rattling dash

rattling dash

I am looking to buy a used car privately and it has a minor rattle on the dash and was just wondering if this would be something easily fixed or a large task, hence shouldnt buy the car? It seems something is loose in the dash not engine. thanks

My car has 146000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :

Hello. I will be glad to help you with your question about the 2012 Subaru that you are considering purchasing. Of course, the current owner could potentially hold the key to the answer because he may have already made "inquiries" about the problem and thus know something about the source of the issue. Presumably you have already asked though. Generally speaking, if a rattle anywhere will be "easily" identified it will be on a part or location that is "visible" to the Mechanic.

Such at least eliminates the need for a long search, and the related disassembly, around other items. However, even if the component rattling is visible, or reliably guessed at based on location and other clues, there can still be quite a bit of very tedious disassembly of the dash involved. Obviously, all rattles are repairable and so if this is an otherwise exemplary car at any already reasonable price, one possible course to solve the problem is to just discount the price enough to at least partly cover the cost of the repair. Just make sure the car does not have other problems. YourMechanic does offer professional pre-purchase inspections of vehicles and that could be a big benefit for you in this case. Indeed, during such an inspection it is possible the Mechanic could himself, or herself, figure out the source of the rattle if it is out in the open enough. Let us know how we can further assist you with your purchase decision or if you would like to have a pre-purchase inspection done.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

A rattling in your dash is probably one of the most annoying noises to hear while driving. It`s a never ending noise that comes right from the inside of your car. The dash rattle is commonly caused by two adjacent dash parts vibrating against each other.

The most common reasons a Subaru Outback has a rattling noise are the ball joints, struts or strut mount, or a problem with the sway bar links.

The most common source of rattles on Subaru`s are the exhaust heat shields. They can rattle under all sorts of random circumstances. Whenever you turn, accelerate, let off the gas or brake, the motor experiences torque that is dampened by the engine mounts so the passengers won`t feel these vibrations.

You can fix this by ensuring your panels are properly secured or adding sound-buffering materials. shake the plastic panel, causing it to rattle. If the problem lies with a loose panel, all you need to do is tighten it. These plastic panels are usually connected to your car by plastic clips.

Any unusual shaking or vibrating forces coming from the engine is cause for concern. It could be something as simple as old spark plugs producing an uneven power delivery, it could be something serious like worn or broken engine mounts, or it could be even more serious in the case of internal engine damage.

A Rattling Noise from the Engine When Accelerating

Noises coming from the engine when you are pushing on the gas could be caused by a loose or weak timing belt, chain tensioner, cracked flywheel, or a broken flexplate. These issues will only get worse over time, not better.

The most prevalent cause of vibration is problems with your wheels or tires. The potential problems include improper wheel and tire balance, uneven tire wear, separated tire tread, out of round tires, damaged wheels and even loose lug nuts.

Most cars experience some interior rattles on the dashboard, center console, glove compartment or other areas. The knobs and switches that operate these parts can break down.

Interior Car Rattling Noise

Start with the glove box to ensure it is firmly closed and that loose items, such as a pen or screwdriver, are not sliding around while driving. Also rule out rattling in other compartments, such as the center console storage area or within the rear cargo compartment.

If you notice your car making a grinding sound when it accelerates, your issue is likely to do with your transmission, a problem with your differential, a bad wheel bearing, a damaged CV joint, or a worn engine/motor mount.

Your Subaru will have a recommended octane rating. If you fill it up with gas with an octane rating that`s below the manufacturer`s specs, you may hear a knocking or pinging noise coming from the engine.

If you hear a rattling noise while driving, the first step is to not ignore it. The sounds and vibrations coming from your vehicle could be signs of a serious mechanical issue. Seek help from a professional who can find the source of the noise before any further damage is done.

The easiest way to fix the bass rattle in your car is to adjust the bass frequency using the equalizer or an amplifier with more advanced settings. However, if this doesn`t solve the problem, you need to determine the source of vibration. Typically, the vibration will come from: Trunk.

Some simple warning signs that the transmission is having problems: Transmission is slow to respond when shifting. Grinding, shaking, vibrating.

The release of the high pressure combustion gasses entering the exhaust system causes this noise. Depending on several different inputs into the ECU, such as engine coolant temperature and throttle opening angle, this noise could occur until the engine coolant temperature reaches the desired temperature.

If the rattling sound sounds like it is coming from underneath your vehicle, you likely are experiencing a problem with your exhaust system. Exhaust system problems include catalytic converter problems, muffler issues or corroded pipe, can sound like light rattling to rocks shaking beneath your car.

When your engine is lubricated properly with fresh oil, it should run fairly quietly. As the oil ages and it loses its ability to lubricate the components, the parts will start to move harder against one another causing friction and grinding. These rattling, rumbling, and knocking noises will be hard to miss.

Rattling Noise – Once your catalytic converter becomes older or damaged from fuel mixtures, the honeycombs on the inside can begin to collapse and/or break apart which will cause a rattle to occur.

The most common source for humming or whirring transmission noises is low fluid level or fluid contaminated with metal shavings. If the humming sound happens in all gears, there could be a problem with a worn or damaged shaft, shaft end play spacer, or bearing.

Smooth and periodic vibration is music and irregular and non-periodic vibration is noise.

The most likely cause of the shuddering most often happens in the vicinity of your car`s rims and tires. They plant your car to the road, and if anything is broken, will feel it. On a serious note, it may be a broken transmission mount or a broken caliper.

Rattling noises that appear when you`re driving over bumps, or on uneven surfaces, are often down to the suspension. These rattles can disappear once you speed up a bit or when the going gets smoother. The culprits may be the drop links (e.g. if they`ve snapped), worn bushes or corroded shock absorbers.

Do you hear a rattling noise under the car when driving? If you hear a rattling sound during any of these, it could mean you have a suspension problem which could include: a bad control arm bushing, bad ball joint, bad tie rod, bad strut mount, bad sway bar link, or bad sway bar bushings.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Rattling noise upon starting and then louder rattling at idle if load is placed on engine such as A/C

ANSWER : Hi there. Given your mileage and your maintenance of the idler pulley, your problem is likely worn/weak hydraulic lifters (or other valve train wear) or the timing gear set. Starting the engine briefly (less than 30 seconds) without the serpentine belt attached, will eliminate noises from all accessories if the problem is with one of them. I would recommend having the engine inspected in person by a professional so that the rattling noise can be diagnosed and properly corrected.

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I hear a rattling noise when my truck is parked. But when I drive it the noise stops. It sounds like a metal ball is rattling around.

ANSWER : Often, some exhaust components like heat shields or hangers may rust or become loose and rattle over time and is pretty common for the type of sound you’re describing. If you are not experiencing any drivability concerns, the rattle may be from something small. The best thing to do would be to have an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic take a close look around the vehicle under the conditions that makes the noise the most prominent so the technician may offer a more personal diagnosis.

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Rattling sound after rebuilt head. Solid CEL. Car begins to rattle after 3-4mins warmed up and begins running rough

ANSWER : The noise could be anything from low oil pressure to a fault in the valve train. It would have to be diagnosed up close. With regard to the rough running condition, the CEL means that codes have been stored and so those should be downloaded to see if any are relevant. If not, a real time scanner and/or a scope will be necessary to see what the engine operating conditions are. Obviously, something is off on the fuel or ignition side and/or possibly in the air induction or throttle control systems. The only way to know for sure is to hook the vehicle up to a scanner. If you want these steps performed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request a rough idle diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

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A/C vent issues

ANSWER : Hi there. Diagnosing AC vent issues really should be done onsite; as there are multiple small components, electrical systems and relays that make up the control section of the AC and heating system on your Cadillac. It’s best to have a professional mobile mechanic complete an AC is not working inspection at your location, so they can pinpoint the source of this vent issue and recommend the right repairs.

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My car is making a loud rattle sound when idling and in neutral

ANSWER : There are several causes for the engine to rattle while idling. With your car, the heat shield or an under engine shield is most likely. The other causes are the AC compressor clutch, idler pulley, or belt tensioner. The heat shields are used between the exhaust and the underside of the vehicle to keep the vehicle cool and the heat from the exhaust directed out of the tailpipe. When the heat shields become loose, they can make a flapping noise when the vehicle is moving. To verify this, a qualified technician, like one from YourMechanic, will be able to diagnose the rattle and replace your heat shield if necessary.

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digital dash and ac

ANSWER : The A/C cannot be fixed if the controls are inoperative. As soon as the battery is disconnected the A/C will no longer work. The A/C leak cannot be fixed and should not be fixed with J-B Weld.

The dash displays must be working partly or else the system will not start and run. You may have bad display units, this will require you to have them sent out for repairs.

If you decide to get this fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can inspect these components and diagnose your AC system firsthand. Best of luck.

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check break system and indicators of side brake, doors open,and traction system and full light warning in dash board

ANSWER : Hi there, thanks for writing in.

It sounds like you are having a serious electrical malfunction, which is very hard to diagnose without being able to look at the car first hand. The first step to diagnosing your electrical issue would be to scan all the relevant control modules in the vehicle, to see if there are any faults relating to any of these issues. It sounds like somebody at the dealer has been trying to fix this problem, so it may be a more involved one. I have personally seen failed control modules cause things like this, but that is no guarantee that it’s the problem in your case. It would be best to have a qualified independent technician, such as one from YourMechanic, look at your car to diagnose your electrical problem.

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There is a rattling sound when you turn the A/C on and you put the car in gear. Does not usually rattle if car is not in gear.

ANSWER : If the rattling only occurs when the A/C is on, you can conclude that the rattle is coming from the A/C system. If the rattle occurs without the A/C on, then you will need to dig deeper. You have clearly stated that the rattle occurs when the A/C is on, so I will address that as so.

When you put a car into gear, you add load to the motor that is felt from the accessory belts all the way to the wheels. Of course you feel this in the steering wheel and in your seat when you put it in gear. I suspect you have a serpentine (drive) belt tensioner problem. Tensioner’s manage all the load that occurs from the accessories mounted on the front of your motor. The A/C is unique among these accessories. A/C systems have other issues that can creates rattles, but they are much less common and difficult to explain in this forum.

In addition to the A/C system, you could have an exhaust shield that comes loose. The added load placed on the motor from the A/C system may be just enough to create such a rattle. There could be a loose pipe or hose that is made to rattle more with the added load of the A/C.

Your car is fairly new and I would not expect something like this from a newer Honda. I have to wonder if something such as an accident or off roading experience may have led up to this. If anything like that has occurred, I would suspect this is a result of it. One other possibility to note, there are reports of some CR-V’s having timing chain rattles. But they don’t seem to accompany the A/C being on. So hopefully this isn’t your issue, because it is a much bigger repair.

If you are still unable to figure this out, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect the noise and make proper repairs.

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