Locating a rattle in the dash

APoc184

APoc184

Honorary Master
Joined
Sep 6, 2008
Messages
24,942
Reaction score
13,318
Location
Tshwanetoria
With our first pink foot arriving soon I recently did a trade in on the petrol hatchback Polo for a Tdi Sedan Polo.

Extremely happy with the car but there is a rattle in the dashboard at the low revs that is driving my wife mad and in turn she is driving me mad nagging about it.

It doesn't bother me too much because I seldom drive the car. And when I do it is mostly for on long trips and the rattle is non-existent then.

Wife unfortunately does bumper to bumper traffic every day and with the stop start driving, the rattle can get a bit annoying.

How would I go about locating this rattle? And then fix it?

Thanks
 
Polos have a small "glovebox" under the seat/seats. I had a torch in one of them and with each acceleration and braking it rattled quite loudly but it sounded as if came from the doors. It took me some time to find the source and actually found it by chance when searching for something else.
So, maybe you find something in there.

Good luck otherwise.
 
I have exactly the same problem in my polo!!! It sounds as if a wire behind my car radio is loose and rattling around but i imagine they'd have to remove the middle piece to fix it.
 
Also Polo, mine comes from roof light fixture, can't stop it... Music helps.
 
Stokstert said:
Polos have a small "glovebox" under the seat/seats. I had a torch in one of them and with each acceleration and braking it rattled quite loudly but it sounded as if came from the doors. It took me some time to find the source and actually found it by chance when searching for something else.
So, maybe you find something in there.

Good luck otherwise.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the replies guys.

I've checked the glovebox underneath the passenger seat too but the sound is definitely coming from somewhere in the dash.

xumwun said:
Just put the radio on :D
Click to expand...

Haha. The rattle is a little overpowering at times. Especially with the low revs involved with stop start driving.

Robertvv said:
One drive, other person listen, touch till find the spot, apply sponge or cable tie.
Click to expand...

Yeah, we are trying this at the moment with no luck yet. It would seem the rattle is coming from somewhere inside/behind the dash. :(

maumau said:
I have exactly the same problem in my polo!!! It sounds as if a wire behind my car radio is loose and rattling around but i imagine they'd have to remove the middle piece to fix it.
Click to expand...

Mine also seems to be behind something and I am hoping to also avoid "digging" in there.
 
The only way really is to remove the instrument cluster

Take off steering wheel
Take off trim around wheel
Remove screws at bottom of instrument cluster and on top
Gently take out instruments and disconnect electrical connector
Get a wide-angle torch and check linkages from heater control, vent control, heavy leads going to radio
If nothing apparent, temporarily refit steering wheel and get someone to drive it for you, while you peer inside
 
Where the engine mountings changed recently?

Happened with my car not that long ago...

Took car in due to odd behavior.
Get a call with quote.
X for original. Y for pirate.
Due to the engine being so vital I said use original, despite the parts being almost double the price.

Got the car back, had weird rattles when stopping pulling away. Took the car to another place asked them to look, with me present.
The other place had used the cheap parts but still charged me for the expensive.

So I went back to other place. Made them fit the original brand while I watched this time. Now no probs

The way it was explained to me: the pirate parts have a harder rubber, thus absorbing less vibration.
It could be heard while changing speed but also while standing still. It was more than a little annoying...

Hope you get the problem sorted
 
ChilliGirl said:
Where the engine mountings changed recently?

Happened with my car not that long ago...

Took car in due to odd behavior.
Get a call with quote.
X for original. Y for pirate.
Due to the engine being so vital I said use original, despite the parts being almost double the price.

Got the car back, had weird rattles when stopping pulling away. Took the car to another place asked them to look, with me present.
The other place had used the cheap parts but still charged me for the expensive.

So I went back to other place. Made them fit the original brand while I watched this time. Now no probs

The way it was explained to me: the pirate parts have a harder rubber, thus absorbing less vibration.
It could be heard while changing speed but also while standing still. It was more than a little annoying...

Hope you get the problem sorted
Click to expand...

Where did you take it originally?
 
D1RTY D4WG said:
Where did you take it originally?
Click to expand...

To some car place that was supposedly recommended, as the mechanic we normally had look at the car was away for 2 weeks(family member not well).

Being the mountings we did not want to wait that long....

I cannot remember the place's name that changed the mountings.
 
Last edited:
I also have the same problem i my Golf 5 . There is some rattle on the dash but I think its coming from the aircon vents. I want t take in but I know they will charge me an arm and a leg to remove that dash to have it checked.
 
Third Blue From the Sun said:
The problem is related to the wastegate. Since this is a turbo vehicle, it could also affect it. Worth checking out IMO...
Click to expand...

Specific to the IHI turbo on the ccz engine. The tdi doesn't have a wastegate...

Most likely cause is something like a loose wire in the plenum at the back of the engine bay.
 
Is the vehicle fitted with a tracking unit? I have a friend that had a rattle in the dash after they installed a tracking unit in his car.
 
Okay. Tried everything but will have to open up the dash to check inside. Have a mechanic friend who is willing to help for free.

Our neighbours must think we are crazy because we were driving around the swimming pool in our security complex for about 30min yesterday.

No tracking unit fitted. Tried pressing everywhere to stop the vibration and even cleared the air vents with a compressor. Nothing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X