[jlayf2000]

Hello and thanks for any assistance in advance. I have a clicking noise coming from the driver's side engine compartment. It is coming from what appears to be some type of electrical switch, to the far right of the engine compartment, and just to the right of another box with 5 or 6 small metal tubes coming out of it. The noise does increase with the throttle from what I can hear on the road.

2004 C240 Pearland, TX

Thanks,

 

[rudeney]

Is it this? If so, that's the ABS/ESP controller.

 

[vr2whf]

I wonder if the noise coming from the fuel vapor purge valve just next to the ESP controller.
Tick tick noise.

 

[erich.schuette]

My car also makes the noise at times, but it's next to the ESP controller.

As vr2whf identified it as the fuel vapor purge valve, what does it do, and is the ticking noise normal?

 

[Check Codes]

My car also makes the noise at times, but it's next to the ESP controller.

As vr2whf identified it as the fuel vapor purge valve, what does it do, and is the ticking noise normal?

Sometimes called the MOT valve (due to typical markings on it), the purge/regeneration valve works in conjunction with the vapor recovery canister as part of emission controls to ensure that raw fuel vapors are contained and not released to the atmosphere.

Yes, the ticking is normal. You can remove the valve and clean it with MAF spray if you wish, but that won't usually do anything for the ticking. The ticking seems to crop up after several years as the valve wears, since when the cars are new they simply pulse (you can feel it) with just a very low-volume noise, typically inaudible.

That said, unless the ticking bothers you, it can be ignored, otherwise replace the valve, it's nearly $100 though. It won't change anything in the car's operation, but it will be quieter.

OP, if your noise is NOT coming from the purge valve, but from the ABS, then you should get it checked out.

Good luck.

 

[jlayf2000]

Thanks for your quick reply everyone. After reading everyone's response, it looks like it is indeed the fuel vapor purge valve. The clicking is coming from that small valve/switch to the ABS controller. In your photo Rodney, it is the white switch with the two wires coming from it.

Is everyone sure that clicking is normal? I've had the car for almost a year now, and the problem just came up in the last week. Thanks for the tip check codes.

 

[rudeney]

If it bothers you, replace it:

Auto Parts - Parts.com, For Every Part of Your Life