For a while now, I've heard a sort of clicking/switching sound coming from just behind the steering column or somewhere around there.

It almost sounds like a thermostat switching on/off or the sound that usually accompanies a warning light coming on.

Just wondering if anyone else has heard anything similar and maybe knows what it is?

How often does it occur? While driving / stationary ?

I hear a similar clicking sound approximately 30 seconds after I remove the key from the ignition. It signifies the end of the period during which I can still operate the windows.

funkigreendog,

Do you have ESP? I recall reading something somewhere about clicking noises associated with ESP.

Bob

I think the sound you are talking about is the injector pump, when its quiet, turn the ignition key to "on" so that all the dash lights come up then turn it back to "acc" or "off", you will hear a switching sound from the engine bay.

Thats where I traced the sound to, just behind the rad in front of the block.

Could be turbo1600. I just take these things for granted. Most cars (including an old Diahatsu Mira we have) have fuel line components that activate and click off once the setup is complete shortly after the ignition is turned on.

The ESP noises I referred to are mentioned in the manual, but I have never heard any of them myself.

Bob

The noise is whilst driving and seems to vary in frequency. Some times it seems to happen a few times a minute and then other times I won't hear it for a while.

I don't have ESP either.

I think Turbo's answer appears the most plausible. I'll give what he suggested a go and see if I can hear it.

Not too concerned by it, more just an annoyance than anything. For the first few days I heard it I thought it was actually the keys brushing the steering column!!

I did turn the car on and off and there was a similar clicking noise. Would it be normal for the injector pump to switch on/off whilst driving?