clicking and check engine weird!

[Slider01]

I have a 95 conversion van and recently it would start clicking before I could start it. Now I have to wait until the van stops clicking and the check engine light comes on befor it will start. Any suggestions?

[bluezuan]

Hi, depends on where the clicking sound is coming from--I;ve had a dead spot in my starter and it clicks till the right juice gets to it and gets it going and I've had a click in the dashboard in the main computer box and engine light was on and the read out was o2 sensor. I had a short in the wiring harness near the transmission. Don't think a bad starter brings the engine light on and I have 94 ram van 3.9...Hope that helps you out.

[Slider01]

Thanks I apprecite the feed back. The clicking comes from the lefthand side of my steering wheel. clueless?

[bluezuan]

The clicking sound is in the mother board on the dash. Its telling you that you have a short in one of the wiring harnesses. My o2 sensor was reading it was gone. I replaced it and it ran rough. The short was just above It. I heard the same sound and my mechanic found it it two hours for him to find it after I told him the syptoms.

[Slider01]

I'll give it a shot. Thanks

[marve319]

Hi, I have the same exact problem with my 1995 Dodge 2500 Van. You can turn the key and there is nothing, and then a few minutes later a clicking sound can be heard, once the clicking stops, the check engine light comes on and you can start the van. The clicking is coming from a double relay unit that is located on the left side under the hood. You can see both of them attached to the same holder. That is all I know, and still haven't figured out how to fix it. Tomorrow will have the relays checked. The clicking seems to be the electricity heating up the relay. I am lost, don't know yet how to fix it. Will let you know when I find out, Hope you will do the same for me.

[alloro]

It's a bad ASD relay or the PCM (computer). You'll be changing one of them. Those relays you found are the ASD and fuel pump relays.

[marve319]

Hi Marv again. I am still having the same problem with starting the van. My alternator was bad and I replaced it and I had thought that the problem had been solved, but it wasn't. Today I am going to disconnect the battery so the computer will reset. The van has not been started since yesterday and it is cold outside. I am thinking either the computer is bad or the code needs to be cleared and I don't know how to do that as of yet.

[marve319]

I am still haing that problem. My new question is what does the ignition time delay relay, that is located under the glove box. what is it's function, does anyone know?

[alloro]

That relay is for the light at your ignition switch.
BTW, your original problem I still say is a bad PCM.

[shaggylive]

Originally Posted by alloro

It's a bad ASD relay or the PCM (computer). You'll be changing one of them. Those relays you found are the ASD and fuel pump relays.

I have the same issue. I have replace the relay's but that wasn't the problem.
before I spend $$$ on a new PCM, I would like to make sure it's not a bad sensor or a short. how would I check the sensors which ones would cause this?

[alloro]

A bad sensor or a short in a sensor's wiring will give you a trouble code in the PCM. Any short outside of the realm of the PCM will blow a fuse. If neither of these is happening then the clicking is due to a bad PCM.

Sometimes you can confirm it's a bad PCM by heating the PCM up with a hairdryer prior to the first start up in the morning. If you heat up the PCM first and the van starts easier, then you've confirmed it's a bad PCM. You could still have a bad PCM if this doesn't work, but if it does make a difference then it's definitely the PCM.

[bratt]

please tell us what CHECK ENGINE codes are stored?

Do this by turning the key to ON then off then on then off then on within 10seconds

the check engine light will then flash in Long and then short flashes

you will need to count the long and shorts for each code
Long flashes equal 10
short flash equal 1

each code is 2 digits. like 10-99range