I have noticed this for some time now, so thought I might as well post about it.

I have found that if I pull away (having just started the car) with a little more acceleration (ie. coming out of a junction a bit sharpish), that when the car hits about 2500rpm there is a relay click coming from the fuse box area, when I get to about 3000rpm I change gear and I hear another click as the rpm drop back down. This is noticeable in definately 2nd and 3rd (not sure about 1st), but only does it the once (for the first use of 2nd and 3rd gear), and if I am accelerating a bit harder than normal.

Doing that also seems make the car more responsive for the rest of the drive. However as I normally leave my driveway and drive down a quiet residental street (one way road) with cars parked on both sides, I have to behave myself, and therefore drive a car that seems to feel less responsive (and struggles more when going up hills)

Car is a 110TDi (2001) with no mods (recently serviced by myself - new oil, filters alround, etc), coming up for 88k miles. New turbo at about 75k due to a sticky valve. Also a replacement MAF and n75 valve about 8 months ago.

Vag-com does not report any fault codes.

Any ideas?

Cheers,

Matt

Actually I fib.... it is 1st and 2nd (could not try 3rd as I hit the speed limit!). First time i have driven the car since last Sunday.

I get exactly the same thing and it only happens once, near the start of every journey. Last week i think something stuck though and i heard a rapid succession of these clicks, but then it went away as soon as it started.

I would be very interested to hear what this fault is.

JD

I have found that if I change up at about 2000 rpm then I don't get the clicks... but then the car seems to lack performance (especially on hills) - have you noticed this as well?

On mine it only happens when its cold after startup and when I put my foot down harder, so its probably an enrichment relay when cold ?

On mine it only happens when its cold after startup and when I put my foot down harder, so its probably an enrichment relay when cold ?

It could be linked to the fuel pump, as i have just had a faulty temperature sensor diagnosed, which means replacing the fuel pump (or injectors or something) under warranty.

I will speak with the mechanic when i leave the car in to get the part fitted and ask about the relay click at the same time. Should have some sort of answer in next couple of weeks.

JD

That would be cool.... no warranty on mine, so I anything I fix comes out of my own pocket.

I shall have to wait to hear what your mechanic says.... I might be tempted to call Yeovil and see what they say as well.... (but boss is in at the moment ;-) )

I get that too when cold but it clicks through gear changes. No idea what it is mind.

I could be wrong on this, but i've noticed it aswel that it happens only when cold... Tell me if i''m wrong but the click from the fuse box happens when it hits about 2000rpm (when the turbo kicks in) and clicks everytime the turbo is turned on and off.

Mine does it too but only until the engine has warmed up a bit. I suspect it would be something to do with cold-engine running - possibly EGR valve control (dunno if they are fitted to the diesel's so I'm guessing really).

Anyway, it's always done it since I've had it so I reckon it's 'normal'.

wow... I started this thread a long time ago! Mine still does it..... although I am not sure it does every day though. Only when cold though..... now on 118.5k

Pretty sure thats the glow plug relay clicking in and out.

The glow plugs come on to start the engine, then they come on again when the engine is running to help witrh diesel knock and warm up. But the glow plug relay cuts out on acceleration.

i still think its the turbo as it clicks with the turbo as it switches on and off

Couldnt see why though as there is nothing on the relay plate relating to the turbo operation, and why only when cold?

Mine also does this, it only ever does it once after I start up, I live down an unmade road and the 1st 1/4 mile of every journey is done in 1st gear as the road is full of holes and bumps, once I pull onto the main road it clicks just before I change upto 2nd gear then never does it again.

I was thinking about this, this morning. I heard no relay clicks and my turbo performance was lacking at best this morning.... I have the same routine each morning. Unlock car, open garage door, get in car & start, drive out of garage, get out of car & shut garage door. Drive 10 metres to the road, pull out onto side road and go. I get relay clicks for the first mile or so I guess....

iirc when mine clicks is does so around the 2k rpm mark, and then again at 2.5k (ie, turn on at 2k, off at 2.5k) - but I would have to take special note next time it happens as it has been a while since I thought about it.

Pretty sure thats the glow plug relay clicking in and out.

The glow plugs come on to start the engine, then they come on again when the engine is running to help witrh diesel knock and warm up. But the glow plug relay cuts out on acceleration.

I'd agree with Lumox - mine has done it for the last 100,000 miles when it's cold (which is quite frequently in Scotland). I always assumed it was the Glow plugs & have never been that worried about it.