Clicking Ignition Coil

I have a 1992 GMC Jimmy 4.3 L (w) v6, 60,000M. Recently when troubleshooting other problems in the engine compartment I noticed with the engine running ( & hood open) that the Ignition Coil emits a fast paced clicking sound, about 6 clicks a second. Now being attuned to the sound I can hear the clicking with the hood shut and when I’m driving at slow speeds.

Question being: Is it normal for the coil to emit a rapid paced clicking sound? If the clicking is audible enough to hear while in the car driving at slow speeds, is this indicative of a coil malfunction.

Thanks for any input. I searched the form but found no returns for ‘clicking ignition coil’.

PS. The beast is still running 'great'.

ok, start up your engine in the middle of the night and look at the coil area and you will probably see a nice blue light show.

Need absolute darkness though.

You shure it isn't the PCV valve clicking? It is right near it.

Alright, I fired her up in the night and I saw the light show you talked about. The wire coil in the ignition coil housing is somewhat lose. It’s between these two pieces that produce the most sparks. However, taking a closer look one can see occasional arcing between ignition wires and between ignition wires and plenum.

Does this indicate I need to replace the coil only, or both coil and ignition wires? Or since the truck is running fine leave it as is?

Thanks

If you see arcing, you need to replace the coil and the wires.

Very dangersous to have open spark like that near the plenum.