Clicking from under dash

[ILuv2Skate578]

every time i start my 98 explorer sport, there is a clicking sound coming from a black box under the dash, all the interior overhead lights flash the windows, the windshield wipers, the windshield sprayers and other things will cut out everytime time it clicks, its been doin this for a while i figured it was because the battery in my truck was shot, i got a brand new battery and its still doing it... any ideas as to why its doing this I can't find it anywhere???

 

[ILuv2Skate578]

Please someone help!!

 

[DaExplorer]

Any chance you could post a photo of the black box to see if anyone could identify what it is. And where under the dash it is located.

 

[ILuv2Skate578]

Yea i can get pictures tomorrow morning, its located next to the very top of the accelerator and next to the steering arm...on top of all the clicking when the truck is off and the key is in it will click every 5 seconds and the warning chime will go off when it does

 

[RomeovilleIL]

If this suddenly started after months or years of normal operation then disregard the info below. If you just bought the truck and found this headache, read on:

Does the clicking and flashing happen BEFORE you start the truck and stop once it is running? If yes then it is likely an aftermarket alarm system. The simplest way to tell is if you have to press the unlock key before the truck will start (ignition interupter). The standard Ford system just runs PATS, meaning its works off the transponder key rather than the remote. These type of alarms were pretty popular about ten years ago - most dealership and many owners removed or disconnected the siren that was associated with them as it was annoying as all get out. They were installed with lot of cut wires and required a PATS override system so they are difficult to remove. I've seen about a dozen or so ford trucks with them installed, including my wife's truck. Another clue is the truck does not chirp the horn when you lock with the remote.

 

[ILuv2Skate578]

iv had it for two years now, it started about 8 months ago when my old battery started to go, it doesnt start till after the truck has been started but after the truck is turned off it will keep going until the key is taken out

im not to sure how to post pictures just yet

 

[SoNic67]

This site doesn't allow to post pictures for "free" members. Try using one of the numerous free pic hosting sites (I use Picasa Web).

 

[ILuv2Skate578]

ok
when its clicking if i put my hand on the box i can feel it clicking

 

[idamcg]

my truck is doing that too. what was the fix?

 

[sehaare]

my truck is doing that too. what was the fix?

Under the cover of that black box are several relays. The clicking you hear is a relay's contacts closing. the contacts are basically a switch that energizes different things in the car (like interior lights). If they are opening and closing it is called a chattering relay. that can be caused by either the relay going bad or the signal going to the relay's coil cycling causing the relay contacts to cycle with it (and chatter).

You can tell which relay is chattering by putting your hand on it when it happens and you will "feel" it chattering. So go ahead and take the cover off now so that the next time it starts chattering you can touch the relays and figure out which one is the issue. Most of those relays are pretty cheap so if you can figure out which one it is, I'd try replacing it first to see if that fixes the issue. If it doesn't, then the problem is with the signal going to the relay's coil and it will take much more troubleshooting to find the cause.

 

[J_C]

my truck is doing that too. what was the fix?

Battery Saver relay is most likely. I keep a spare in my console, though it's the same relay used for a few other things so a potential backup for multiple relays.

However you have a 2006. I can only guess there's still a relay box in the same/similar location... would make sense, rather than relocating it somewhere else considering the circuits it handles.