[John 124 UK]

Just curious if anyone knows - when powering up from cold - but without starting the engine i.e. foot off clutch and press start button once to illuminate dash warning lights.
At this point there has always been a ticker-ticker-ticker-ticker sound from the engine bay. It is clearly something priming ready for an engine start, but I'm not sure exactly what it's doing? If I miss this intermediate step and go straight to engine start (foot on clutch, press start button, engine fires) I don't hear it.

 

[ameridan]

I wrote about the relay delays you're hearing in my article Prepping for “the great white north” winters

 

[Pete124]

It is the sound of your heart pumping ready for the adrenaline rush .
What ameridan says. Starting up in a quiet garage it can be quite loud.

 

[mtnghost]

The electronic throttle does a position check upon first start. This is likely what your hearing. Relays usually click once so if your getting multiple clicks before starting my money is on the throttle body.

 

[Augerhandle]

I thought it was the car impatiently tapping its fingers waiting for me to crank it...