Noisy Relay (?) Behind the Dash

[Igeo]

My '87 2.1 has what sounds like a relay behind the dash somewhere that makes a clicking noise from time to time. There does not seem to be any pattern to when this happens. It can be quiet for a few days, then out of the blue it will rattle. No noticeable effect, just a random clicking for a few moments then quiet again. I don't think its around the fuse panel, as it sounds more central behind the dash. Anybody had this happen?
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1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual

[AceTaylor]

If you have power windows, one of the switched may be stuck in position.

[Squidfish]

All seems well with your cooling system? I was having some issues recently which I attributed to it.
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1985.5 - Vanagon Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg Edition - LH8U - "Penny"
- 2.6i 5-Cylinder 10v (2004)

[brickster]

Could it be speedometer unit or the cable?

[Igeo]

Manual windows. Cooling system fine although lately, occasionally I do hear the radiator fan come on for a short time on a cold start. Speedo is smooth.
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1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual

[djkeev]

Mice chewing your wires as you roll along?

An object in your blower fan that randomly moves about?

Dave
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[4Gears4Tires]

[brickster]

[fxr]

[eeebee]

My new flasher relay will do that sometimes since it was replaced. The new one will be quite until i use the blinkers the first time then it will continue to click until the car ignition is turned off.
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Eric

1987 Vanagon Wolfsburg Special Edition
GoWesty 2.3

Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half of the time.

[DuncanS]

X3 with Eric.

[Igeo]

It's definitely not a speedo cable noise. It's a random clicking that happens while driving...I'll look at that flasher relay.
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1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual

[DuncanS]

While it's doing it, turn on the flasher switch and see if the indicator light is steady or blinks or it it stops the clicking.

[beach_creature]

I had a similar issue at one point. I feel like it may have been attributed to grounds or corrosion of the connects of the relays. But that was a while back and I can’t fully remember. Might be worth looking at.
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84 Westy
1.9TD AAZ
5spd manual with Locking Peloquin TBD

[Steve M.]

One thing to do if you have not tried it and if you do not have the cover over the relay panel is to reach down there while driving - palm up with the back of your fingers to feel the relays to see if you can feel any vibration.
Don't look at them - keep your eyes on the road!

Another thing you can do is when you hear it clicking is to turn something on that uses a relay to energize the relay fully. It might help to id it if the clicking stops immediately.

A relay is not going to activate unless it is getting power so that means a bad switch or a short in the wiring.

Or the negative ground for that relay is corroded and -12v power is having a hard time getting to it.
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[fleetwood41]

I have an intermittent and inconsistent clicking near the fuse panel in my 1987. It seems to be related to the brake lights because the clicking mostly happens just as I apply the brakes. If I recall correctly, a search on here (years ago) led me to believe that the brake lights and flashers may share a relay or something like that. I bought a new relay to replace it but lost the entire Vanagon tool/parts bag before I could get around to it.

Anyhoo, since everything seems to work fine, I never replaced it and it still clicks occasionally.

Happy Hunting!
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1987 2WD w/ 2.5 Subi & Poptop Conversion