IT'S A BOMB! :-o hehe

Anyways I get this ticking noise in my 95 tsi automatic, mostly at idle or in 1st gear, but it matches engine RPM. It goes away when I shift or move the engine by turning or accelerating quickly. Happens most commonly when I've been driving hard and then roll to a slow stop.

Sounds exactly like crank sensor ticking inside the car, but when I get out and listen I can't hear anything ticking. Definitely not lifter tick either.

In the dash? Where in the dash? Nothing in the dash can really tick that is rpm dependent. Is it coming from right on the other side of the dash? :P

mine does that too. It's not REALLY coming from the dash, just sounds that way. Only does it sometimes and can't hear it outside the car. I thinkthe engine drowns it out.
I usually hear it in 1st gear, idle-3K then it goes away but comes back when I decelerate.
Mine's been doing it since I got it and 35K later, still no worse or better. :shrug
I wouldn't worry about too much.

Same....my car hasnt' exploded yet

Thanks guys.

Yeah, it seems to come from deep inside the dash on the driver side, like maybe behind the gauge cluster or steering column right near the firewall. I can hear it fairly loud under the dash. Maybe it's the engine but I really can't hear it outside the passenger compartment. Ah well no worries. It's a DSM.

Lifter tick ? There is nothing in the dash it self that can make any noise.

Originally posted by Jeff_99gs
NT? FWD? And Auto? You might as well just drive that thing right off a cliff. :thumbsup

more then likely you have the common problem of injector tick. THat is very rpm dependent. IT is commonly solved be replacing the fuel filter and running injector cleaner through it.

I've had 5 dsm's and 7 engines. I'm really really familiar with what lifter tick is. This isn't it. Lifter tick comes from the lifters, which are under the valve cover, which is not where this noise is coming from (see original question).

How would replacing the fuel filter help the lifters? The lifters never see gasoline at any time in their life.

no he's saying its not lifter tick but rather "injector tick" or something, and changing the fuel filter will help---I have the same problem and i'll be changing the fuel filter in th enext 2 weeks or so with new injectors, reminmd me and I'll PM you or sometjhing if the sound goes away

actually, now that you mention it, I don't think I've heard it since I put it the 550's...

He said injector. Not lifter. heh duhhh :owned

Ok thanks, I'll check out the injectors next time I hear it.

lol....I think when the injectors become real dirty and this starts to happen. Most people lose the sound once new injectors are put in. IF you plan on keeping them, fuel filter and/or injector cleaner SHOULD take care of this problem.

I am sure you would know if you had lifter tick.....lol.