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Clicking/Ticking Noise while driving - Disappears briefly when shifting

Tiny
CAITRIGGS
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 FORD FIESTA
  • 32,000 MILES
I recently bought a used 2012 Ford Fiesta SES (automatic transmission - 32,000 miles recently serviced by dealership) July 1st, and a clicking/ticking noise while driving began about 3 days after driving it home. I distinctly remember not hearing the noise while test driving the car - at city and highway speeds.

Here are the observations I've made about the noise:

- Absence of clicking when idling
- Clicking only present when the car is moving, but disappears briefly during the time it takes the transmission to shift up in gear.
- Clicking noise is subtle and constant in rhythm - does not get louder or faster upon acceleration
- A/C being on or off does not appear to affect the clicking noise
- Clicking does not change in sound/intensity when turning

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Monday, July 8th, 2013 AT 7:35 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
You are likely hearing an emissions device being cycled on and off during some self-tests. Those self-tests may have not been running recently due to a stored diagnostic fault code or something else that canceled them, or there could be a sound-deadening cover that was removed and not reinstalled properly.

There is a tool you might be able to borrow from an auto parts store that borrows or rent tools called the "Chassis Ear". That is a set of six microphones, a switch box, and head phones. You place the microphones near suspect parts, then listen while driving the car. By moving the microphones around you can zero in on the source of the noise. Be aware many mechanics have never seen or even heard of this tool. Suspension and alignment mechanics use it to locate squeaks and rattles.
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Monday, July 8th, 2013 AT 8:59 AM
Tiny
ZEBRASOT
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Did you ever find out what the ticking noise was? My 2016 Fiesta is making an identical noise. It's very faint.
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Monday, October 24th, 2022 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
This could be a wheel that is loose, cracked rim? Can you upload a short video of the noise so we can hear it? Is it in the front, rear or inside the car?
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Tuesday, October 25th, 2022 AT 1:58 PM
Tiny
ZEBRASOT
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
It is coming from the front. I am not sure if I will be able to capture it on video as it only happens when I am driving. It is so very faint that the sound of rain drowns it out. I will try to capture it. I doubt if it is tire related because it pauses when the gears shift.
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 AT 6:36 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Can you tell if it is coming from the transmission? Could it be the CV axles, does it change when you turn?
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 AT 11:25 AM
Tiny
ZEBRASOT
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
It does not change when I turn. It could be coming from the transmission, hard to tell because it only makes the soft tick when the car is moving.
Wondering if it could just be the gears.
It is very faint. It rained yesterday and you couldn't hear it over the sound of the rain hitting the windshield. You really have to strain to hear it.
It's not getting any louder. The car runs great.
I am thinking that the sound has been there the whole time, I am just now hearing it because I am listening for it.
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 AT 1:29 PM
Tiny
ZEBRASOT
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
The car has a DPS6 transmission. No change when turning. The ticking is also not present when the gears downshift. Something I hadn't noticed until today and disappears at higher speeds. It just may be that these transmissions are noisy.
I have a video. Not sure if you can hear anything or not. It is very faint, but figured I'd give it a shot. Also, the car has 91,000 miles.
I really appreciate this.
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 AT 4:22 PM
Tiny
ZEBRASOT
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
More Details. DPS6 transmission. 91,000 miles.
Faint ticking noise is the front end. Only when the car is in gear and moving. Not at idle. Not upon start. Ticking speed increases as speed increases but volume does not. No change when turning. Ticking pauses when the gear shifts. RPM's and gear shift is smooth without additional noise. Ticking disappears in higher gears. Ticking is not present when the car downshifts or coasts.
Regular oil changes, filter changes. Well maintained. The last oil change was about 3 weeks ago along with tire rotation and full inspection. New brake pads about 2 months ago.
I'll upload a video. Not sure if you can hear it. It's very faint.
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
ZEBRASOT
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Video attached.
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 AT 4:35 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Thank you for the video. I could hear the noise. It sounds like a heat shield is loose for the exhaust manifold or exhaust system, with the engine cold use a rubber mallet to hit the exhaust system to see if you can duplicate the noise.
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Thursday, October 27th, 2022 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
ZEBRASOT
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
I'll let you know what I find. I am surprised you can hear it. Most people cannot because it is so very faint.
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Thursday, October 27th, 2022 AT 10:54 AM

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