2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission clicking noise ?

[Tractorat]

Ive recently notices a strange clicking noise when I turn the key on (before I hit start). It almost sounds like cold metal that is warming up rapidly (?) It is coming from the dashboard, almost like it is right behind the speedometer.



Anyone have any ideas ? The temp today has been in the 50's, so I dont think it is cold related. Although it has been pretty wet.



After Ive turned the key on once or twice, the noise doesnt come back.



TRat

 

[georgej]

Maybe the grid heaters? Before you drive off in the morning have someone turn on the key while you have the hood open.

 

[JCyrbok]

Maybe the grid heaters? Before you drive off in the morning have someone turn on the key while you have the hood open.

either the grid heaters themself or the relays.



Does if click continuously or just once or twice?



J-

 

[Tractorat]

I guess its really more of a ticking noise. It starts out slowly and quckly speeds up. It only lasts a few seconds. It only happens once in the morning. Even if I dont start the truck but put it into the on position again, the noise is gone.

 

[Tractorat]

Where are the relays ? This noise sounds like it is right in the dashboard. Like it is coming from the speedometer/tach area.

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

TRat,
Ramblin' thought...
Next time try turning your heater fan off, or on a higher setting before you turn on the ignition switch. See if it makes any difference in the sound. It is a belief held by my wife and myself that the Gen 2 Rams have a ventriloquist dashboard. She claims a squeak is coming from one area and I say it is in another. I have recently had a similar sound crop up. Mine sounds like it is in the vicinity of the transmission hump or left of center dash. Sometimes it sounds like a fan motor going out, or a foreign object running around in the squirrel cage or defrost duct. By the time the brain cell thinks of adjusting the fan the sound goes away. Someday, the feeble, flickering brain cell will remember to perform above mentioned event BEFORE attempting a starting event. I feel like the dogs in the animated movie UP... ("Squirrel !!!!") when it first happens during the morning's "pre-flight"... totally distracted from the here-and-now. Huh... Wazzat??? Then it's gone.

 

[Tractorat]

Nope, dont think its the heater fan. I always make sure everything is turned off (including the fan) when I shut the engine down. It almost sounds like a pan can sometimes sound when you first turn the heat on the stove. Like something is expanding from heat.



BTW, its 41d outside right now. I went out and turned the key on. No noise. So, Im sure it has something to do with a much colder temp.