2002 Ford Explorer Clicking noise when in park

170,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
UPPERECHELONBALLER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Today while i had the car on, but in park, i kept hearing a single click, and then the RPM level would drop and rise, then 3 seconds later, it would repeat the same thing. it did this until i changed gears. what could be the problem? 1 single click, then the car acts as if it wants to stall but doesnt. I recently had the vacuum hose replaced to cure a similar problem.
Nov 10, 2009 at 6:52 AM
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,246 POSTS
It could be vacuum related still. However, has the check engine light come on? Also, where do you hear the clicking sound coming from?
Nov 10, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Avatar
UPPERECHELONBALLER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
No the check engine light hasn't come back on yet and I'm hearing it from the front drivers side. I had my car door open and my window down and I heard it
Nov 10, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,246 POSTS
IT sounds to me like a throttle position sensor, but without the check engine light coming on or a trouble code, that is a guess at this point. Does it run fine when you place it in gear?
Nov 10, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Avatar
UPPERECHELONBALLER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It runs fine when it's in gear. I looked under the hood and saw where the clicking noise was coming from. There's a belt on the driver side and the round thing it turns on will turn and then stop. That's when it clicks and the car acts like it wants to stall (the rpm drops)
Nov 17, 2009 at 1:41 AM
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,246 POSTS
THat sounds like the AC compressor. It cycles on and off, and yes you will hear a click when it turns on and off. THe compressor should only run when the AC is on and the defroster. If you shut evreything off, the compressor shouldn't cycle. Try that and let me know if it stops.

Joe
Nov 17, 2009 at 7:01 AM
Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle