justa nother dashboard rattle thread....or is it?

[twr]

Hi Guys
My 08 GT Sport TDI has developed a dashboard rattle.
It actually sounds like a screw with a washer has come loose and the washer's rattling around. Could also describe it as an electrical static type sound...a buzzing.
The noise only happens at speed, say over 40k's
It doesn't sound like it's coming from the centre air vent, but from the back of the dash just behind the instrument cluster.

I've checked the search and other threads including
The top vent fix: At all times keep breathing - Rabbit / GTI Mk5 Air Diffuser rattle fix
Implemented and the noise still present, i was dubious anyway, because it sounded more from behind the dash rather than in the top vent.
and the side trim removal and check torx screws are tight (one of the solutions on this thread): Dash rattle- Solution!!!!!!

I was going to try and get one of these: http://www.oemplus.com/DIY/Mk5_Dash_Tray.pdf but given that the top vent fix hasn't worked, thinking it maybe not be this and it'd be good money after bad.

Any views, it actually is the top vent rattling and i've just not done the fix properly?

Also the climate control makes a periodic pop pop pop/tap tap tap - any ideas on that one as well??
Not heard of any fixes to try on that.

Cheers

[cheddo7]

I hear you!

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f15/aircon-heater-flip-flip-flip-click-click-glove-box-area-98577.html?highlight=

A few resets as mentioned and it's not as bad, but still there. Seems to be worse when heating above 20c.

and 3rd post down:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f15/what-did-you-do-your-mk5-today-18105-169.html

Frigging turned out to be my eTag vibrating on the windscreen, after pulling the centre dash apart twice...

[twr]

Hey @cheddo7
Thanks for the link to the flip flip flip! My climate is only set to 18, but it's bloody annoying when it happens.
Alas, no etag on my screen ( I do feel for you though)...I'm also 99.9999% sure it's not the central vent causing the rattle...
I've got the central vent and all the gubbins out of the car (again) and there's no rattle from there...
Any "how to" take the dash apart? keen on accessing any screws with washers near the rear of the dash...probably under the vent near the instrument panel/binacle.
I'm gonna try this next when I get a chance : Instrument cluster removal, high beam indicator, and speedometer needle adjustment | VW TDI forum, Audi, Porsche, and Chevy Cruze diesel forum - checkbehind that lot and see if tthere are any loose screws.
Any thoughts from anyone else...seriously...i

[twr]

Well, whilst easy to remove the instrument cluster the screws are tight behind there.
Any ideas where to look next, and how to get at it.
Would love a how to on the how the dash comes apart and fixing points?
Is there one?

[satz]

ahh...the times I've bruised my knuckles on the inside of windscreen when taking the opt vent off to cure rattles!

Could it be a screw that dropped down in there from your previous removal work?

[Lucas_R]

It actually sounds like a screw with a washer has come loose and the washer's rattling around. Could also describe it as an electrical static type sound...a buzzing.

I have what seems to be basically the same noise in my Mk6 R, in which there is a metallic rattling/vibration from about 2,500rpm-3,000rpm (any gear, any speed as long as the revs are between 2,500-3,000rpm). In my car, the rattle "sounds" like its coming from the driver side dash area, but it's really hard to tell for sure.

I am literally at my wits end trying to find this rattle - with no luck still. I've removed door trims, steering wheel and airbag, instrument cluster, center console, climate control/radio/middle air vents, and numerous other dash board pieces and other interior trim pieces multiple times. Right now my car is sitting in my garage with the drivers door trim off (yet again) and my glove box removed. I have also jacked up the car multiple times to check fuel lines, head shields, etc etc etc. I have found so many other rattles and loose screws, but none of them have fixed this particular rattle.

I actually disassembled and reassembled my instrument cluster in case there was something loose - didn't fix it. I also disassembled and reassembled my steering wheel control module (hidden behind the steering wheel) because it was rattling, but it didn't fix it either. I have used felt tape on every rubbing surface i can get to, and tightened every nut/bolt/screw i can access.

It's a 3yr old car with 20,000km on it, and its being pulled to pieces because of this damn rattle.

Please update this thread if you happen to find the source of the rattle, and i will do the same. Perhaps we can help each other in what seems like it could be the same issue.

[tomd3969]

I had a similar issue on my 06 GTI I managed to solve. Sounded like it was coming from the dash but turned out it was from the drivers foot well. There's a plastic cover above the pedals. The rear LHS of the cover sits above a thick metal pin which holds it in place. However if the cover is below the pin it just bounces off it from road vibrations and causes the noise. Happened to me because I removed the ocover and didn't reinstall properly

This is what I'm talking about. That's the clutch pedal in the pic.