Rattle in dash is driving me nuts!!!

kc4runner · 11-20-2002, 05:05 PM

I have a really annoying rattle in my dash (sounds like a cable or wire harness is loose behind the cluster - only does it going over a bump). A few weeks ago I took it to the dealer and they said it was fixed. But of course, it isn't. Going to the dealer is an all day affair and NO loaner car. I think it is coming from behind the stereo or speedo cluster. Is there an easy way to take off the facia around the radio? It is easy to duplicate the noise (just go over any bump). Maybe if I take off some of the stuff a friend can drive and I can finally pinpoint the annoying rattle. Any ideas or help in the Kansas City area?

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Bob_98SR5 · 11-20-2002, 05:43 PM

KC:

I'll post some pics tonite by midnite (sorry, I'm busy).

It's pretty easy. Just requires a philips head screwdriver. I'll try to write some instructions too.

Bob

PhxTRDRunner · 11-21-2002, 12:59 AM

Check your sunglass's holder up top by the moonroof...I thought I had a dash rattle too, turned out to be that dang holder...a little piece of felt shuts it right up

If you need/want to remove your dash, first pop up the plastic around the E-brake , then the plastic around the shifter/4wd shifter, then finally just pop down the main piece around the radio, and unplug all the harness's, and watch where they come from, there is one blank plug that is not used, and has no pins, I accidentally plug'd on of the others into it once or twice

They do swap plugs..

pfdaxe · 11-21-2002, 04:56 AM

Hey TRD Phx:

Got any pics of your ride??

Paul

02Runner · 11-21-2002, 05:28 AM

I also have a rattle that has been driving me apeahit. I think it's under my glove compartment, maybe a heater duct or something. Mine seems to rattle when I sit at an idle, like at a red light. It disappears when I begin to increase the idle.

I am pissed about the quality of my 02. :mad:
The drivers side window sill holds water long after it rains until I come to a stop, naturally with my window down and spills it all over my left leg and door. The dealer here also "fixed" that problem...oh wait, they failed again. Has anyone else been experiencing this anomaly?

Oh, additionally, how about an extremely noisy drivers side window motor, kinda like a Formula racing car noise!

How's that for a word, Anomaly=glitch :confused:

rleec · 11-21-2002, 12:43 PM

If you can, have someone else drive with you in the passenger seat to get a different perspective on the location. I had a very annoying rattle I thought was in the driver's side doors (f/b). It turns out it was something in the small storage compartment in the back??? Easy fix, but annoying to find.

Rick
'98 4Runner SR5

Erc · 11-21-2002, 01:02 PM

Yup, mine rattles too. Definitely sounds like it's coming from somewhere in the dash. I didn't bother taking it to the dealer.. I know they won't fix it right, hell.. they couldn't put right pressure in my tires!

Bob_98SR5 · 11-21-2002, 01:11 PM

kc:

didn't forget about you. i was pressed for time last nite. ill try to post something by friday.

Bob

Erc · 11-21-2002, 02:12 PM

Check this out

Bob_98SR5 · 11-21-2002, 02:51 PM

There ya go! Thanks ERC

To add to #4, make sure you take off the climate control dials and lever knobs b/f prying off the AC control plastic plate. Also, if you have a screwdriver bit holder, get it out b/c the bottom left screw is recessed pretty far back and if you drop it, good luck finding it in there.

Make sure you also have some cable ties to secure anything loose in there like wire bundles, etc.

You might also want to remove the lower panel on the driver's side and take a look-see back there too. Here's a graphic from my Valentine One write up I posted a week ago:

Bob

kc4runner · 11-21-2002, 03:17 PM

Well I started to pull apart the dash and then decided to let the dealer have a last stab at it. Today I went in person to speak with the service manager. They are going to have it all day tomorrow, but i'm going to take him on a test drive before I drop it off to make sure I don't get the same line of "sorry, but we can't replicate the problem". I'll report back my results....

Erc · 11-21-2002, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kc4runner
Well I started to pull apart the dash and then decided to let the dealer have a last stab at it. Today I went in person to speak with the service manager. They are going to have it all day tomorrow, but i'm going to take him on a test drive before I drop it off to make sure I don't get the same line of "sorry, but we can't replicate the problem". I'll report back my results....

If they DO fix it for ya, be sure to ask what was causing it, so you can tell the rest of us what to look for!

Thanks

swerks · 11-21-2002, 03:45 PM

mine never rattles when some one from the dealership is present:mad:

PhxTRDRunner · 11-21-2002, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pfdaxe
Hey TRD Phx:

Got any pics of your ride??

Paul

I already posted some! But, I will do a full photo shoot soon

Feel free to hit me up!

Ralph
602-421-2202

kc4runner · 11-22-2002, 03:11 PM

I just got back from the dealer. They had it all day. As it turns out the rattle is NOT fromn the dash. It is coming from the cowling area between the hood and the wiper blades. Here is where everybody is stumped!! If you put a shop rag under the hood (centered) between the plastic cowling where the wiper blades are and the hood, the rattles (I get when I go over bumps) stop. So it is narrowed down to that. But from there they don't know. I got it back tonight and they are going to get ahold of somebody in California to see if anybody has had this happen. They don't really know what to do. It doesn't seem like there is anythnig wrong with the cowling or the hood, but if you stuff a rag between the two, it stops. Putting more insulation under the hood insulation already there didn't help. Any ideas?????

PhxTRDRunner · 11-22-2002, 03:14 PM

Remove the cowling and put some sound detoner in between it and the car...maybe some dynamat or something?

kc4runner · 11-22-2002, 03:18 PM

I don't think you can do that, as it is how water drains out....

swerks · 11-24-2002, 11:35 AM

Hey guys, my rattle goes away with the weight of another person or object in my passenger side front or rear seat. Ive checked the seat bolts and seat belts any ideas ?????

rleec · 11-25-2002, 10:30 AM

Seat belt buckle?

Bob K · 11-25-2002, 10:59 AM

Did they check to make sure the hood bolts are tight. I had a 98 Blazer that had a rattle like that and I checked everything and it turned out the hood was loose and was causing the rattle. Just a thought.

cybrenergy · 11-25-2002, 08:12 PM

I have a slight rattle coming from under my steering column. I know that it's a result of the idiots at Circuit City installing my alarm, because I have tapped the loose wires and reproduced the noise. I don't think that I have the same rattle that you have described with your 2002. I will get some electrical tape and a few zip ties tomorrow morning and tackle my noise. If I hear anything else or this does not fix it I will report back.

8nojeep · 07-30-2003, 09:48 PM

I have a 2000 taco extended cab 4x4 and have a rattle either in my drivers door or the rear area where the speaker is and another one on the air bag on the passenger side , I took it to the dealer today (morons) they are,, the rattle in the passenger side air bag was covered under warrenty up to 36k miles of course i have 60k miles when i took it in there the first year and talked to the service guy he said oh that noise should go away after the truck gets some more miles on it so they wouldnt fix it , they of course know nothing of the rattle on the drivers side door or what ever do any of you guys know of a web sight that posts all of Toyotas service bulletin's and maybe what needs to be done to fix these problems
thanks Robb
2000 tacoma extended cab 4x4 street toy
76 FJ40 V-8 Landcruiser Trail toy
jeep.............................................. .....it's what's for dinner

BOSTON4RUNNER · 08-12-2005, 08:53 AM

I had one,,,it was the plastic vent assembly, between the hood and the windshield

took me forever to find

it sounded as if it was from the dash, glovebox or even the shifter area

it became loose and would create a noise,,slightly tapping the hood and the cowl panel, seemed like a rattle from loose shifter bolts or something

I pressed the cowl plastic back in, noise went away, however it loosened again, I plan on covering the plastic nubs with something like masking tape, then jam the plastic panel back into the cowl panel, that is part of the firewall

98SR5 · 08-12-2005, 09:51 AM

Hello, I have a 98 4runner and experienced a similar problem. Here is a link to CustomTacos that describes a similar problem with Tacomas. I purchased some weather stripping material 7/16"X1.5" and 1. put 2 strips, one on each side of the ECM, 2. Cable Tie to secure the Blower Motor control cable to the reinforcement bar right above the ECM and 3. a strip of the weather stripping material on the underside of my hood that has an outline of the rubber material between the hood and the cowl section. This took care of my rattle issue.
http://www.customtacos.com/tech/inde..._v2&id=134&c=6

select, “Read the TSB in PDF format “

I hope this helps.

Mike L.

Swede · 10-10-2008, 07:23 PM

I know... "Holy Old Post Revival Batman", but I need to add my 2 cents...

After doing tons of research on "Dash Rattles", "Dash Squeaks", "Dash noise", etc., and after ripping my dash apart more than a few times over the course of a year to find this annoyingly ellusive dash rattle problem, I finally nailed it down. It's not the dash at all! It's not even inside the cab! Turns out that it is the passenger side hood hinge pin! If I make a fist and then bump down on the top of the hood right on the corner near the hinge, the hoods hinge pin creaks quite loudly. When I open the hood and grab hold of the corner nearest the hinge, I can create the same noise just by forceably moving the hinge and pin assembly (even though it only moves just a little bit). Now to find the cure. I tried WD-40, and then some Lithium Grease but that didn't help. So what I ended up doing was taking a hammer and chisel and dimpling the top of the hinge just enough to tighten the joint to take out any play that was in there. I know that this is just a temporary fix until I either replace the hinge with a new one or find some other cure but anyway, for now, it'll do. That sharp rapping noise is now gone! Woo Hoo!

Here's the little bastard here:

11-21-2002, 12:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
PhxTRDRunner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 695	Check your sunglass's holder up top by the moonroof...I thought I had a dash rattle too, turned out to be that dang holder...a little piece of felt shuts it right up If you need/want to remove your dash, first pop up the plastic around the E-brake , then the plastic around the shifter/4wd shifter, then finally just pop down the main piece around the radio, and unplug all the harness's, and watch where they come from, there is one blank plug that is not used, and has no pins, I accidentally plug'd on of the others into it once or twice They do swap plugs.. __________________ '00 4runner Sold '94 Supra 6spd tt '05 Tacoma Double Cab 4wd TRD Offroad

11-21-2002, 04:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
pfdaxe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,443	Hey TRD Phx: Got any pics of your ride?? Paul __________________ My 2000 TRD 4 Runner My email

11-21-2002, 05:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
02Runner Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: SW Fla Posts: 758	I also have a rattle that has been driving me apeahit. I think it's under my glove compartment, maybe a heater duct or something. Mine seems to rattle when I sit at an idle, like at a red light. It disappears when I begin to increase the idle. I am pissed about the quality of my 02. :mad: The drivers side window sill holds water long after it rains until I come to a stop, naturally with my window down and spills it all over my left leg and door. The dealer here also "fixed" that problem...oh wait, they failed again. Has anyone else been experiencing this anomaly? Oh, additionally, how about an extremely noisy drivers side window motor, kinda like a Formula racing car noise! How's that for a word, Anomaly=glitch :confused: __________________ 2003 Runner SE / Cruisers 1971,1980,1997(40th) & 2005 Last edited by 02Runner; 11-21-2002 at 05:41 AM.

11-21-2002, 12:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
rleec Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: No. VA Posts: 17	If you can, have someone else drive with you in the passenger seat to get a different perspective on the location. I had a very annoying rattle I thought was in the driver's side doors (f/b). It turns out it was something in the small storage compartment in the back??? Easy fix, but annoying to find. Rick '98 4Runner SR5 Last edited by rleec; 11-21-2002 at 01:53 PM.

11-21-2002, 01:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Erc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 195	Yup, mine rattles too. Definitely sounds like it's coming from somewhere in the dash. I didn't bother taking it to the dealer.. I know they won't fix it right, hell.. they couldn't put right pressure in my tires! __________________ 2002 4Runner SE Stellar Blue My Runner

11-20-2002, 05:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bob_98SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,092	KC: I'll post some pics tonite by midnite (sorry, I'm busy). It's pretty easy. Just requires a philips head screwdriver. I'll try to write some instructions too. Bob

11-21-2002, 01:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bob_98SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,092	kc: didn't forget about you. i was pressed for time last nite. ill try to post something by friday. Bob

11-21-2002, 02:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
Erc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 195	Check this out __________________ 2002 4Runner SE Stellar Blue My Runner Last edited by Erc; 11-21-2002 at 02:15 PM.

11-21-2002, 02:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
Bob_98SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,092	There ya go! Thanks ERC To add to #4, make sure you take off the climate control dials and lever knobs b/f prying off the AC control plastic plate. Also, if you have a screwdriver bit holder, get it out b/c the bottom left screw is recessed pretty far back and if you drop it, good luck finding it in there. Make sure you also have some cable ties to secure anything loose in there like wire bundles, etc. You might also want to remove the lower panel on the driver's side and take a look-see back there too. Here's a graphic from my Valentine One write up I posted a week ago: Bob

11-21-2002, 03:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
kc4runner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 37	Well I started to pull apart the dash and then decided to let the dealer have a last stab at it. Today I went in person to speak with the service manager. They are going to have it all day tomorrow, but i'm going to take him on a test drive before I drop it off to make sure I don't get the same line of "sorry, but we can't replicate the problem". I'll report back my results.... __________________ ************************** 2002 Thunder Cloud Grey 4Runner SR5 Sport Edition Waag brush guard, Amsoil airfilter, Hayden Trans cooler, BFG AT KO 275/70/16 tires, , Fiamm airhorn, Sylvania Silverstar bulbs, more to come....

11-21-2002, 03:45 PM	#13 (permalink)
swerks Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Milwaukee WI Posts: 848	mine never rattles when some one from the dealership is present:mad: __________________ 99 SR5 V6 Auto 4WD, deck plate, TRD exhaust, Donahoes/Bilsteins,cornfed spacers, Waag Nerfs, Wet Okole's, Load warrior, Optima red top 86 Turbo SR5 4Runner (work in progress)(Money pit)

11-22-2002, 03:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
kc4runner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 37	I just got back from the dealer. They had it all day. As it turns out the rattle is NOT fromn the dash. It is coming from the cowling area between the hood and the wiper blades. Here is where everybody is stumped!! If you put a shop rag under the hood (centered) between the plastic cowling where the wiper blades are and the hood, the rattles (I get when I go over bumps) stop. So it is narrowed down to that. But from there they don't know. I got it back tonight and they are going to get ahold of somebody in California to see if anybody has had this happen. They don't really know what to do. It doesn't seem like there is anythnig wrong with the cowling or the hood, but if you stuff a rag between the two, it stops. Putting more insulation under the hood insulation already there didn't help. Any ideas????? __________________ ************************** 2002 Thunder Cloud Grey 4Runner SR5 Sport Edition Waag brush guard, Amsoil airfilter, Hayden Trans cooler, BFG AT KO 275/70/16 tires, , Fiamm airhorn, Sylvania Silverstar bulbs, more to come....

11-22-2002, 03:14 PM	#16 (permalink)
PhxTRDRunner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 695	Remove the cowling and put some sound detoner in between it and the car...maybe some dynamat or something? __________________ '00 4runner Sold '94 Supra 6spd tt '05 Tacoma Double Cab 4wd TRD Offroad

11-22-2002, 03:18 PM	#17 (permalink)
kc4runner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 37	I don't think you can do that, as it is how water drains out.... __________________ ************************** 2002 Thunder Cloud Grey 4Runner SR5 Sport Edition Waag brush guard, Amsoil airfilter, Hayden Trans cooler, BFG AT KO 275/70/16 tires, , Fiamm airhorn, Sylvania Silverstar bulbs, more to come....

11-24-2002, 11:35 AM	#18 (permalink)
swerks Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Milwaukee WI Posts: 848	Hey guys, my rattle goes away with the weight of another person or object in my passenger side front or rear seat. Ive checked the seat bolts and seat belts any ideas ????? __________________ 99 SR5 V6 Auto 4WD, deck plate, TRD exhaust, Donahoes/Bilsteins,cornfed spacers, Waag Nerfs, Wet Okole's, Load warrior, Optima red top 86 Turbo SR5 4Runner (work in progress)(Money pit)

11-25-2002, 10:30 AM	#19 (permalink)
rleec Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: No. VA Posts: 17	Seat belt buckle?

11-25-2002, 10:59 AM	#20 (permalink)
Bob K Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 98	Did they check to make sure the hood bolts are tight. I had a 98 Blazer that had a rattle like that and I checked everything and it turned out the hood was loose and was causing the rattle. Just a thought. __________________ 2000 4Runner V6 Auto 4x4 Dueler AT Revo's Radiant Red Optima Red Top Stinger Rechargeable Flashlight Mobil 1 in the Engine, Tranny & Differentials.

11-25-2002, 08:12 PM	#21 (permalink)
cybrenergy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mount Airy, MD Posts: 260	I have a slight rattle coming from under my steering column. I know that it's a result of the idiots at Circuit City installing my alarm, because I have tapped the loose wires and reproduced the noise. I don't think that I have the same rattle that you have described with your 2002. I will get some electrical tape and a few zip ties tomorrow morning and tackle my noise. If I hear anything else or this does not fix it I will report back. __________________ 2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD - Sport Edition

07-30-2003, 09:48 PM	#22 (permalink)
8nojeep Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: puyallup Posts: 2	more rattle stuff I have a 2000 taco extended cab 4x4 and have a rattle either in my drivers door or the rear area where the speaker is and another one on the air bag on the passenger side , I took it to the dealer today (morons) they are,, the rattle in the passenger side air bag was covered under warrenty up to 36k miles of course i have 60k miles when i took it in there the first year and talked to the service guy he said oh that noise should go away after the truck gets some more miles on it so they wouldnt fix it , they of course know nothing of the rattle on the drivers side door or what ever do any of you guys know of a web sight that posts all of Toyotas service bulletin's and maybe what needs to be done to fix these problems thanks Robb 2000 tacoma extended cab 4x4 street toy 76 FJ40 V-8 Landcruiser Trail toy jeep.............................................. .....it's what's for dinner __________________ Robert Lee TLCA # 3247

08-12-2005, 08:53 AM	#23 (permalink)
BOSTON4RUNNER Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 789	I had one,,,it was the plastic vent assembly, between the hood and the windshield took me forever to find it sounded as if it was from the dash, glovebox or even the shifter area it became loose and would create a noise,,slightly tapping the hood and the cowl panel, seemed like a rattle from loose shifter bolts or something I pressed the cowl plastic back in, noise went away, however it loosened again, I plan on covering the plastic nubs with something like masking tape, then jam the plastic panel back into the cowl panel, that is part of the firewall __________________ 305k MILES! 97 4Runner Khumo Road Venture MT's 285 75 16's LC wheels,Desert Dune,moonroof,safari rack,kc daylighters,3.4 Ltr. 5 spd,410s detroit ez locker, OME 891's, KYB shocks3 - 3.25 lift, Tokico,Taco springs,3 in lift in front Rev Tek spacers/top out 4Crawler diff drop, 1 in BL, 4 Runner altimeter, 2.5 in Flowmaster,high flow cat, mandrel steel air intake conical K & N. MSD DIS4,CB with 7 channel wave/weather report,4 foot firestick,Pioneer CD,30 gig IPOD. www.sfaboston.com

08-12-2005, 09:51 AM	#24 (permalink)
98SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 46	Rattle in Dash Hello, I have a 98 4runner and experienced a similar problem. Here is a link to CustomTacos that describes a similar problem with Tacomas. I purchased some weather stripping material 7/16"X1.5" and 1. put 2 strips, one on each side of the ECM, 2. Cable Tie to secure the Blower Motor control cable to the reinforcement bar right above the ECM and 3. a strip of the weather stripping material on the underside of my hood that has an outline of the rubber material between the hood and the cowl section. This took care of my rattle issue. http://www.customtacos.com/tech/inde..._v2&id=134&c=6 select, “Read the TSB in PDF format “ I hope this helps. Mike L.

10-10-2008, 07:23 PM	#25 (permalink)
Swede Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Prince Rupert, BC Posts: 311	I know... "Holy Old Post Revival Batman", but I need to add my 2 cents... After doing tons of research on "Dash Rattles", "Dash Squeaks", "Dash noise", etc., and after ripping my dash apart more than a few times over the course of a year to find this annoyingly ellusive dash rattle problem, I finally nailed it down. It's not the dash at all! It's not even inside the cab! Turns out that it is the passenger side hood hinge pin! If I make a fist and then bump down on the top of the hood right on the corner near the hinge, the hoods hinge pin creaks quite loudly. When I open the hood and grab hold of the corner nearest the hinge, I can create the same noise just by forceably moving the hinge and pin assembly (even though it only moves just a little bit). Now to find the cure. I tried WD-40, and then some Lithium Grease but that didn't help. So what I ended up doing was taking a hammer and chisel and dimpling the top of the hinge just enough to tighten the joint to take out any play that was in there. I know that this is just a temporary fix until I either replace the hinge with a new one or find some other cure but anyway, for now, it'll do. That sharp rapping noise is now gone! Woo Hoo! Here's the little bastard here: __________________ '98 4Runner SR5, V-6, 5-speed, 35" Baja Claws, 17x9 Eagle Alloys, E-Locker, 3" Susp Lift, 3" Body Lift, Elbow mod, Deckplate Mod, "D" gasket mod, Silverstars, Headlight Film, 67" TG Sliders, 8500lbs Portable Winch, Magellan GPS... Next on the list: 4:88 gears Last edited by Swede; 10-10-2008 at 07:44 PM.

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