PDA

View Full Version : Rattle in dash behind or under instrument cluster?


Chestnut85
03-02-2008, 02:42 AM
hello all

I just bought my 2005 grand am gt three weeks ago, and I really love it. It's only got 29,000 miles on it. However, whoever had the car before me must have driven on washboard dirt roads a lot because there's dirt all over everything and there's a really annoying rattle in the dash.

It's a high pitched, almost ticking sound coming from the instrument cluster area. Turning the steering wheel seems to have an effect on it, but it happens over bumps too...most bumps actually. It's a tinny (as in tin) or hard thin cheap plastic sound. All the other subtle rattles don't even bother me...it's just that one and it's so annoying.

I took the instrument cluster out and drove it around and I couldn't find it. You can only go so far in that part of the dash. I got all the way back to the ac duct and still couldn't find it.

like I said, its a very specific sound---tin or hard cheap plastic rubbing against something. Turning the wheel effects it. Basically all bumps effect it...but it seems like the hotter it gets in the car, the more it rattles. When it's cold in the morning, it doesn't make a sound. doesn't make sense!

I turn the radio up and I can still hear it!

So if any of you know what's in that part of the dash that could be making that sound, please let me know.

thank you so much

89hornet
03-02-2008, 11:37 AM
Take instrument cluster out and drive it around to see if the sqeak is still there and if it is then take a another piece out till u find it, but to a certain extent not the whole dash. If u cant find it make shure all bolts are tight and clips, if somthing that uses a clip and it fits loose, the put a piece of foam as a shim to keep it from ratteling.

Chestnut85
03-11-2008, 02:24 AM
got an email saying "xinuflux" has the same problem, but that post isn't up here yet...

anyways, yeah I found it, my friend. It was a piece of white plastic on the steering shaft where it starts to come into the interior. You can get to it pretty easily under the dash...you may have to push back the rubber boot that's surrounding it, but that's it. Just wiggle it around a bit...I didn't even spray anything on mine and the rattle went away just by jiggling it around

hope this helps