Clicking/vibrating sound from passenger door

[crazylegs]

As it says in the title really. The sound seems to be in time with movement which suggests that it's something vibrating. It also only happens when the car is warmed up a bit, not when I've just set off.

Something that might be associated is that the window on that side sometimes needs a bit of help in coming back up - my theory is that the window is misplaced and might be vibrating in the door.

Has anybody else experienced anything like this and have any idea how to fix it?

[Chris Smith]

Not sure about the 'warmed up' bit but have you looked at the door switch that turns the interior light on when you open the door? A lot of cars have a small bit of rubber glued onto the door to make sure the switch is fully pressed home when you shut the door. If not, the switch could just be on the edge of coming on and as the car goes over bumps you can hear the relay clicking on and off. To test the theory just try taping the switch in and go for a blast. Hope this helps.

[crazylegs]

Hmmm... is the relay actually in the door, as opposed to in the dash? The sound is definitely coming from the door and doesn't really sound like a relay clicking. Difficult to describe the sound and I've not really noticed it when a passenger's been in to get a second opinion!

[Parrot of Doom]

Peel the seals back with the window down, and check that the height screw isn't loose - its around the middle of the door, about an inch 'inside' the door. If its loose it'll rattle.

[russ_chim]

The only time I've experienced the same thing is when the door is not closed properly!!

[crazylegs]

russ_chim said:

The only time I've experienced the same thing is when the door is not closed properly!!

Aha, that's it! Best way to explain what it sounds like. It is shut properly though, so doesn't solve the problem.

Cheers PoD, I will take a look at that screw.

[jimothy]

russ_chim said:

The only time I've experienced the same thing is when the door is not closed properly!!

This is caused by the courtesy light switch not being fully engaged. The alarm/central locking is all linked to this switch.

Inside the door there should be a rubber pad on the door opposite the switch. If this falls of, the switch doesn't get depressed properly and therefore the car thinks the door is still open.
Tape the switch down. If the problem goes away, stick some kind of pad on the door. I did mine on Saturday using those fibre pads that you stick to the bottom of furniture to stop it scratching a wooden floor...