I am a newbie and looking for a little help, I have a 2001 JGC with the 4.0 Inline6, It has 170kmi on it and has had a few issues since I got it, Fan control switch, vaccum leak, oil pressure sensor etc. I guess all is pretty common with this year, Anyhow, While inspecting those issues I noticed a knocking type noise, I thought it was coming from the motor but when I would go to the passenger side I would not hear it, on the driver side it was evident, after feeling around the engine I couldnt feel a knock it feels like its running smooth, but on the driver side close to the firewall there is a black box with a solenoid type thing in front of it, Maybe a vaccum purge valve or something I dont know. But when I feel the little round black solenoid thing it feels likes its pulsating and making a tick noise. Can someone explain what this may be and should I be worried about it. could my engine have a knock in the lower end causing this somehow? any help or advice is appriciated.
thanks

 

look like a charcoal canistyer ans evap purge selinoid nevr seen one there thought most are on the pass side

 

My XJ does the same thing, it made me so mad for the longest time until I figured out where it was coming from, thought it was a knock. Pretty sure its an evap solenoid, the lines on mine go to the evap can.

 

mrfajita,
did you fix yours or have you just been running it that way? is there any harm you guys think in running it like this.
Also, I did just replace a small vaccum hose that was broke under the battery tray, when I did that is it possible that it isnt purged properly or something?

 

It doesn't need to be fixed, it is normal operation. Solenoids make noise, simple as that.

 

Good enough for me, thanks for the information.