Clicking sound from under the driver's dash...DRIVING ME NUTS

[ChargerChad]

Requesting help from the group again!
Let me preface by saying I don't know much about electrics, but trying to learn.... 1971 Charger SE with just about every option, all original w' 383. I have a distinctive "Tick" any time the key is on - sounds like its coming from the region behind the climate controls, followed by a "tock" exactly two seconds later that sounds farther back. The cycle repeats every three to four seconds. It's pretty loud considering I have full dual exhaust with walker mufflers so the car isn't exactly quiet. Every tick or tock makes the amp-meter jump.

I read in the A-body boards a guy with a similar problem that ended up being the wiper motor grounding out or something and causing a relay? on the wiper switch to pop on and off. Also read somewhere else the instrument panel has it's own voltage regulator that can crap the bed at any time.

Looking for advice on how to prove/disprove either of those theories with my trusty test light? Also open to the wisdom of the group if anyone has had a similar issue

 

[Don Frelier]

Look behind the kickpanel left side by the emergency brake. There is a circuit breaker in the older cars there. Unplug the wiper motor and see if it stops.

 

[The Rebel]

Turn signal relay?

 

[Fran Blacker]

Are your gauges moving up and down? If so voltage limiter it make a ping sound.

 

[pnora]

Very simple. What is not working at this time? Concealed headlamps? Power locks? It is obviously a circuit breaker popping and should be easy to locate. It also will be nice and warm.

 

[ChargerChad]

Are your gauges moving up and down? If so voltage limiter it make a ping sound.

the ammeter jumps to the "D" side with every click sound.

 

[ChargerChad]

Very simple. What is not working at this time? Concealed headlamps? Power locks? It is obviously a circuit breaker popping and should be easy to locate. It also will be nice and warm.

I know for sure the factory cruise is not functional, not sure about the A/C but guessing no... (its still in the 40's here) wipers are clunky but they work, power windows are really slow... gauges work except the second hand on the clock, heat works (with a slow fan), hideaway headlights work perfectly, dash/interior lights all work

 

[dadsbee]

A/C clutch kicking in and out...

 

[Kern Dog]

The headlight door relay in my 70 Charger used to do that.
I replaced it with a new Bosch relay.

 

[R413]

Since you don’t complain of a dead battery then you either disconnect it when parked or it’s a key on circuit.

Do you have a factory service manual to see a wiring diagram and figure out all the circuit breakers in the car?

If you have a power window switch that is stuck and not returning to center or off position it will cycle the breaker. Dig into it and find the noise and you will find the unhappy circuit breaker. The go by wire color to know what circuit it is on.

Unfortunately removing fuses probably won’t help because it’s a circuit powered by a circuit breaker. But you could remove all th fuses and see if it stops. Easy and quick to do.

You could start unplugging things like the headlight door motor, AC clutch, etc. really helps to have a Factory wiring diagram.

 

[pnora]

I know for sure the factory cruise is not functional, not sure about the A/C but guessing no... (its still in the 40's here) wipers are clunky but they work, power windows are really slow... gauges work except the second hand on the clock, heat works (with a slow fan), hideaway headlights work perfectly, dash/interior lights all work

Then you need to get under that dash and identify what is making the noise. Otherwise all anyone is doing is guessing.

 

[ChargerChad]

Then you need to get under that dash and identify what is making the noise. Otherwise all anyone is doing is guessing.

Since you don’t complain of a dead battery then you either disconnect it when parked or it’s a key on circuit.

Do you have a factory service manual to see a wiring diagram and figure out all the circuit breakers in the car?

If you have a power window switch that is stuck and not returning to center or off position it will cycle the breaker. Dig into it and find the noise and you will find the unhappy circuit breaker. The go by wire color to know what circuit it is on.

Unfortunately removing fuses probably won’t help because it’s a circuit powered by a circuit breaker. But you could remove all th fuses and see if it stops. Easy and quick to do.

You could start unplugging things like the headlight door motor, AC clutch, etc. really helps to have a Factory wiring diagram.

I actually do have the 1971 Dodge Chassis Service Manual, thank eBay and $39.00. So I unplugged the wiper motor and the sound seems to have either slowed or stopped... and for additional fun, the second hand on the clock suddenly sprang to life. I'm going to take it for a drive in a few minutes and see if the clicking stopped completely. At any rate, I need to pull the horn relay/key-in buzzer if I expect to find anything making noise under the dash

 

[ChargerChad]

I just took the Charger for a 25 minute round trip to pick up my kid from school and no tick-tocking after unplugging the wiper motor. According to the service manual, the circuit breaker for the wipers is integrated into the switch, which is right above the climate controls and explains the noise as it continuously tripped. It appears that my wiper motor has been fiddled with at some point as all the external wires between the two pieces of the motor body are spliced.

So now I'm apparently pushing back my plans for my next go-faster item (I was planning on doing an Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold next) so I can send off this stupid wiper motor for a rebuild. Can't go fast if you can't see...

 

[R413]

Splices are from the factory. Pine needles were added later.

Check the wiring for damage.

 

[pnora]

I just took the Charger for a 25 minute round trip to pick up my kid from school and no tick-tocking after unplugging the wiper motor. According to the service manual, the circuit breaker for the wipers is integrated into the switch, which is right above the climate controls and explains the noise as it continuously tripped. It appears that my wiper motor has been fiddled with at some point as all the external wires between the two pieces of the motor body are spliced.

So now I'm apparently pushing back my plans for my next go-faster item (I was planning on doing an Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold next) so I can send off this stupid wiper motor for a rebuild. Can't go fast if you can't see...

You said they work but noisy. So I have to assume they make noise when off trying to park. Your car I believe has concealed off glass parking. Make sure you have the correct motor. Then look at the linkage to see why it is making noise. You could also unbolt the link from the motor and see what the motor does without the linkage. This is all providing you have the right motor.

 

[ChargerChad]

You said they work but noisy. So I have to assume they make noise when off trying to park. Your car I believe has concealed off glass parking. Make sure you have the correct motor. Then look at the linkage to see why it is making noise. You could also unbolt the link from the motor and see what the motor does without the linkage. This is all providing you have the right motor.

They are the concealed blades. I’m pretty sure the motor is correct but the wipers are sluggish when working. The wiring, as you can see, is pretty much just exposed metal. I’m going to take the whole assembly apart and clean it up. From what I can see, the drive link system appears complete.