Clicking Noise Before Starting car

2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS 6 cy 112000 Miles

This problem started after changing the car battery

When I turn the key (just to the spot where the electric systems turn on) there is a series of clicks usually about 3-5 of them. The Noise comes from the engine compartment, some where under the main part of the engine.

The engine starts fine. It seems to run a little rougher, but I was thinking that might have to do with resetting the computer values (I have only driving it 15 miles after battery change) I have yet to go through the resetting procedure inside the manual.

I really would like to know what these clicks mean and weather I need to get the car serviced to avoid future problems...


Please Help ....:runaround:


Thanks in advance for the help

Welcome to AF

Usually clicking noises are associated with relays turning on and off rapidly. Several things can cause them to do this: Battery thats going bad, or bad connections on the terminals. The relay itself could be going bad, bad grounds, I have even seen a bad alternator cause a relay to click somehow. You need to try and figure out exactly where the noise in coming from to diagnose it further.

I would clean the battery terminals first to rule that out. Check all the grounds going to the battery and the grounds on the engine. Then have the battery and alternator tested since advance or auto zone does that for free. If that doesnt fix it then might want to try testing or replacing the relay.