Electrical ticking from Starter switch (Electrical short)?

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Jan 4, 2008 | 12:19 PM

NW94Z

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Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 2,521

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From: Mill Creek Washington

Electrical ticking from Starter switch (Electrical short)?

So while I wait out the wonderful weather in Seattle I've been playing with my car in the garage and have noticed something odd to me. When I press the starter switch to turn on the accessory power there is an electrical shorting type sound before the power kicks on. It only lasts around a sec. Is this normal or do I maybe have a short behind the switch or somewhere in the dash to worry about.

Jan 4, 2008 | 12:27 PM

keg

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 819

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From: Chambersburg pa.

I'm not sure of the exact sound you heard but it could be a relay contact closing just before the circuit is made. I would think if you had a short circuit that GM engineers would have that circuit fuse protected and you would blow a fuse before anything becomes damaged.

Jan 4, 2008 | 01:14 PM

titanit

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Joined: Oct 2007

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From: Simi Valley CA

There was another post today asking about similar noises. I have noticed it when I get in the car and I am ASSUMING that it is the system recognizing the FOB and setting up for launch.

Jan 4, 2008 | 02:02 PM

Kent1999

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 6,486

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From: Las Vegas NV

Quote:

Originally Posted by titanit

There was another post today asking about similar noises. I have noticed it when I get in the car and I am ASSUMING that it is the system recognizing the FOB and setting up for launch.

I think it's just that... the normal sound of the car doing the challenge/response (looking for an authorized fob), and then the relays clicking closed to enable starting the car. I've heard it in every C6 I've been in. The weird thing is that I've kinda grown to like it...

Cheers,
Kent

Jan 4, 2008 | 02:30 PM

C6NRED

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Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 5,933

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From: The Beautiful Inland Empire WA.

I also posted something like this a while back and was told it was the AC vents cycling/closing...a short ZZZZZZZZZZZTTT!!! sound? That's what I described.......