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Hey ETCG Forum,
I have a 1995 Toyota Camry V6 (automatic, 220k miles) that has an intermittent noise that I can fairly easily reproduce. Here’s an example:
I deliver pizzas, and so I am constantly driving in intense SoCal traffic. I noticed that if I have my A/C running, headlights on, rear defroster on (it tends to fog up later in the evening, though it can still be upwards of 80º) and my radio on, I can trigger a strange clicking sound, almost a fluttering sound, by activating a turn signal (it will then beat in time to the turn signal), or by turning up the volume on the radio (when it will beat in time to the amount of current drawn).
It seems to be located behind the instrument cluster, and it only happens when the engine is at idle. Raising the RPMs even slightly causes the click silence.
My mechanic replaced the alternator and starter at 215k miles (in early 2014; think February) with what I believe were Delco units.
Any ideas on what could be causing the clicking? It’s slowly driving me crazy.
Nate
- Replies
This is a tricky one. sounds like either turn signal
flasher or a vibration. Is there a amp meter in the
cluster?No amp meter, and the lights are not affected at all (at least visibly).
There is an aftermarket alarm installed, and I have occasionally noticed the door locks clicking when I am getting in the vehicle. It never causes them to lock/unlock, but only tries to unlock them again, like someone is pressing the button repeatedly. It does not make the same noise as the fluttering.
Hmmmm… Battery and low electrical conditions can cause all kinds of weird things to happen…
I would try this… Test the condition of the battery and an undercharging alternator… While this is not for Toyotas, it is fairly accurate concerning where your charge should be…
The battery is new as of last year; I commute 25 miles one-way to college, so it should have a good charge if the alternator is working properly.
The alternator was replaced with a Denso unit, not Delco as I originally guessed.
OK… Diagnose your way…
You are describing a problem that occurs in a vehicle with an aftermarket alarm system when there is a full load on the system… A/C, Rear defog, headlights on, turn signal on, radio on….
Good luck, perhaps someone else can tell you what you want to hear..
-Karl
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