I hear a clicking noise such as electrical points opening and closing in the area of the fuse box. As this happens the heater fan, headlights, inside panel lights, dashboard lights all flash. so it seems it involves a major circuit. The owner of the local Firestone suggested the main fuse may need replacing but did not look at it. I thought the main fuse resides under the hood, the clicking is coming from the fuse box area. Any ideas?

there are a few things that could be wrong here so lets see if we can help you out answers to these questions are important 1.was the car overheating? yes/no 2.does the fan operate when you turn on the heater from low/high? yes/no 3.do you smell antifreeze our is there a leak that can be seen on the engine/on the ground/inside the passenger area ? yes/no 4.did you check the fuses for all components related to the heater A. Automatic temperature control/fan motor B. Does this only happen when you are accelerating? ex. all fan/heater force disappears and comes back when you let up on the gas peddle/or the engine RPM stabilizes Al Diggs maybe right here this is possible, but we all need a little more specifics on when this is happening, so a better description of what exactly is happening will help us help you and stop you from spending more $$$ without proper results so PLEASE CHECK ALL ITEMS LISTED HERE A. are you losing coolant B. do you hear a hissing noise in the passenger or engine compartment C. Are all fuses good inside passenger fuse box/ engine power distribution box Please post back with more specifics/answers and we will get to the cause of your problem here stephen

The clicking noise from fuse box is probably a relay! Nothing happening could mean anything! Without turning the ignition can you turn on headlights, does the inside light come on when you open the door, horn work?

Does this happen constantly or only when you have the cabin a/c or heater fan blowing? Do you hear it when the vehicle is running but not moving? I suspect that something fell down into one of the windshield defroster vents and is rattling around inside the blower fan cage.

There is a hatch release relay in the rear electrical panel that has likely gone bad. Replace it and you should be just fine.

The clicking noise you hear is the relay trying to close, but it is worn enough that it won't allow it to engage long enough for the latch to release.

The relay panel is in the trunk area on the driver's side, inside the small recessed stowage area with the netting at the very rear of the car.

The second junction block (No. 2) is found under the hood on the forward part of the left wheelhouse (driver's side). The fuses, fusible links and relays in this junction block generally control the engine and major electrical systems on the car, such as headlights (separate fuses for left and right), air conditioning, horns, fuel injection, ECM, and fans.

The arrow is pointing to the headlight fuse.

Check all of the fuses located in the black box under the hood close to the battery on top of the inner fender. All power to the car begins there. Check for large fuses 30 amp to 60 amp. Make sure the heater fan is left unplugged. When working on components under the dash always disconnect the ground cable from the battery

check there for broken wires or loose connections.

you have a defective courtesy light switch that is causing the relay to open and close, that is the clicking u hear, this flashes the courtesy/interior lights on and off.

the heater core is not under hood it is locatied behind glove box inside

Thank you allowing me to provide my assistance.

Is the noise that you hear a loud "humming" nosie? If so, I need you to remove the lower panel, under the glove box, (if it has one), and remove the 3 screws that hoilds the heater fan to the plastic box. After removing the fan, inspect the fan and inside the box for debris. Most likely, you will find some type of debris contained in the fan blades. This is very common, I drop 2-3 fan motors a week around this time of year. You may also find a rodent nest in the fan area.