Strange Ticking Noise on Warm Start Up

[Thresh]

I have a B8.5 with about 70k on it. I've noticed lately that when the I start the car after I've driven it recently, like to the store or gym ect. It makes a hard clicking noise at about 10mph plus. It doesn't do it at idle and the clicking doesn't increase with RPM it's just a steady clicking sound.

Doesn't happen all the time either so it's hard to trace what it is. Anyone else experience this? I've had a few people tell me it could be a relay fault somewhere but who knows.

Any advice would be a appreciated!

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[jygesq]

Possibly a rock caught between a brake disk and the metal shield on the wheel.

[Thresh]

But it doesn't sound like like a metallic clicking more like plastic. Today I tried shutting the car off as soon as the noise started and when I turned it back on it didn't do it. So confused as to what could be causing this.

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[jygesq]

S4 are know to make a sound at 9mph from stop. Have you just notice the sound? At 9mph the is click (a single one) from the system the controls the electronic motor mounts.Is that what you are you hearing. BUT the sound I am commenting about occurs at 9 mph.

[Thresh]

S4 are know to make a sound at 9mph from stop. Have you just notice the sound? At 9mph the is click (a single one) from the system the controls the electronic motor mounts.Is that what you are you hearing. BUT the sound I am commenting about occurs at 9 mph.

The more I look into it the more I'm thinking it's a motor mount solenoid. It's like a woodpecker sound honestly. And yeah around 9mph is usually when it kicks in but it's not a single click it does it repeatedly. But it never increases in repetition.


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[s4matty]

This solenoid for evap also tics pretty loud.
It comes and goes but mainly the 1st few min when you start the car.
Put your hand on it when you start the car and you will feel the tic through it.
20180508_175525.jpeg

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[jygesq]

The more I look into it the more I'm thinking it's a motor mount solenoid. It's like a woodpecker sound honestly. And yeah around 9mph is usually when it kicks in but it's not a single click it does it repeatedly. But it never increases in repetition.


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Motor mount clicks once when you reach 9 mph. But when you stop and start again you can hear the click again at 9 mph, but only one click.

At least that is what I hear with my car and many other S4,owners say they have the same noise at 9mph also

[Thresh]

Motor mount clicks once when you reach 9 mph. But when you stop and start again you can hear the click again at 9 mph, but only one click.

At least that is what I hear with my car and many other S4,owners say they have the same noise at 9mph also

Yeah for me the sound isn't once. It just keeps making the clicking sound. Perhaps it's a fault with the solenoid?

This solenoid for evap also tics pretty loud.
It comes and goes but mainly the 1st few min when you start the car.
Put your hand on it when you start the car and you will feel the tic through it.
20180508_175525.jpeg

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Next time I start my car I will try this.

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[Richi's4]

Motor mount clicks once when you reach 9 mph. But when you stop and start again you can hear the click again at 9 mph, but only one click.

At least that is what I hear with my car and many other S4,owners say they have the same noise at 9mph also

I have this same issue. Every time I take off at around 9mph I hear a click and it is driving me crazy. Has anyone fixed this problem? Do we need to replace the motor mount?


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[jygesq]

I have this same issue. Every time I take off at around 9mph I hear a click and it is driving me crazy. Has anyone fixed this problem? Do we need to replace the motor mount?


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dealer said even A4 do it. Once you know what it is ,you will get used to it. I was more concerned about what caused it. New mounts will not fix it. A code will be caused if you disconnect them. As long as I know the cause, I no longer am worried about it.

[1ronin]

I have ticking noise when I hit about 20-40mph. The sound comes from around the transmission and can be heard when windows are open.
One Audi dealer told me it’s the speed sensor, another dealer can’t replicate the issue after two weeks of having the car.
Very frustrating on long trips where there are low speed limits.
Wife hates driving my car due to this issue as it sounds like something is going to break anytime soon.

Would like to know if anyone else experienced the same thing.

[hilmar2k]

I have ticking noise when I hit about 20-40mph. The sound comes from around the transmission and can be heard when windows are open.
One Audi dealer told me it’s the speed sensor, another dealer can’t replicate the issue after two weeks of having the car.
Very frustrating on long trips where there are low speed limits.
Wife hates driving my car due to this issue as it sounds like something is going to break anytime soon.

Would like to know if anyone else experienced the same thing.

If you figure it out, let me know so I can try to replicate your ticking sound.

[1ronin]

If you figure it out, let me know so I can try to replicate your ticking sound.

I had to go through an hour and a half drive hearing this clicking noise. And this is non stop driving so doesn’t apply to the comments mentioned above about stopping and sensor resetting.

Best to record proof so you can bring to the dealership. I rode with the mechanic and after 5-6 passes around the block the noise finally showed up.

Also it sounds more like your doors auto locking, but coming from under you and can faintly feel it from inside the car.

I thought it was temperature, 18” winter wheels, nope got those changed and still clicking persists.

On the way back from our trip with all that clicking, I received Mechatronic failure error while on the highway. Luckily I just got near home and close to an Audi dealership so dropped by with luggage and all and swapped in for a loaner while they fix the Mechatronic under warranty.

That experience got me worried as something that big happened so randomly. And I do worry that myself or my wife might get stranded someday, so we try not to go too far in the S4.

I’ve now moved to another city and have an appointment at the local dealership in two weeks. I am going to ask them to check it to see if this dealership has a different experience and maybe finally fix it.

Will report back if any thing found different.

[hilmar2k]

I had to go through an hour and a half drive hearing this clicking noise. And this is non stop driving so doesn’t apply to the comments mentioned above about stopping and sensor resetting.

Best to record proof so you can bring to the dealership. I rode with the mechanic and after 5-6 passes around the block the noise finally showed up.

Also it sounds more like your doors auto locking, but coming from under you and can faintly feel it from inside the car.

I thought it was temperature, 18” winter wheels, nope got those changed and still clicking persists.

On the way back from our trip with all that clicking, I received Mechatronic failure error while on the highway. Luckily I just got near home and close to an Audi dealership so dropped by with luggage and all and swapped in for a loaner while they fix the Mechatronic under warranty.

That experience got me worried as something that big happened so randomly. And I do worry that myself or my wife might get stranded someday, so we try not to go too far in the S4.

I’ve now moved to another city and have an appointment at the local dealership in two weeks. I am going to ask them to check it to see if this dealership has a different experience and maybe finally fix it.

Will report back if any thing found different.

Well, I was making a joke about the ticking noise keeping my wife from wanting to drive my car (she doesn't really want to anyway), but that sucks. I hope you get your issues resolved. And now I no longer want the ticking.....

[1ronin]

Well, I was making a joke about the ticking noise keeping my wife from wanting to drive my car (she doesn't really want to anyway), but that sucks. I hope you get your issues resolved. And now I no longer want the ticking.....

Thanks, hopefully yours doesn’t end up being Mechatronic failing like mine. I wonder what else can go wrong lol. I’m already starting to look at alternative vehicles but nothing checks off all the things I want in a car like the S4 does. I don’t want to move up to the B9 just doesn’t feel solid for some reason and not a fan of electric AWD systems where they slap on AWD to non AWD cars and are heavily front or rear biased.

[Thresh]

Okay so update on my end at least. I'm aware of the one click at 9mph that's normal. After starting to pay attention to it I've noticed that the ticking noise I'm hearing is that happening, but the thing is it doesn't happen just once. I keeps clicking nonstop, like its failing. I had VAGCOM scan done and it came up with a code stating "motor mount solenoid failure". I assume this has to be it. Haven't taken it in the shop to get it confirmed but will update once I do.

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[1ronin]

Okay so update on my end at least. I'm aware of the one click at 9mph that's normal. After starting to pay attention to it I've noticed that the ticking noise I'm hearing is that happening, but the thing is it doesn't happen just once. I keeps clicking nonstop, like its failing. I had VAGCOM scan done and it came up with a code stating "motor mount solenoid failure". I assume this has to be it. Haven't taken it in the shop to get it confirmed but will update once I do.

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Same exact thing with me, constant ticking.
I’ll ask them about motor mount as well in two weeks. Hopefully that solves the mysterious ticking noise.

[1ronin]

Went to dealership last Friday, and the car didn’t throw any codes even though I mention to look at the motor mounts. The ticking still persists randomly and it’s annoying me still. I really don’t know where to go from here and don’t want to give up and live with it.
I have not driven another S4 so have not experienced if this is normal or not.
This is the beauty of forums where you can ask other owners if they experience the same thing. So far nobody has an explanation for this ticking noise.
I will continue to drive on and keep researching.
If you get an update on your end please share.

[Thresh]

Mine has seemed to happen a lot less lately. I might sound crazy but ever since its warmed up in my area the clicking has stopped. They other day it was colder than usual and raining and the clicking started again. Next day was back close to 70 and no issue. Still annoying and still an obvious issue with the car.

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[Richi's4]

Went to dealership last Friday, and the car didn’t throw any codes even though I mention to look at the motor mounts. The ticking still persists randomly and it’s annoying me still. I really don’t know where to go from here and don’t want to give up and live with it.
I have not driven another S4 so have not experienced if this is normal or not.
This is the beauty of forums where you can ask other owners if they experience the same thing. So far nobody has an explanation for this ticking noise.
I will continue to drive on and keep researching.
If you get an update on your end please share.

I disconnected the plug from the two motor mount and the click went away since the relay was not activating at 9mph. I connected the plug and it started clicking again. I erased the code with vagcom since I can’t go to the dealer due to all the mods my car has. I suggest you disconnect the plug and see if the click goes away. If it does, reconnect and take it to the dealer and complain about the mounts. They will see the code and probably consider the replacement. In my case, I’m going to deal with the click and then buy the 034 street density motor mounts.


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[camdarlington]

The more I look into it the more I'm thinking it's a motor mount solenoid. It's like a woodpecker sound honestly. And yeah around 9mph is usually when it kicks in but it's not a single click it does it repeatedly. But it never increases in repetition.


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Having the EXACT same issue with my S5. In fact the technician trying to diagnose it said it sounded like a woodpecker too! Stops clicking as soon as I slow back down to around 5mph. It is a steady clicking and does not change with speed or rpm. Did you resolve the problem yet? I've been stumped with this one for a few months now.