Hello  

 

I wonder if anyone has any idea on a fault that appears to have infected the car over the winter (2011 VRS).

 

It appears the car has developed a clicking sound from the steering wheel on the right hand side.

 

It's random when it does it, I doesn't have a patten I have tried everything for example it does it if you start the car from cold or if you have been driving for 10 mins and about to park up and it will make the sound and then go even if you restart the engine.

 

The "Clicking" I think sounds like a relay but I am not sure, its the same sound as if you have pressed a button in the car or moved the gear shifter, it doesn't have any affect on the steering and its not the pump, also there is nothing rubbing in the steering column.

 

Any ideas ???

 

Thanks 

 

Ron 

It's a fault with the radio, if you turn the volume knob clockwise that sorts it out.

On a more serious note, that seams strange, does it only do it when you're indicating or does it do it when you aren't (or vice versa) because I'm sure mine does the same thing (but I used the volume knob fix) when for instance you come to a roundabout, indicate right but are turning slightly to the right, then you turn left to go onto the roundabout and it clicks when you go past centre as I recall.

Edited 3 January, 201412 yr by Outofthi5world

 Thanks for the fix I will try that 

 

Funny enough it doesn't matter at all if the indicator is on or not, you really notice it when you are parking up or just pulling out of a car parking space. 

 

The noise isn't dependant on how much you turn the steering wheel either.

I've got a 2011 VRS estate and mine does this too!

I thought it was a relay as I get a similar sound when the window wipers are on? Weird.

Phew, I am glad its not just mine ... 

 

If you have any joy on what it is let me know, I had mine booked into Skoda and the car didn't do it!!! Typical 

Yeah it seems to be random when it does it. I haven't really given it much thought and just plan to monitor it rather then look at 'fixing' it as it might not even be a fault at all!

Who knows, will keep you updated :-)

I thought it was a relay as I get a similar sound when the window wipers are on? Weird.

I've noticed that one, gotta be a relay there because it happens every time they turn on. But it doesn't explain the steering click.

Mine does this too. I think it's because of the battery. You see it's just 44Ah so when you have lightson, or a/c, or rear windshield demist button activated, or having alarm lights on and even worse if you have a combination of the above then it is a "fight" between comfort system (a/c, radio, demist etc) and safety system (steering rack, steering wheel etc) and then safety wins, so we can hear the relay clicking due to over demand on electric power.

 

This problem can be solved if a new bigger battery is fitted. A friend of mine replaced his near dead battery with an 65Ah one and no more clicking sound.

It's Interesting what you say, however if that was the case surely everyones car would do it if they have the same battery installed :think: . 

 

It does make sense what you say but when it has happened to me there was nothing extra on in the car (Aircon/Radio etc). 

Then are you sure it's a clicking sound and not a squeeking or creaking sound? Sometimes the steering wheel's cable 'tape' makes a similar sound when is worn

Its 100% a clicking sound and the fact it comes from the right hand side where the fuse box makes me think its some kind of relay.

You said there is clicking sound when no a/c or rear windscreen demist is on but yet doesn't your car has the daylights activated ? I am almost sure that this sound is due to excessive electric power demand. The steering rack is consuming a vast amount of power. And please keep in mind that this sound does not occur every time there is demand on electric power but at a percentage of 80% of the times.

 

By the way it will be interested to find out what cause that clicking sound in your car. 

Agreed and thankyou for the comments what you say could be true, Lets see how many times it does it before the nice weather arrives around August 

I hadn't thought much about it but now you mention it I've noticed it in my car. It's due to go back to Skoda for the oil consumption test so I'll ask them about it then. I've never found anything specific to cause it other than turning on full lock.

We have found the answer 

 

The boss (AKA wife) Discovered its the rear window being on causes the noise, So Stratosg was correct as he listed it as one of the possible causes 

 

Now off tomorrow to the dealers to get it booked in as it does it on command now.

Its possibly the airbag being loose inside.  Friend had new airbag fitted and hey presto no clicking.

As someome has said, it's the car 'managing' its power demands/consumption.

 

On a winter's day, when the a/c, rear window demister & lights are all on, the car will divert power to the 'essential' requirements e.g. steering. As items are switched off or travelling in a straight line, no relays are switching-over.