Occasional clicking/ticking noise under dash

[rangerrj]

2004 4X4 with 4.0L/Auto extended cab. I have been hearing an occasional clicking/ticking noise coming from under the lower part of the dash when the truck is moving. Does not matter what road speed or road condition is at the time. It is not a creaking noise and occurs when going straight or around a corner. Curious if anybody has a clue. Probably not serious but if it is electrical, might leave me stranded some place.

 

[gw33gp]

My 02 used to make a strange sound from under the dash that was almost like a clicking sound but still kind of gurgling. It would usually happen just after using the brakes but it only happened once a week at the most. I could never figure out what was causing it but it would only do it for a short time then stop and didn't seem to affect anything, so I just kept driving it that way for many years.

One day the check valve failed in the vacuum reservoir for the climate control. It is in the engine compartment by the right front fender. I don't see how that could cause that sound but after replacing the reservoir, the sound never came back.

 

[FrazuX838]

2004 4X4 with 4.0L/Auto extended cab. I have been hearing an occasional clicking/ticking noise coming from under the lower part of the dash when the truck is moving. Does not matter what road speed or road condition is at the time. It is not a creaking noise and occurs when going straight or around a corner. Curious if anybody has a clue. Probably not serious but if it is electrical, might leave me stranded some place.

Did you ever find out the cause of this? The reason I ask is because I am experiencing something very similar on my 2019 Ford Ranger 4x4 SuperCab. From what you described it seems to be the same thing. I'm going in for an oil change next week and wanted to run this by the dealership, so any new/recent info would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[1990RangerinSK]

You might try turning off your signal light.

 

[FrazuX838]

It’s not the signal light, but thanks for the input.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

It’s not the signal light, but thanks for the input.

You're welcome.

 

[Mike92STX]

I think that was some Canadian humor. I have a 2004 that is doing it every time I turn it off but the idea of the check valve makes sense to me because it happens when turning of heat or AC.

 

[Snoranger]

You might try turning off your signal light.

I found it amusing... even if no one else did.

 

[Josh B]

Do yall have rattlesnakes out there?

 

[1990RangerinSK]

I found it amusing... even if no one else did.

Thanks . I do apologize to the OP if he took it the wrong way (and I think he did).

I'm reminded of the night that I borrowed Grandpa's truck (1985 Ranger, I've mentioned the truck before), and it wouldn't start. I turned the key, and there wasn't even a click. I tried three times, checked the battery cables for tightness, tried again.... And then realized it was a standard. I needed to step on the clutch to start it!

I wish Grandpa was still around to remind him of that night. He came out after I got the truck started (started easily when I stepped on the clutch!) to make sure everything was OK. I sheepishly told him the truck wouldn't start because I wasn't stepping on the clutch, waved, and then drove off.

In suggesting the signal light, I was starting with the obvious, actually. Yes, it would have been funny if that had been the problem.

Sorry OP, I'll leave the rest of the troubleshooting to the grownups. But, I will suggest that if you can post a video of the truck doing it, it might help somebody to identify the problem.

 

[Josh B]

In case you may wondering, I wasn't exactly joking, there have been snakes found in much stranger places than that