ticking in the dashboard

[semen]

Hello there! Does anyone know what ticking in the dash mean? I had some problems with indicators(they didn't work properly) before. Also I tried to replace relay( I bought a used one) but it didn't help. If you know anything about it please help me.

[NickPicks]

is it a rapid ticking like the indicators but quicker? Mine does it and I think that the indicator stalk has some dirt / corrosion inside which makes the relay click, but doesn't make contact enough to flash the indicators. Apparantly, you can cure it by squirting contact cleaner into the indicator stalk, or removing the indicator stalk and cleaning it. I haven't got around to doing either yet.

Did replacing the relay cure the indicator problems? You could try cleaning / replacing the stalk.

[semen]

Hi NickPicks. Thanks for your advise.
Yes, it is a rapid ticking and it's quite annoying. I will try to clean when I find some contact cleaner and I'll let you know.

When I changed relay unfortunately nothing happened. Looks like I've lost £30.

Regards

[semen]

Hi again. This ticking comes out from the hazard button. It's likely a relay.

[darthweasel]

Worn contacts in the indicator stalk will make the relay built into the hazard switch go a little haywire. Like you I bought and fitted a new hazard switch, but the problem remained. A trip to my local Audi dealer sorted it, from memory the cost wasn't too painful, about £80 fitted I think.

[semen]

Thanks, this can be a real issue. By the way, can it be fixed using used part from a scrap yard?
Regards

[NickPicks]

So long as the scrap car didn't have the same problem, yes.

[darthweasel]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A6-C5-Indicator-Stalk-Cruise-/170784891619?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27c392a2e3

[semen]

Hi there. Thanks everybody for help. A few weeks ago I sorted out the problem. I bought a used indicator stalk on eBay and installed it. It cost me £40 and 1 hour of my time.

[JimTraining]

Forum search is fab, been hitting the dash for the last two days, hazard switch making demented clicks, will get another stalk. Great stuff thanks

[NickPicks]

Interestingly, mine seems to have cured itself when I took the radio out and put it back in again - I'm now wondering if I just have a loose wire on the back of the hazard switch.

[JimTraining]

Being a combination of tight and lazy I thought I would try contact cleaner first before a new stalk, http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_19 5717_langId_-1_categoryId_255223 invested £3.99 sprayed a load in (note to self, use the tube as dash plastics hate contact sprays) tried it, went like crazy and once evaporated, perfect, no ticking, no noise. Fab. Ref taking the radio out and putting it back in, it makes you wonder whether an earthing issue lies beneath. For non IP rated connectors often disconnecting and reconnecting cleans the contacts sufficiently, I wonder? Cheers

[Eric Ashmole]

I have this tick ... tried the hazzard switch I need to try something else! like the indicator stalk.. high revs seam to stop it but that isn't a cure..

[semen]

Hi Nick. Thanks for quick reply. The thing is that when I do signalling there is no noise at all. No clicking as it should be.

[NickPicks]

Hi Nick. Thanks for quick reply. The thing is that when I do signalling there is no noise at all. No clicking as it should be.

Quick reply?

Mine also did that - works fine when signalling, but clicks when not. What I think is this:

Inside the indicator switch there is a build up of dirt/swarf/corrosion which occasionally makes a short circuit to the relay. this makes it tick, but since the switch is not 'on', there's no load on it so the relay just clicks off again.

When you actually indicate, it makes the circuit as intended and works normally.

Some people (as Jim above) have reported a fix of spraying electrical contact leaner into the side of the stalk. This would be consistent with the 'build up of swarf' theory.

My radio removal/replace wasn't a fix as it started again shortly afterwards.

I no longer have the A6, so I can't try it to find out.