Since the fall whenever I start my car and its below freezing outside I get this clicking sound coming from my passenger side trunk area that lasts for a couple minutes after start up. It sounds exactly like a turn signal, in fact, when it first happened I even got out of my car to check if my turn signal was on somehow. I think it must be some sort of relay of sorts, but I'm not sure whats back there and its not giving me any electrical problems that would allow me to trace the issue. Its fairly audible too. People standing outside my car have even asked me about it.

Any help or insight would be appreciated. Its not giving me any trouble (yet), but I'm not an electrical expert and this is making me scratch my head.

 

Sounds like your exhaust heating up and the metal expanding to me. Mine does something similar.

 

Perhaps you can get in the trunk and have someone drive you around?

 

Its definitely coming from inside the car so I don't think it could be the exhaust. And I only notice it when the car is parked, so no need for a ride in the trunk

Its supposed to be colder this week. I'll remember to take a video next time it happens.

 

Those clicking sounds! (mine sound like a mix between a click and a soft knock from inside the trunk).

I mentioned this issue when I went into the mini service. They said they have never heard of that before and then suggested it might be the little plastic ***** bumping against the cargo cover when I turn
Ugh! No, it's not that. Then they suggested maybe it's something I have in my trunk. Ugh. No! Again, I explained that it happens when the car is not moving. eg. when I pull over and the motor is still running. But I think I've heard it while driving too.

I'm in Northern Cali - no freezing temperatures here, so it's not the weather issue..hmm.

Any ideas what this could be...?

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2010 Mini Cooper

 

I still think it's the exhaust. If you've ever taken the rear seat out you've seen how plausible this is. When you hear it next time, listen under the car. The resonator and muffler are both sitting directly under the trunk...

 

Fair enough. I'll have a look under there next time it happens. It's just that its clicking to the exact same rhythm as a turn signal. The spacing between clicks is so consistent. Its literally as though someone placed a metronome by my passenger taillight. The exhaust clicking would be more sporadic, no?

Motoroso, glad to hear I'm not crazy! Its weird that you notice it all the time. Mine seems to be limited to just colder temperatures.

This is almost exactly what it sounds like for me. Both in terms of the sound itself and the speed of the clicking.

 

Had another thought.. do you have HK audio? If so the amp is in the trunk- maybe some sort of malfunction?

 

Thanks for the suggestion, but no, I don't have the HK system.

 

Rear wiper motor malfunction or tailgate mechanism locking and unlocking??

 

I haven't driven my car in a few days but next time I start it I'm going to open the trunk up (assuming it starts making the noise again) and see if I can find exactly where its coming from. The tailgate mechanism acting screwy is totally possible. Come to think of it, the only time I've noticed the noise is when I've started the car shortly after opening and closing the trunk. It's happened several times when I've been in the parking lot at school after throwing my bag in the trunk and it happened last week before I drove back out to school after loading my trunk up.

 

Makes sense!
Let us know Andy!!!

 

I thought I was going crazy as I have the exact same noise. I just got my first Mini a few weeks ago. The noise is random, it's only done it a few times. Sounds like a turn signal is on. Just like you, I walked around the car to make sure the turn signals weren't blinking. I do have a factory CD changer in the trunk and thought that may have something to do with it...can't wait to find out what is really making the noise.

 

I have an idea.
Pull your tailgate from outside of your car (so it can not be opened). With your keyfob in your hand press repeatedly the button to open the tailgate.

It's that sound? Let us know!

 

I just tried that. No sound whatsoever.

Perhaps my trunk observation was purely coincidental then.