Dashboard Rattle!!!

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I have been trying to track down a very annoying rattle that seems to come from behind the tachometer or within the steering column. It occurs between 2000 to 2300 rpm and is loudest when loaded pulling our fiver. Sounds very metallic in nature like a loose washer or bolt. I have removed the plastic bezel, headlight switch and banged around in there trying to duplicate the noise. I even removed the tach/speedo module to give it a good shake but could hear no moving parts. Poked around under the dash, clutch linkage, brake and gas pedal but every thing appears to be very secure.

I know there is a TSB about a sqeaking dash when going over bumps but I don't think this is it since it is load and rpm sensative (ie stops instantly when I let off the gas. ). The truck is absolutely quiet other times.

This thing is driving me nuts. Has anyone else had a similar problem and if so did you find out what it was? Appreciate any help or suggestions.

Thanks
Ron.

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'00,2500,4x4,QC,LB,6spd,3. 54,4wABS,Camper-Trailer packs,BD Brake w/ECM ctrl,Pullrite 20. 5K 5hitch,Tekonsha EnvoySV,12K# Damon Escaper, CobraCB,Flame Red/Silver.

 

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The VIN # tag vibrates on mine sometimes when it is under a load. I stuck a piece of cardboard under it.

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99 2500 QC, LWB, 5spd, 3. 54 limited slip, Intense Blue, 275HP Injectors
Tow Lite trailer
96 KTM 360 EXC
99 Durango 4x4 360cid

 

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My brake controller (professionally installed #ad
) had a loose screw and it was trasmitting up into the dash. Actually sounded like it was the clutch linkage. My VIN plate vibrates also. Thought it was my boost gage. One more thing. My wife's Grand Cherokee had a very annoying rattle in the dash. It was a speaker wire (sounded like a loose screw) in the top of the dash area vibrating against the steel plate at the top of the dash. Good hunting.

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2001 ETH DEE 2500, 4. 10 LSD, Towing Package, Electric Brakes, EGT/Boost Gauges
Real Backup Lights

 

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Hey Ron, could it be the loose screw behind the wheel? LOL #ad
#ad
Sorry Ron, couldn't resist.

Looks like the crickets you got rid of last month are back! OOPS! there I go again. #ad
#ad


Seriously, I've been trying to find the source of a similar noise in my Ram for over a year now. I had more than half the dash out looking for the culprit.

 

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"(ie stops instantly when I let off the gas. )"

Maybe you should replace the gas pedal with a diesel pedal #ad


John started it #ad

 

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My dash seems to make a creeking noise over bumps (1000 miles on truck!) It seems to come from the area where the "simulated wood grain finish" #ad
meets the front of the dash... . or sometimes from where the A-pillar meets the dash. Is that TSB on the squeeking dash applicable to this and if so, can someone direct me to it?

Thanks!

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'01 2500 SLT+, QC, LWB, 4X4, 3. 54s, AT, every option but running lights! To come: 19. 5"s (?), lift, Line-X, Exhaust brake, 4" turbo to tail, etc...

'98 DUCATI ST2 "Bombed" 944CC with Ducati Performance Carbon Fiber Exhaust, F. I. M. Chip, K&N and "modified" air box.

 

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Thanks for the suggestions guy's. My VIN tag seems pretty solid but I'll shim it anyway to see if that helps. If that doesn't work, I think I'll just fill the dash with that expanding foam insullation!

Boy, John & BV, you guy's are pretty tough on a fellow NWesterner!!

Scooby, yours sounds like the classic problem associated with the Dashboard TSB. I don't recall the number so do a search on this web for "Dash Sqeak" and you should find a reference to it. PS: I got a Ducati 450 Desmo engine gathering dust at home, email if interested.

Ron.

 

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Just jokin' Ron. Besides, I know you are sharp enough to figure it out. BTW, that was a real trick way of ridding the crickets while enhancing your BD exhaust brake installation.

Sorry I missed you the last time you were up at Rob's.

John

 

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I have a similar vibration/grind sound. Noise comes and goes, only under acceleration and worse with a trailer. Met with DC District Manager and had it inspected by mechanics at three dealers. Best theory was vibration up the throttle cable from the engine transmitting into the cab (like a stethascope). They think the noise is throttle position sensitive not because of torque on the drivetrain but because of tension in the cable.

With my truck's history (bad drive shaft bearing at 900 miles) I was concerned there was damage in the drive train so I drained the transfer case anyway and checked for metal. None found!

I am finally convinced my drive train is safe so I am going to get used to the noise.

If anyone finds a fix, let me know.

Thanks!
Jonathan

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2000 Ram 2500 QC 4x4 SLT with Cummins and 5 spd transmisssion.
Stock so far but considering bedliner and louvered gate... then?

 

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JMFVet, VDO advised me to use rubber hose instead of the nylon tubing to reduce sound transmission on my boost line. I elected to use a -3 AN braided stainless steel/nylon boost line instead. However, after temporarily hooking up a pressure gauge to my BD exhaust brake to sample max. back pressure readings (routing the nylon tubing in the cab through the VERY slightly opened window), it appeared to be true! Sound transmission (turbo whine) was very apparent through the tubing.

[This message has been edited by John (edited 07-03-2000). ]

 

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My under dash noise came from a quarter that was laying on top of the stereo,must have gotten in thru the cup holder.

 

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Originally posted by RonVB:
I have been trying to track down a very annoying rattle that seems to come from behind the tachometer or within the steering column. It occurs between 2000 to 2300 rpm and is loudest when loaded pulling our fiver. Sounds very metallic in nature like a loose washer or bolt.

Dont know if you ever found this rattle. I did..... to dealer 4 times .
1. took dash apart and put back together with same rattle and a new squeek.
2 took dash apart and put back to gether with same rattle and squeek
3 same as above
4 kept it 6 days removed complete dash and harnesses. really p@@@@@ me off . sprayed rubber s@@t all under and over any thing they could squirt. Picked up truck,and gagged and choked an the solvent odor (stink). had to drive it with the windows down for 2 mos untill the rubber s@@t cured. same result as #3 except squeek was gone. 2 days later i was changing my oil and brushed the drivers inner fender and tinny little rattle. DC uses plastic rivets th hold the inner fender on. the rivetes were not set tight and the 2 lowest ones at the fire wall are attached to the fire wall to cab side panel flange. you would not think that plastic and metal would sound tinny aka small washers on a loose bolt or screw but it does. 0730hrs next day I was at 5 screw oops I mean starr dealer. A pair of dikes (can we say that here without getting NOW upset ), 6 plastic pop rivets and 5min. later rattle gone... ... .....

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2K,2500,Laramie +,Quad,4x,"slushbox",everything cept leather and clearance lites, reese 5k 5th slider,

[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 08-31-2000). ]

 

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My truck is a Mexican built truck. I had a rattle under the back seat. Took out everything - still rattled. Finally found a punch awl bouncing between the floor and rear wall. It had "Jose Himinez" scratched on the handle. I kept it.

 

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Ron,

I have a rattle from the plastic cover on the steering column that wraps around the column and covers the top and sides. It only seems to rattle when accellerating, on a uphill grade or when towing. Must be rpm related. I can put my hand on it and noise stops but haven't found a way to stop noise yet. Hope your noise is simple to find and curable. That can be very frustrating.
Good-luck,
Ed

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1999 QC SLT 4x4 LB 2500 Cummins, 6 speed, HD.

 

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I also have a rattle at all speeds that started a week ago. It sounded like it was coming from behind the tach. Garage worked on it for 3 hours and 3 test runs and blamed it on aftermarket gauge wiring that runs up the pillar. Sounds like a pencil tapping agains the plastic in the dash whenever I hit the slightest bump. Taking it to the gauge installer to see what he can find.

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2001 Ram 3500 dually, 4:10, auto, SLT+,anti-spin,custom side paint, Custom pin striping,Advanced Thermal Products Sound Blanket Kit, Smittybar nerf step,Geno's stainless wheel well trim, tonneau cover, air dam, chrome monster tip, mud flaps/chrome tips,pyro-trans-boost gauges, Bosch 275 Injectors, Van Aaken.

 

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Originally posted by Millfly:
I also have a rattle at all speeds that started a week ago. It sounded like it was coming from behind the tach. Garage worked on it for 3 hours and 3 test runs and blamed it on aftermarket gauge wiring that runs up the pillar. Sounds like a pencil tapping agains the plastic in the dash whenever I hit the slightest bump. Taking it to the gauge installer to see what he can find.

Did you check your inner fender??? pluck it like a guitar string on the bottom edge and then hit the bottom edge lightly with the heel of your hand and listen. My rattle transmitted and sounded like it was appro 2 to3" in front of the fire wall right behind the tach