Need Help Diagnosing a Noise

[BigredTEX]

**DISCLAIMER**Before I get blasted for not searching the forum for possible related threads, I have not searched and don't really know what I would search for in this case. I've been a relatively active member of this forum since I bought my truck in February and haven't seen anything remotely related to this issue in that time.**End of Disclaimer**

I've recently noticed a clicking sound similar to a relay clicking when I start the vehicle, put it in driver and start to accelerate. It is coming from the lower left dash area. Sometimes I "think" I can even feel the clicking in the pedals. It only happens when I accelerate forward, not in reverse. It happens 100% of the time and happens whether I have reversed (such as backing out of the driver way or parking space) then accelerated forward or if I have started the vehicle and immediately driven forward. I'll get the click within a couple of seconds of putting it in Drive and stepping on the accelerator. My first thought was it was a relay in the in-cabin fuse box, but after checking the manual I found there are no relays in that fuse box. It only happens after starting the vehicle. It does not happen if I put it in park and leave the engine running and then put it in driver and accelerate. The clicking sound may have been there since day one, but I never noticed it until the last month or so.

One thing I have noticed, and it has only happened a few times, is the slip light will come on for just a second when I transition from reverse to drive and step on the accelerator. I will get a few clicks associated with the anti slip. This has only happened three or four times in the nine months I've owned it and I have taken it to the dealer to be checked out. They found nothing wrong. I don't know if it is related or not.

My first question is do they all do it? If so, I don't need to worry about it. If not, does anybody have any ideas?

 

[Snooperstyle]

FWIW, mine doesn't do it. Were you unable to duplicate it when you test drove with the dealer's tech?

 

[1engineer]

**DISCLAIMER**Before I get blasted for not searching the forum for possible related threads, I have not searched and don't really know what I would search for in this case. I've been a relatively active member of this forum since I bought my truck in February and haven't seen anything remotely related to this issue in that time.**End of Disclaimer**

I've recently noticed a clicking sound similar to a relay clicking when I start the vehicle, put it in driver and start to accelerate. It is coming from the lower left dash area. Sometimes I "think" I can even feel the clicking in the pedals. It only happens when I accelerate forward, not in reverse. It happens 100% of the time and happens whether I have reversed (such as backing out of the driver way or parking space) then accelerated forward or if I have started the vehicle and immediately driven forward. I'll get the click within a couple of seconds of putting it in Drive and stepping on the accelerator. My first thought was it was a relay in the in-cabin fuse box, but after checking the manual I found there are no relays in that fuse box. It only happens after starting the vehicle. It does not happen if I put it in park and leave the engine running and then put it in driver and accelerate. The clicking sound may have been there since day one, but I never noticed it until the last month or so.

One thing I have noticed, and it has only happened a few times, is the slip light will come on for just a second when I transition from reverse to drive and step on the accelerator. I will get a few clicks associated with the anti slip. This has only happened three or four times in the nine months I've owned it and I have taken it to the dealer to be checked out. They found nothing wrong. I don't know if it is related or not.

My first question is do they all do it? If so, I don't need to worry about it. If not, does anybody have any ideas?

Your 4Runner has a myraid of sensors and relays all controlled by the ECU. If Henry Ford was transported somehow to our vehicle he would think it was capable of going to the moon with all the tech going on. I know that self diagnostics are going on at all times and queries for nominal component functionality happen after certain actions, such as stepping on brake, turning key, shifting out of park, etc. I don't pay attention to clicking sounds unless they are not normal because I know function checks are happening all the time. You did make a telling statement above that suggests this is a normal operation and I quote: "It only happens after starting the vehicle. It does not happen if I put it in park and leave the engine running and then put it in driver and accelerate." What this is telling me is whatever condition needs satisfied by energizing a valve or relay happens upon initial start up and shifting to drive and accelerating. Once this happens shifting from park to drive after the engine has been initially started does not cause this action to be taken. So, IMO this is normal. Just because I can't hear it does not mean anything. You might have a louder than normal relay or something but nothing to worry about. Program a PLC once and you quickly learn ladder logic lol.

BTW: Excellent write up and detail of issue. Everyone could learn by reading your post that details matter.

 

[jemel]

Thought I would chime in on this, though it may be completely irrelevant since I am still eagerly awaiting my Runner and only going off my current RAV4.

My RAV4 does the exact same thing and has done so since day 1, however it sounds more like an electric motor than a relay click. I would expect the electric nannies to be at least somewhat similar between the models Toyota makes, and to me it seems some of these systems are activating once placing it into drive. Considering I don't remember any instance this has NOT happened I think this is normal, and wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[1000MPH]

Mine does it. At first I thought it was the door locks, now I think it's associated with the ALB/TRAC/hill hold like you did. Your light most likely comes on when you're shifting from R to D too fast (at least in the car's mind).

 

[BigredTEX]

Thanks for all the quick responses.

Snooperstyle - I took it in for the slip light issue. At that time I hadn't noticed the click as described and didn't ask the dealer about it. They were unable to replicate the slip light, checked for error codes and didn't find any.

1000MPH - I think you hit that issue on the head. The last time it did it (a couple of weeks ago) I was still rolling backward slightly when I moved into drive and got the light.

Overall it appears to be nothing to worry about. I'm due for my first 10K service in a few weeks and I'll ask the service tech about it just in case....

Again, thanks for the feedback.

 

[adam2562]

mine does this too.. it is some some sort of ecu checking system or its activating something and clicks while its doing it.. get it almost every time after backing outta driveway.. doesn't alarm me

 

[coversion]

yep. mine clicks too. Has since day 1. I only notice it after starting, backing out, then clicks a second or 2 after shifting to D.

 

[jamesq]

Thanks for all the quick responses.

Snooperstyle - I took it in for the slip light issue. At that time I hadn't noticed the click as described and didn't ask the dealer about it. They were unable to replicate the slip light, checked for error codes and didn't find any.

1000MPH - I think you hit that issue on the head. The last time it did it (a couple of weeks ago) I was still rolling backward slightly when I moved into drive and got the light.

Overall it appears to be nothing to worry about. I'm due for my first 10K service in a few weeks and I'll ask the service tech about it just in case....

Again, thanks for the feedback.

Stealer would absolutely tell you it is normal.:toilet3: I have two stealers checked on this one time clicking sound, both of them told me it is the ABS checking. PS: I am your neighbor, I went to toyota of plano and toyota of richardson to check this issue. So make sure to go to other stealer, maybe they can tell you something different:cowboy:

 

[FlyNavy]

I think there may be a couple of things happening here and I have experienced both with my 2010 TE. I now expect to see the slip light illuminate and chime if I do not come to a complete stop while transitioning from reverse to drive. Hill hold logic kicking in I do believe.

The pulsing/clicking seems to emanate from the brake pedal area in mine. Not sure if it is associated with the brake boost or performing self-diagnostics, but it consistently happens post-start and/or during the first application of brakes.

As 1engineer already stated, there is a lot going on and for some reason this vehicle talks back a little while doing it. Whether it be this, evap checks, etc., I have accepted it and no longer worry.

 

[westwind77]

**DISCLAIMER**Before I get blasted for not searching the forum for possible related threads, I have not searched and don't really know what I would search for in this case. I've been a relatively active member of this forum since I bought my truck in February and haven't seen anything remotely related to this issue in that time.**End of Disclaimer**

One thing I have noticed, and it has only happened a few times, is the slip light will come on for just a second when I transition from reverse to drive and step on the accelerator. I will get a few clicks associated with the anti slip. This has only happened three or four times in the nine months I've owned it and I have taken it to the dealer to be checked out. They found nothing wrong. I don't know if it is related or not.

My first question is do they all do it? If so, I don't need to worry about it. If not, does anybody have any ideas?

Yes, this has been talked about many times. Yes, the clicking is normal, they all do it, part of the systems.

As far as the slip light, my guess is you were still rolling backwards (even the slightest amount) when you put it into D. You activated either the TRAC or HAC system. You fooled the 4R into thinking you were rolling back or loosing traction. You can replicate it pretty much every time if you back up, let her keep rolling a bit and drop her into D.

 

[BigredTEX]

Stealer would absolutely tell you it is normal.:toilet3: I have two stealers checked on this one time clicking sound, both of them told me it is the ABS checking. PS: I am your neighbor, I went to toyota of plano and toyota of richardson to check this issue. So make sure to go to other stealer, maybe they can tell you something different:cowboy:

I've had good luck at Toyota of Dallas. Hard to get to with all of the construction, but they've taken care of all issues with no questions.

 

[GrantK]

I've had good luck at Toyota of Dallas. Hard to get to with all of the construction, but they've taken care of all issues with no questions.

So what did the say/do???

 

[jamesq]

So what did the say/do???

Curious too.

 

[1000MPH]

It could be the parking brake sensor. Any of you feel like driving a little with the brake on to find out?

 

[jemel]

Now that I have mine I can finally give a little more insight.

One thing I noticed that could be related is the doors auto-lock when the truck starts going forward and unlock when placed in Park. I know this is configurable so some may not have this set up, but this was the behavior when I got my Runner. Could this be it?

 

[BigredTEX]

So what did the say/do???

I haven't taken it to the dealer yet for this issue, but will when I take it in for the 10K service in a few weeks. I did take it in for the slip light coming on and they couldn't replicate it and there were no trouble codes to chase.

I was referring to all other issues I've had them address. The best example is they installed LR UCA's for free. They did the lift and didn't include them, but when I went back to have the light/wandering steering issue addressed they were unable to get the caster set correctly. They said it needed adjustable UCA's to get the alignment where it needed to be. I was fully prepared to pay for it, but they said even though it wasn't included or priced with the lift they knew it was needed to get the alignment correct and should have recommended it at the time, so they comp'ed it. Pretty good customer service in my book.