RATTLE/SQUEAKING FROM PASSENGER SIDE DASH AREA

[inlacal]

Group,

This is killing me...My 96 has a rattle/squealing sound in the area of the glovebox/passenger side area.

My 97 has a very similar sound in the same area.

My 98, before I sold it, had the same sound....

I can't be the only one? Anyone experienced this?

[dodj]

i had a very anoyying squeek that i finally figured out was the passenger seat.
I couldn't trace the sound to anywhere in particular as it only squeeked when the seat was in certain positions.

I dont think there is must else over that side that can squeek. you can unscrew the glovebox and have a look behind there, or see if the noise is louder after you take the glove box out.

[iking3i]

i hear the exact same thing!! i hate it its annoying when its quiet.. i have a custom system and i thought that was wat caused the rattling but nopeee.. have no idea where its comin from neither.. please let me know if u fine the answer!! its s0o annoying

[inlacal]

iking3i: Good. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Dodj: Not the seats in my car...It's too coincidental that this has afflicted three out of the four Ti's I have.

Anyone else have a suggestion?

[dodj]

take the glove box out maybe there is a loose screw or wiring harness.

[inlacal]

I'll check that, but once again, I'm still hoping that someone has a definitive answer before I go pulling things apart...

Between myself and iking, that's four cars afflicted with the same problem.

[Juni]

Its either a loose screw or a missing screw. I know this for fact, my car did it for a long time till I figured this one out.

[inlacal]

Originally Posted by Juni

Its either a loose screw or a missing screw. I know this for fact, my car did it for a long time till I figured this one out.

Juni: Where was the missing screw at? How did this screw go missing? Please advise.

[inlacal]

On my 97 it sounds like a plastic on plastic squealing...Like the in-dash blower motors on old e21 3 series cars. On my 98, it was the same sound. On my 96 Ti, there is a rattle (plastic-sounding). But invariably, all are coming from the same location. Passenger-side airbag/dashboard area (from withing/underneath).

[praveen.thomas]

i get a similar sound. it feels like something is vibrating with a rat-a-tat sound while accelerating. again, passenger side somewhere close to the glove box

[Juni]

Originally Posted by inlacal

Juni: Where was the missing screw at? How did this screw go missing? Please advise.

if you or the previous owner ever took out the glove box, then thats how the screw went missing. I know that when I took mine out, I had lost 2 screws. Then, the squeeking started and I coincidentaly found the screws in my car. Just open the glove box and check if any of the 4 screws that hold the bulk of it are missing.

[inlacal]

Originally Posted by praveen.thomas

i get a similar sound. it feels like something is vibrating with a rat-a-tat sound while accelerating. again, passenger side somewhere close to the glove box

Thomas: Did you get a chance to see if this is where your rattle is coming from? Mine also makes the rat-a-tat sound (97) while my two 96's alternate between this sound and squeaking...

[inlacal]

I'll give the glovebox screws some attention. Hopefully that will be the culprit.

[praveen.thomas]

Figured it out. Finally,

The glove box unit was replaced by the earlier owner and it was re-assembled rather shabbily. I noticed 3 screws missing in the inner cover. I bought a complete set of screws and clamps and now the sound is gone. However, my threading for the screws is wasted so I used loctite and screwed them in. now a little noise but way better.

[pdxmotorhead]

Whenever you disassemble plastic "stuff" in a dash I always reassemble with some foam tape or caulking ribbon between the pieces. Keeps the plastic from rubbing. Even electrical tape will help prevent the squeeking.

Dave