Rattle in dash

[DWeg1998]

This noise in my dash has been driving me crazy for months. I have used a mechanics stethoscope and isolated the noise to the lower dash, in between the oil pressure gauge and the tach. I can temporarily eliminate the noise by pushing up on the dashboard cover. Sometimes like in this video I can aggravate the noise.

https://youtu.be/L08AqTeEBvk

Taking all the gauges out and looking around from inside the trunk I can’t isolate anything wrong. I wonder if the rattle isn’t from underneath the dash pad. Or could it be from the gauges themselves? I don’t think it is tied to the electrics because I believe I am hearing the noise with a hard slam of the door and the car off. I’m also not isolating the noise to the gauges, switches, or any electrics with the stethoscope.

I’ve sprayed silicon spray around, cleaned up the wiring, and put Velcro strips in between the dash and dash pad, but no luck eliminating this noise.

[Hellraiser]

I had a similar noise which prooved to be the shift linkage.
It sounded like it came from behind the dash..

[kavadarci]

that would drive me crazy, interested to find out what causes it.
I usually have luck stuffing velcro in any plastic to plastic or contacts area in the dash, try that.

[RSBob]

Like you rattles drive me up the wall and I will spend way too much time tracking them down and eliminating them. Yours is particularly bad.

One thing I have learned is that where you hear the rattle may not be the actual location, or even close. Expand your search area and tap or bump areas to replicate.

If you feel the rattle is originating between the dash pad and instruments, you might try inserting some foam strip, like window insulation, between the two to act as a cushion.

Check the tightness of all fasteners and the clearance between the steering surround and lower dash top. But expand your search area.

Probably haven’t told you anything you haven’t already tried, but you will find it.

Quick story, rattle hysteria is genetic since I caught it from my dad He had a new Mercedes back in the 90s with a dash rattle. He took it to the dealer twice and they couldn’t find it. In desperation he handed me his stethoscope and offered me $500 if I could find it. Keep in mind, despite his car, he was super cheap. I tried on 3 long drives and never could pin it down. He did hen sold the car. It was the last European car he bought switching to Japanese which he has loved ever since.

[proporsche]

Hi ..Dweg..so you are putting the finger on a solid part of the body where gauge is located,right?
And by touching the body -or applying little force you can hear the clicking..comfirm please

Ivan

[DWeg1998]

In the video, putting downward pressure on the vertical part of the dash that holds the gauges is changing the noise. If I put pressure pushing forward on the dash in between the Oil Pressure Gauge and the Tach, the noise stops. Or if I push forward on the gauges themselves, the noise stops. If I put pressure, lifting up on the dash pad overhang above the gauges, it also stops.

The noise is significantly loud with vibrations at startup, or if the car is running hotter like when I've been in traffic with AC on. Also if I'm going over bumps.

With the stethoscope I could hear the clicking/vibration loudly with the tool touching the spot on the dash between the two gauges.

But I'm not finding anything behind that spot in the dash being the source of the problem.

My best remaining guesses for the problem is something loose/broken under the dash pad (Checked and the bolts holding the dash pad on the driver's side are tight). Or in the steering column under the dash- haven't yet removed steering wheel and plastic shroud in steering column.

[DWeg1998]

Red X where I am hearing the noise the loudest:

[proporsche]

i sleep on it ...till manana...
ivan

[Pedro '84 Coupe]

I had a bad rattle in my dash. Turned out the bolts that secure the wiper motor to the linkage had backed out. Tightened up the bolts and the noise went away. Not saying this is the issue with yours but it's worth a look.

[proporsche]

this noise sounds like static....

Ivasn

[DWeg1998]

Originally Posted by Pedro '84 Coupe

I had a bad rattle in my dash. Turned out the bolts that secure the wiper motor to the linkage had backed out. Tightened up the bolts and the noise went away. Not saying this is the issue with yours but it's worth a look.

Thanks I’ll give that a look checking the wiper motor bolts. But I think the noise is coming more from the drivers side.

[DWeg1998]

Originally Posted by proporsche

this noise sounds like static....

Ivasn

Yes, don’t think it is electrical but it does sound like it.

[grant lyon]

+1
bolts that secure the wiper motor to the linkage had backed out

[DWeg1998]

As of right now it is not rattling. I backed off these two Allen bolts behind the gauges (with the square washers) in the steering column a half turn. The noise was coming right from around there. I think that is what did it but we’ll see if this comes back or I’m just not hearing it right now.

[DWeg1998]