I currently own a 96 TA WS6. During idle, I hear this really odd ticking noise...it definately doesn't sound engine related. It comes on and off at random times, sometimes if I give it some gas, and often it will tick a few times if I turn the AC on or any HVAC settings. The really odd thing is it seems to mess with the idle a little. If it ticks on idle, it seems to cause the engine to stumble, but by a tiny bit (maybe 100rpms MAX) and then the idle returns to normal. Sometimes it will just tick 5 times in a row, sometimes only a couple times, and at random times during idle. Its driving me insane. Its not the AC clutch because when I turn the AC on I can hear the clutch over the ticking noise.

The sound is really hard to explain, it almost sounds like a little short when it happens. Its not the same sound as a lifter tick, at least it doesn't seem that way. Ideas?

 

Rocker, fuel injector, exhaust leak, spark pluc wire arcing.

 

Spark plug arc would be my guess.

 

Plug wires, look under the hood when it's dark outside to find it. Could also be the distributor cap. The traces are extremly close together so GM could make a cap that had the cylinder orientation for each side. Unfortunately being that close together, made for carbon arcing problems. Probably wires though check it out.

 

You're blinker fluid resivoir relay is going out

 

Isn't the AIR system known for ticking at idle? If it was spark plug wire arc it would probably do it pretty often and usually at constant intervals. Check under the hood at dark, if no flashy light show, then it's probably that worthless AIR system that you should rip out and save ~20 pounds.

 

Could be the air system, did you ever get yours replaced for the recall? Most people don't know that the smog air system had a recall, and all of the dealerships were fixing these recalls, free of charge ofcourse. Could be another reason, but the smog air system only operates when the car is in open loop right?

 

I assume its too late for any of these recalls to be performed?