Engine Clicking Noise - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Jaredjon · 06-01-2005, 11:06 PM

2003 Corolla LE began making a clicking noise, sounds like a relay going off.... during idling. I can hear it inside the vehicle if the radio and air is off. My friend and I popped the hood and found the noise to be coming from the PWM Vacuum Switch near the airbox. We disconnected the switch temporarily and sure enough, the sound went away. The car just turned to 20K miles today...

Is this a common clicking and have I just never heard this before? It's definately noticeable and I can't imagine letting it go 20K before noticing it for the first time. If it should not be making this noise, can I just replace something and be done with it?

Let me know... I don't want my car getting more sick letting this go on too long.

Thanks!

Jaredjon · 06-08-2005, 10:13 PM

Since no one had an answer, the car took a visit to the dealership yesterday - I didn't tell them what I thought the noise was - which if you know, you just don't do - or they won't do the proper diagnostics. Well, after 4 hours and 12 miles on the car, it is what I thought it was... they said at our altitude and with the warm weather, it's completely normal. I got it in writing so if it causes a huge mess after the warrenty is done, hopefully they will fix it.

thought you all would like to know.

4Aaron GE · 06-08-2005, 10:20 PM

At this point, I would suggest that you get a second opinion. Are there are other dealers that are local to you?

2001rolla · 06-08-2005, 10:30 PM

Not only a second opinion but also REPLACE IT ASAP!!! I don't know who told you its normal but it is not normal and should have been replaced. They probably didn't want to deal with warranty...

If you can actually hear it over the engine noise then it's time to replace it.

A dealership's inability to diagnose and repair and problem with my car led to me needing to replace the entire motor because the problem continued and caused a rod to bend and spin a bearing.

Jaredjon · 06-09-2005, 08:36 AM

You can hear it over the engine - inside the car! There is one other dealership in town I could try. I have NEVER heard the noise until recently and they say that "it's about time you did hear it".

It sounds like a relay going off or cycling very rapidly. I tried going to a local auto repair shop and they say it's a dealer only part. What do I do if the other dealership says the same thing?

Jaredjon · 06-09-2005, 09:20 AM

Okay guys - I made an appointment at the Motor City Toyota dealership. This one is 30 minutes away (not like the other which is walking distance...) and it's on Monday. Again, I won't tell them what I think it is - just tell them I hear something weird ----you can't miss it!

If they say it's normal, I think I will ask for them to start another 03 Corolla in the shop and prove that it is normal. I don't know what other options would be but next time drive out of town, to Denver or something and just stay up there all day. Any thoughts?

Anyone else have to deal with a dealer on a warrenty repair and have a suggestion on how to handle this?

karazy · 06-09-2005, 09:23 AM

The problem may not be the switch. It sounds like it's working just fine. The control for the sw/ comes from the ecu/encoder, which in turn gets its data from sensors. It doesn't make sense that it would switch on and off like that. I'm surprised that you did not get a CEL. I would defintely get a second opinion or find another car at a dealer and see if it does the same thing.

Jaredjon · 06-09-2005, 09:29 AM

I have never had a CEL show up - which is weird, you would think I would. There is a possibility that it isn't cycling on and off - it's the only way I can describe the sound though - just a very rapid (loud) relay. Sounds almost like the turn signal at 5 times the speed running in the engine.

I know it's the vaccuum switch too, because when I unplug it, the sound does disappear... but I think it's bad for the car to leave it off.

Jaredjon · 06-12-2005, 01:31 AM

I got my second opinion today - the noise IS normal... I first had the car inspected and all came out normal. Before leaving, I requested that a new car be pulled off the lot and be parked next to mine. I personally went and "test drove" one at random. Sure enough, it is normal to make the noise it is. I did not, however, I was unable to hear it inside the car like I do on mine. I could only hear it in the engine compartment.

The only thing, at this point that I can think of, that would make the noise noticeable in the car is that I installed my fog lights, in which I opened the rubber grommet in the firewall more. Perhaps it isn't sealed as well as it used to, allowing some sound to leak into the car.

I am relieved, however, to find that it is normal and that there is nothing to worry about. Requesting to pull a new car off the is a good recommendation if you feel the dealership may be taking you for a ride - just make sure you choose the car. If they refuse, just request a test drive later and find out for yourself if you car is normal. I'm glad my car is normal!