[tblake]

welcome to AF!!! As for the ticking, where is the sound coming from? engine compartment, or rear of the vehicle? Ok, on to the start issue. you can pull the IAC Motor off with a couple torx pits, and clean it with carb cleaner, and its ports. Chances are if its never been done, it needs it. It is the thing on the throttle body right above the throttle position sensor. My other guess as to the hard start could maybe be a fuel pressure regulator. Pull the vacuum line off of it, and turn the key to on so the pump runs and back off. And check to see if there is any fuel coming ot of the vacuum line port. If so, replace the fpr. As for the ticking, i need more info. It could be a relay ticking (fuel pump relay or VATS) causing the vehicle to not start. Any number of things.