Is there a fix for the cold start tick?

Grumpy Bear · February 16, 2020

On 4/2/2014 at 7:35 AM, Mossyoakglock said:

So I seem to be getting the cold start tick more and more now. It used to only do it when the temps were in the 30's and below but now it's mid 50's and the truck is still doing it. Every time I take it to my dealer they can never reproduce the sound and I even have video proof. They always say it's normal.

Of those of you that have it, have you had your dealer or GM fix the issue? Is there even a fix?

I refuse to believe that this is "normal" just like they say with the oil consumption issue. With all this crap going on with the ignition switches it makes me wonder what else GM might not be addressing.

On 4/26/2014 at 12:43 AM, white1500 said:

My truck only ticks for about 30 seconds when it's below 50 degrees f.

And my dads '06 4.8 had a nonstop ticking that was just eliminated by some random mechanic who operates out of his garage. From what I've been told the tick was removed by replacing some sort of seal or filter at the oil pump. The tick was nonstop and it was only getting worse but now its 100℅ gone! Nothing was done to the lifters or any part of the valve train.

Mystery solved.

Just fixed this issue and you will not believe what it was. There is a plastic dust cover behind the starter for the flex plate. It warped and 'ticks' off the flex plate weight(s) until it gets warm enough in that area to clear the weights.