What Causes the Abnormal Noise After a Car Shuts Off?

[AryaRose]

The ticking sound after a car shuts off is caused by certain components that were operating at high temperatures during prolonged engine operation. As these parts cool down after shutdown, thermal contraction produces the ticking noise. Below is relevant information about engine shutdown: Causes of Shutdown: Use of substandard fuel (some gas stations sell impure fuel for excessive profits) leading to engine carbon buildup and shutdown, or failures in spark plugs or ignition coils causing one or multiple cylinders to misfire, resulting in shutdown. Solutions: When the vehicle is idling, the speed remains low, and simply restarting the engine suffices after shutdown. For automatic transmission vehicles, the gear must first be shifted to Park or Neutral before the engine can be restarted.