CoolName

A bit of oddity, did a search but nothing came up, so here it goes:

When I push the button to start the car - there is this fast clicking noise coming from the dash for about a second. The car starts fine (in all the previous posts on the forum the car usually doesn't start), I don't have any warning lights on, everything appears to work, it's just annoying, and I'm sure it's not supposed to do this

Any ideas?

Mister Bally

Did it suddenly start doing this or has it always done it? If you just got the the car and it has "always" done it for you, there could be some aftermarket crap like an alarm, sound system modification etc. making the noise. You'll have to search and find the cause.

jlbell

Sounds like it might be the MMI screen gears? Or maybe a relay? I hear the compressor relay click on every now and again. A video with the whole dash in view with you starting the car would be great, if you could capture that.

CoolName

Mister Bally - Yes, I just got it a few days ago and it has always done this. But there is nothing modified or after-market.

jlbell - the nav screen opens and closes without issues. The noise comes from the area under the speedometer. Are there relays in that area? I will try and post a short vid later today.

jlbell

There are a ton! I will see if I can post a diagram of the ones located there. I would take out your lower dash, be careful with the airbag, and listen to see if you hear the noise coming from the relay box. If you can post a video.

MP4.2+6.0

Yes, pull over dash and feel relay cases for vibration consistent with what you are hearing when starting car. Will be a bit of gymnastics starting it with trim down and trying to reach under, but possible.

Another hunch might be in the trans. starting interlock. Try starting car in N vs. P and see if any difference. Or more pressure on brake pedal. If any correlation there, you know better where to look.

aTOMic

How long between clicks? ~1 second?

My money is on an A/C stepper motor.

Also, watch the first few minutes of "Goodfellas".

Welcome
-Tom

CoolName

Ah, it turns out the clicking was intermittent after all. I was going to take a short vid the other day, got in the car - didn't make the sound at all.
I figured I scared it straight, but the sound was back the next morning and has been on and off since.

Atomic - it happens only once per start, lasts for about a second, and occurs the instant I push the start button.
The more I hear it the more I'm convinced it's a relay. I've been meaning to try and start the car a few times with the key to see if it would make a difference, but keep forgetting

dvs_dave

Could be a steering column adjustment motor/mechanism fault. If you have convenience entry function enabled, the steering column will adjust to the memory position from the access position upon ignition on.

Try adjusting the steering column position, see if the noise is replicated at all.