96SS: Electrical-sounding Clicking Noise, Rough Idle
 

1996 SS, 83,000 miles, stock

Started up the Camaro over the weekend and noticed it idling very rough at times. I also hear what appears to be an electrical clicking sound coming from the engine, kind of like a spark sound. I uploaded a video, and the sound can be heard most prominently at the start and end of the video. The car was idling better at this point, but before it noticeably shook the engine at times--you could see it shake in the engine bay.


My first thought was, of course, OptiSpark. The rough idling reminded me of when my opti completely failed and the engine was badly misfiring. The opti I have was replaced about three years ago along with the water pump. I'm going to take it to my local shop (and have the clutch replaced as well), but am I thinking correctly or might there be something else to check before blaming the opti?

hard to judge from a video, but it sounds a like an ac-clutch engaging to me

going with robroy ^ try unplugging the ac pump and see if it stops.