'Clicking noise' from fuse box Audi A6

Moanin

I noticed lately when I start the car (2011 A6 Tdi new shape) I hear a clicking noise from the fuse box, It eventually disappears.

Can anybody shed any light on what it maybe please?

Prenderb

Is this a fusebox inside the car? Sounds like it might be one of the relays. Might be worth having it checked out with an auto electrician. Any other problems with the car lately?

Moanin

Yeah it seems to be coming from the fuse box inside the car.

EGR valve was replaced a few weeks ago.

What does the relay do and can it cause damage if not repaired?

Moanin

This only seems to happen on a cold start.

biko

Start car with fusebox open and see if you can pinpoint what happens.
Don't touch anything

tossy

Moanin wrote: »

Yeah it seems to be coming from the fuse box inside the car.

EGR valve was replaced a few weeks ago.

What does the relay do and can it cause damage if not repaired?

A relay is an electrical switch that opens and closes a circuit there are many inside the car, it normally only switches on once to start a process and off again to end it e.g if you sit in the car and turn the wipers on intermittent wipe, you will hear a faint click from somewhere behind the lower dash before and after each wipe, similarly if you turn on the hazard lights the loud clicking you hear inside the car is the relay opening and closing the circuit.

With that in mind if a relay is clicking rapidly either something is failing or it's stuck. A good independent garage or Auto electrician would shed a lot of light on this inside an hours labour - you really are just chasing a lot of what ifs otherwise.

whizbang

If you are hearing a 'fizzing' sound, then its a problem, but a relay simply clicking on and off is normal.
You would probably be surprised at the number of small heaters that are installed in cars.

Moanin

Thanks all.

I will be getting it serviced in another month or so and will highlight it to mechanic.