Hello all,

I just discovered this website a few days ago and was wondering if you all could help me...

I just bought a 1999 Dakota Sport, 3.9, AT, 125000 miles. The truck is in excellent shape but I have noticed a few things that are raising a concern for me.

As I accelerate, there is a ticking noise behind the dash. It goes faster as my speed increases, but on deceleration it goes away. This in no way effects the way the truck runs or drives however. I was wondering if this was any cause for concern or if its just a normal thing. The guy I bought it from said he just had it tuned up a few weeks ago and spent about $350 in doing so. It looks to me that he's telling the truth because the spark plugs and wires etc. are all fairly new.

 

the only ticking noise i can think of would be lifters...can you hear it from under the hood?

 

I cannot hear it under the hood. Its just inside the cab. Thats what has me confused. I was thinking it had something to do with the guages, but I have absolutely no idea.

 

hmmm, couldnt tell ya...the only things under the dash is all electrical stuff, and i dont have the guts to mess with that kind of stuff...if it were me id take it to an auto electric shop i guess. seems to me that if the car drives well, its not anything mechanical, so itis probably some electrical thing...sorry i am not more help

 

Thats what i was thinking. I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't a, "HOLY **** GET IT TAKEN CARE OF!" thing or not. I guess as long as it drives ok I'll deal with it. Other than that I love this truck.

 

id still go somewhere to get it checked out, and go to at least a couple shops for different opinions...sometimes electrical problems can have a waterfall effect...when one thing happens, other things happen

 

is she a 4x4?, could be the transfer case?.. go invest in an automotive stephoscope and have someone drive her on the highway and probe that thing around the cab until you pin point where the noise is comming from, thats what id do

 

That tick i believe is the evap control solenoid. I too was worried about this when I first got my truck because I heard it too but thats what my mechanic said it was and its nothing to worry about plus its a solenoid so they are knock to tick. I can only hear it when i accelerate as well so im pretty sure its the same thing. The only thing you can do is replace it and hope you get a quiet one but i'd say just leave it.

 

Mine does the same thing, was like that when i bought it. Good to know its nothing to worry about, if its not hurting the truck i say leave it. I kinda don't notice it as much as i did, kinda learn to ignore it after awhile.

 

If its not the solenoid there is a chance that its EMC related (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro..._compatibility)

The reason i think this is because of the "It goes faster as my speed increases" comment you made.
If there is a bad ground in your vehicles electrical system, "electrical noise" from your ignition system, among other sources, can get coupled either through the air (radiated) or through the wires (conducted). This can and does get picked up by your radio and sound
system. It will sound like static comming from the speakers. I guess it would help if you said what part of the dash. top, bottom
left, or right.

So it wouldnt hurt to check your trucks ground points. Battery ground and any ground strap in the engine compartment.
there are usually a few that go from the block to the body/fire wall.

Also is the radio stock or after market? Some times people cheap out on the instalation of them and use "remote grounding" for the
radios ground point. IE they use the body of the vehicle as the ground. while this electrically works, its not as good as using a
localized/common ground point, such as the fuse box or dirrect to the battery.

And in cause any of you are wondering how/why i know this, I have been an Automotive EMC test technician for the past 6yrs at either supplier in-house labs (Bosch and TRW) or 3rd party labs.