy.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Florence Ky
Not sure if you are still having problems but it sounds very similiar to the one I have.... If you have resolved this please let me know how. Here is what I have found with my problem... The clicking is exactly as you describe. I have found the if I arm the security system the clicking stops (thus why I think it is the security system). If I unlock the drivers side door with the key and open it the clicking starts. If however, I open the passenger side door with the key and open it the clicking is not present. This leads me to believe the problem is in the driver side door lock... but I am not sure if it is the lock, something attached, etc. Try both door locks to see if either will stop the clicking.