Clicking under the hood

[Cahones]

Hi all:

I have a 98 explorer with 4.0L SOHC.

I noticed lately, that when the battery is under load there is a clicking coming from under the hood.

It does it when I roll the power windows up, turn on heater etc, any time I place a load on the battery.

I checked voltage at battery, Cables and Alternator and all is fine.

A friend is trying to tell me it's the A/C needing recharge, however a/c works fine and is charged, clutch engages fine.

Not sure what else would be clicking like that. I tried narrowing it down by listening to it, but it's hard to nail down, sounds like it may be coming from left side around and it definitely sounds like a relay of some kind.

I just bough this and have already replaced lower ball joints, sway bar bushings and links, and the ever fun upper and lower intake manifold gaskets.

 

[albi1cnobi1]

If it's coming from the left side, try opening the battery distribution box near the firewall. All of the power relays are in there. With it open you might be able to pin point it easier.

 

[Cahones]

So, I had a better look at it today and it seems to be coming from the alternator. Makes a rapid clicking noise anytime it is under load. Could the alternator have a bad bearing in it causing this?

 

[Cahones]

Finally got the chance to have a look at it today....Turns out it was the Serpentine belt tensioner was shot.