Evey now and then, there is a clicking sound in dashboard, left side. It is th same sound as when you put the key in the slot and turn it right then left. After the click, the car starts normally. It has never not started, but noises like this worry me.
Any ideas?

 

Probably a silly question, but are you certain it isn't the steering wheel adjusting? Because of my presets I get that clicking noise every time I get in the car.

 

Steering wheel doesn't move when I get in or out of the car. When I adjust, it is a nice smooth sound.
This noise is the same as the noise when you turn the key right to lef.
I worry about new noises.
Bob

 

I had that issue on the '09 that I recently replaced. It didn't happen all the time but enough so that I wondered about it too. Both the Bentley dealer and my Indie guy said not to worry about it. I did notice that it seemed to go away if I kept the car on the trickle charger and it happened far less often after the starter battery was replaced. Since turning the key to the left is used to give the starter battery a boost from the house battery, my guess is that when the starter battery is low maybe it does a self jump or just gets confused. No idea if that's accurate but when the starter battery has a full charge it wouldn't happen. How old is your starter battery? See if that helps and let us know!

 

The batteries were replaced in 2019. That said, I have never heard the noise when I start the car in the garage, after it was on a trickle charger.
I will test the starter battery.
I will also check the battery voltage after it has been on the trickle charger for a while, and again after I have driven the car for a while. If it is lower after driving, that might point to the problem.
Thanks for the advice.
Bob

 

Hope that puts you onto something. Here in Florida a 3 year old battery is ripe for replacement. In MI maybe the cooler weather lets them last longer but I wouldn't be surprised if it's near time for a new one. Even if the voltage looks OK use a load tester to get the whole picture.

 

Could it be the solenoid in the trunk that bridges the batteries together for starting when the house battery is low? The sound doesn't come from the steering wheel but could be heard as a clunk or click in the cabin.

 

If belton and I experienced the same thing it's definitely coming from the key operated ignition switch but very well could be operating that solenoid. The sound is what you'd expect if a contactor relay were opened and closed. If I remember correctly it's three clicks but very rapid so I may not have counted right.

 

This is totally out in left field and I know zero about repairing these beauties, but I watched this video yesterday.

Could the clicking sound be associated with the steering wheel lock/unlock solenoid?

Low voltage or a dying solenoid could cause the clicking.

Steering wheel locking solenoid starts just after the 13:00 mark.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2dc2jLtQ8YI

 

Hello,

Possibly the stepper motor for the fresh air/recirculation flap hunting. Mine does this on start up and stops.
Try uploading an audio, might help further?

E