Rhythmic Clicking sound from behind Dash on 1973 Dodge dart

[SputnikOne]

Hey all, figured I'd come here for help diagnosing an issue on my newly acquired Dart, there is a rhythmic Clicking sound behind the dashboard that seems to be inconsistent, starts usually after hipping a bump or accelerating and things along those lines, and will keep going for a decent while, even if I stop the car. It almost seems to be in sync with the blinkers, so I wonder if that's part of it.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Probably the mechanical voltage regulator for the instrument cluster gauges.

 

[SputnikOne]

Possible, the speedometer needle has a bit of wiggle to it when I'm driving. The electrical work on the car seems to be subpar, the hazards only work if the blinkers are on at the same time.

 

[4spdragtop]

I would be disconnecting the battery asap and investigating under the dash. Many a Mopar have fell victim elec fire/melt under the dash.

 

[SputnikOne]

It doesn't sound electrical, it has a metallic ring to it, I have a video but I can't send it here. I looked under the dash and couldn't see anything out of the ordinary.

 

[Demonracer]

Disconnect the speedometer cable at the transmission and take it around the block to see if the clicking stops.

 

[SputnikOne]

I'll take a look, but personally, I haven't looked through the car nearly enough to know where all of that is.

 

[4spdragtop]

Videos have to be posted to YouTube, then linked here.
Wiper linkage? Loose radio? Dash bezel loose? Ashtray?
Those above may be making noise, but you sure as heck don't want a voltage limiter or ammeter going crazy.
New car to you? I'd be getting a cute midget to crawl under dash.

It doesn't sound electrical, it has a metallic ring to it, I have a video but I can't send it here. I looked under the dash and couldn't see anything out of the ordinary.

 

[SputnikOne]

Well, fortunately, or unfortunately, looks like one of the previous owners had his way with the electrical connections already, the radio doesn't exist, so that's not the issue, wipers work fine, I don't see any ashtrays around hah.

 

[SputnikOne]

Here's a short clip.

 

[ragtopfury]

Does it happen sitting still in gear, before moving? What about sitting in park?
Jack the rear wheels off the ground and put it in gear, letting the wheels spin and see if it happens. If so, I'd bet either the speedo cable or speedo head itself.

 

[junkyardhero]

seatbelt interlock buzzer going all wack-a-doo on ya?

signal flasher shorting/grounding out cuz it's got some exposed wires and it's swinging around down there?

 

[SputnikOne]

seatbelt interlock buzzer going all wack-a-doo on ya?

signal flasher shorting/grounding out cuz it's got some exposed wires and it's swinging around down there?

The dome light seatbelt buzzer is pretty inconsistent, the signal flasher is super weak on the left side with the lights turned on, but I'm not too sure

 

[SputnikOne]

Does it happen sitting still in gear, before moving? What about sitting in park?
Jack the rear wheels off the ground and put it in gear, letting the wheels spin and see if it happens. If so, I'd bet either the speedo cable or speedo head itself.

Doesn't usually happen just sitting still unless I really jostle the car side to side, if it starts and I stop the car it continues for a minute or two

 

[67Dart273]

Some of this is easy. Yank out both flashers. Reach up in there and locate the instrument regulator. I'd use a mirror so you can see it's orientation. Pull that out. I believe the seat belt buzzer is part of the horn relay. Fine. Yank that ***** outta there.

You can download a complete shop manual free from MyMopar.com. Some of us here on this board is why it is posted over there

 

[junkyardhero]

Doesn't usually happen just sitting still unless I really jostle the car side to side, if it starts and I stop the car it continues for a minute or two

do you happen to have any kind of old school alarm on the car?

that almost sounds like one of those old jostle switches knocking around...

 

[SputnikOne]

I have no idea, I just got it, how would I check?

 

[junkyardhero]

I have no idea, I just got it, how would I check?

peek around for something that is not stock. post pics up here. consult a ouija board. open the hood, look for a part that has no earthly business being there. remember the name of the town? red will tell you.

 

[SputnikOne]

Unfortunately under the dash Is abit of a mess as all the old sound system wires that came out the back of the radio are just sitting there. Label plate says it was made in Canada, but I currently have it here in Hawaii.

 

[SputnikOne]

No luck getting the sound to occur while sitting still with key in ignition and without. Sound is coming from right behind the radio.

 

[MDchanic]

Sound is coming from right behind the radio.

Delinquent heater blower hitting something?

- Eric

 

[SputnikOne]

Possible, but the heater isn't in use, I'll try to cycle it though.

 

[SputnikOne]

The fans on the top of the dash don't seem to blow any air, but the motors Whirs when the fan switch is turned on, might be related.

 

[MDchanic]

If the heater fan were on Low and there was some sort of object or debris just a bit too close to the fan, then hitting a bump could make it go Dink Dink Dink Dink Dink for a while.

- Eric

 

[4spdragtop]

Could be loose dash speaker.