Hi guys,

Just purchased a fiat brava 1.6 16v and I am noticing that when i turn key so leds are on (just before starting) i can hear a whirring and clicking noise which goes on in a kind of loop which seems to be coming from some part of the dashboard although i cant really trace its origin, this noise is also present when engine is running (ie constantly) but not audible at all while engine is on.

I was wondering if this is normal, or if its something abnormal and some of you may have encountered it before.

clicking suggests a relay. that fact that it repeats suggests an open circuit that is earthing out constantly as soon as ignition is switched on. which relay is making the noise will tell you which circuit has the fault.

open the fusebox cover and listen for the noise in there (most relays are on back side of fuse box). also listen under the glove box as there are relays behind it. also open the bonnet and listen in there as there are relays in the engine bay.

have you noticed any electrical faults? if anything is not working correctly it could be due to this problem. you could then try remving the fuse for whatever is not working, and if the noise stops, you then know which circuit has the fault.

i have not noticed any faults, i also had an electrician look at it, and after a puzzled look while listening, told me it is a normal sound. Also, the clicking isnt always there, sometimes it is just a kind of whirring/humming which may go on incessantly rather than in a loop style fashion with the click.

On some occasions, I also hear the click.

Still not convinced its normal mind hehe.

Only thing i noticed not working is cigarette lighter, but checked it for current and its ok, electrician told me lighter itself needs to be changed, so i reckon it isnt the source

DrGonzo said:

i have not noticed any faults,

Click to expand...

i thought central locking was playing up? thats a very likely culprit.

well central locking is fine, i just get the rare instance where i cant lock, i usuallyresolve this by opening and closing door and reinserting key, then it locks. might just be me being a doofus when it comes to locking