Clicking sound after turning key on

[BobJohnson]

so today all of a sudden, when I turned the key to the on position to turn on the computer/medallion- I got a rapid click noise coming from behind the dash. It goes for 2-3 seconds and stops when the medallion turns on. Anyone have any thoughts to what this could be? Worries me that something is failing. I took a video of it, but you can barely pick it up. Comes after the wind sound.

 

[Betik]

It sounds to me like your battery does not enough juice.
Did you get chance to check that ?

 

[BobJohnson]

it's a similar sound to when the battery doesn't turn over, but in my case, this is when I turn the ignition key, which on my boat just turns on all the electronics = (push button start)

And the sound (rapid clicking for couple seconds until the electronics come on) comes from behind the dash.

I did not check the voltage before any of the times I experienced the issue. I do remember checking the voltage gauges later in the day, on the way back to the dock and the volts were fine per the gauges. But, I did not try to turn the key back on after I reached the dock.

 

[Betik]

Mhhh behind the dash...... get you get access behind it.? If so you should be able to isolate source right ?

 

[BobJohnson]

Mhhh behind the dash...... get you get access behind it.? If so you should be able to isolate source right ?

yes, I can see everything behind the dash. I just didn't check behind there on Sunday when I was having the issue. After the first time it happened, I was in the middle of the lake on the next 2 times. The last time I started the boat, was when I tried recording it and then I didn't want to shut it off until I was back at the dock. Wish I would have tried it again once at dock and tried to find the issue, but I didn't... I'll head up this weekend and if it does it again, I will, while at the dock, see if I can hear / feel where the noise is coming from.

This is a hard thing to google, because all the hits I get for clicking noise when turning key are in regards to a dead battery. This is a unique situation with it being a push button start and the turning of the key is really only turning on the electronics.

 

[Wr3ckdiver]

Sounds like a relay to me, part of your ignition circuit. Do you have a copy of the schematic? Trace it and I am sure you will see what the component is. Sounds like a starter relay or solenoid....

 

[Betik]

Sounds like a relay to me, part of your ignition circuit. Do you have a copy of the schematic? Trace it and I am sure you will see what the component is. Sounds like a starter relay or solenoid....

behind that dash ?!!!!

 

[Vandyman]

While less than an educated guess, it may be related to the temp gauges as they are analog and may have a step-down relay. I think my dash makes a slight buzzing sound (maybe for 2 seconds or so) when I turn the key.

 

[YinzerVRX]

I get that sound as well, and i'm 99% sure mine is the temp/volt gauges calibrating themselves because the needles flutter at the same tempo and in sync with the sound.

 

[waternutt]

I get that sound as well, and i'm 99% sure mine is the temp/volt gauges calibrating themselves because the needles flutter at the same tempo and in sync with the sound.

Same here. I just assumed it was the gauges.

 

[Jeff Cox]

I get same sound as well....

 

[blackhawkpilot]

I had the clicking sound as well over the summer. It occurred at low speed and seemed to disappear as I turned the wheel. I took it to the dealer and they said it was the steering cable that was loose at the rear by the jets.

Got it back and after a few minutes of operation, it happened again. As of today, I just deal with it as it doesn’t seem to affect anything - just a loud annoyance.

It would be nice if someone could identify the culprit. I’m lost.

 

[BobJohnson]

for mine, it turned out to be something in the port side voltage gauge. I had noticed on my last time out (back in october for me) that after turning the key, i watched the needle on the port voltage gauge go up and stutter at the same time I heard the clicking sound. And that clicking sound was coming from behind the dash, so it had something to do with the electronics in the gauge.

I had to take the boat into the dealer to get my medallion replaced (water had gotten into the screen) and they were going to fix it at that time.

I just picked the boat up this past weekend and took it to storage. Before doing so, I turned the key to power up the medallion to check it out (got the new viper II version as the replacement). The screen replacement looked great. But, I was so happy to see my new screen and was kind of rushed to get to my storage place before they closed, that I just pulled my batteries out and covered the boat up and drove it to the storage building. Wasn't until I was back home that I thought of the clicking. I don't think I heard it at all (and sure I would have) when I turned on the key. I'll know for sure in April....