RAY MAGLIOZZI

Dear Car Talk: Why does my early 2000s Honda Civic make a clicking sound while the wheel straightens out? It happens after I make a right or left-hand turn with the blinker on. — Luca

It depends on the nature of the clicking sound, Luca. If it’s a soft clicking sound that seems to be coming from the area of the steering wheel, then it could be related to your multifunction switch. That’s the steering-column stalk you use to activate the directional signals and lights.

Since you generally only turn the steering wheel one revolution in either direction during normal driving, I wouldn’t expect you to get multiple clicks when the wheel straightens out. But I suppose it’s possible.

So, your first test should be to try to replicate the noise without using the blinkers. If there’s no noise, then your 20-plus-year-old multifunction switch is probably the cause of the noise. If you still get the clicking noise without the directional signals on and it sounds more like it’s coming from the front wheels, the next thing I’d suspect would be a bad CV joint.

The CV is a flexible joint that allows the axle to transmit power to the front wheels, while still allowing those wheels to turn left and right and steer the car. Eventually, those joints wear out, and when they wear out, the first symptom is often a clicking sound. Although, as a veritable sommelier in the fine art of car noises, I would describe it more as a clacking sound — with metallic notes and an oaky finish.

Bad CV joints tend to make noise when accelerating into a turn — for example, when you take off from a stoplight, turning right or left.

If you want to experiment, go to a parking lot, turn the wheel all the way in one direction, and step on the gas. No noise? Try turning the wheel the other way. See if you can replicate the noise and figure out which side of the car it’s coming from.

Whether you narrow it down or not, an experienced mechanic (and even not-so-experienced mechanics) will be able to tell the difference between a multifunction switch noise that’s coming from inside the cabin and a CV joint noise that’s coming from a front wheel.

Got a question about cars? Write to Ray in care of King Features, 300 W. 57th St., 41st Floor, New York, NY 10019, or email by visiting the Car Talk website at www.cartalk.com.