What is that ticking sound at the back of my truck? It's draining my battery.?

What is that ticking sound at the back of my truck? It's draining my battery.?
I have a 2004 f150 Ford truck with about 38000 miles. My battery keeps dying and I've noticed a ticking sound above the fuel tank in the back, on the drivers side - right by the area where I pump the gas in, I took it to the Ford dealer - they dont know what could be making the ticking sound. The mechanic said he would have to take the truck bed off. I thought maybe it was the fuel pump, stuck. He said no. The fuel pump switch or whatever it was he said is under the spare tire. Does anybody know what is above the fuel tank right behind the drivers side that would make that ticking sound. What ever it is keeps getting stuck and drains my battery. It is not all the time, maybe about twice a week (with everyday driving). I appreciate any comments - the Ford dealer wants to charge me an arm and a leg just for taking the bed off to look.


Answers:

dodge man:  i think its a relay,,on it,, i have had the bed off of them before,,but you don't have to pull the bed off,there's a plate you can remove to get this off,its a pump relay i think that mounts up there if I'm not mistaken,i have never had to replace one,,but i have seen them while changing beds once,,good luck hope this help,s.
2007-01-06 21:25:20
Jennifer N:  I can't really think of what it might be right now, but, you could start taking the battery cable off when your truck isn't running..
2007-01-06 21:26:49
William D:  Problem in electrical systems can be very hard to find in automobiles. Having been an electronics for some 30 years it has been my experience to find bad connections caue a lot of problems. This ticking sound is more than likely an electrical spark going to ground. This could be caused by a wire with worn or nicked up insulation in the area you are hearing this. It is also possible that a wire connector is faulty causing this spark. Hope this helps you solve your problem a very close inspection and a lot of time will be essential in finding this problem.
2007-01-06 21:31:00
kayef57:  Might have to change your fuel pump relay. Look in your owner's manuel to find where its at
2007-01-07 07:07:31
Chosen Answer
gearbox1:  The fuel pump relays and such are in the fuse box on passenger side if I remember the trucks (this is 04 and newer body style) .. The soleniod they were talking about is for emissions and is behind the drive axle... But most of this stuff would be loose power as soon as you turn the key off (as it uses usually 2 seperate relays to power almost everything engine wise on this truck.) The pump would make a whirling sound than a clicking, there is a fuel pump switch for accidents but all it is, is an on and off switch basically and it's usually in the cab. Only things on top the gas tank is a sensor for vacuum measurement (that doesn't make any noise) and the fuel pump assembly. Unless you are having the noise echo from somewhere else I've disassembled (and reassembled a few of these gas tanks (got a few around me who love mud riding a little too much and wind up getting dirt in the gas tank) and I can't tell you what you are hearing other than heat from the exhaust does make a ticking sound as it cools off. You need to have a battery drain test performed on the truck as well as a check of the battery.. as I have seen batteries that might start the truck but will die really quick on their own.
2007-01-07 09:52:18