Donn144

In my 87 There is a clicking sound which seems to be related to the vacuum system..particularly when I start the car..and then continues even after I turn off the car but leave the aux power running.

Certain vacuums open or close something (i.e. I do not know which vents) upon start up. It sounds like a relay switch repeatedly trying to close. Perhaps it is whatever creates the vacuum pressure trying to run. At first sounds come from right above the driver's knees and can also be heard near the vent in the middle of the dash.

Any and all ideas are appreciated.

Thx

rogerz

pretty typical. the vacuum operated motors that close and open various things in the climate control are located just below the steering column. check your vacuum hoses from the engine to the cabin. they are often rotted out by now. if you go thru the fsm you will find a section on checking those things. if you are getting heat and cold then mostly a nuisance noise.

Donn144

OK thx..I'll rip off the panel tomorrow. Not to boast..but this car is rather fresh considering the age. Maybe a hose came loose..thx again. I'll let you know.

BTW I did not not get all the start up vacuum noise from my 88..did they change things or just a different model?

rogerz

they seem to be pretty much the same thru all the z31. If you have the original hoses you will find a white stripe going to the vac tank from the manifold. blue stripe goes to the water valve on the firewall. red hose goes thru the firewall to a Tee usually taped to the heater box. from there it goes left and right. usually the cabin hose is okay. the stuff that goes is the hose exposed to the heat of the engine in the engine compartment itself. This may not apply if you have the analog climate control. if you have the digi model then look at hoses for sure.

Donn144

I pulled off the panel and got real close to hear the sound. In your last email you refered to the startup sounds I get on the AE with the canister and all.

These sounds I traced down to what seem to be a bank of golden solenoids right near the intersection of vents. The sound is that of a solenoid trying to open or shut over and over. that is the ticking sound. I can feel the heat build up on the solenoids as well as the slight vibration.

I do not think I had this with analog climate controls in my 88. I am starting to miss the simplicity of analog now that I have to fix this problem.

Do I replace the entire bank or just one of them..I guess I look online for the part
What do you think?

86tcoupe

I can tell you how to fix this ,1st get a hold of some Van Halen,Foriegner or Meatloaf BOH , maybe G&R your call, and crank it to 11

problem solved

zxguy1986

Dude, awsum! My Van Halen CD totally worked on this! My Meatloaf CD is warped since my GF used it to scoop hot beans at the church picnic. I cleaned most of the beans off but it's too warped to slide in the CD slot now. The Foreigner CD was so so.. dunno, I could still hear the clicks. But Van Halen TOTALLY knocked it out of the friggin park! Problem is totally solved. Thanks!

Donn144

I have left the original tape deck in the car..it actually seems to blow the fuse in the back..not sure why. Those fuses are tough to find and a bitch to replace and with the state of the news today..I am quite happy to just be with myself and my thoughts.
Car radio systems are quite over hyped in my opinion. But, note, that it is guys who are over a certain age who are fed up with paying for gas and want a Tesla or EV..younger guys haven't been hit long enough to get fed up. It will get you too my young friends. Same thing is you'll have enough of the same music over & over..Am I sounding grumpy enough? Not too grumpy to enjoy my ride.