1998 Acura CL 3.0

OK, it remains a mystery to me. There is a rattle in the door that I just can't pinpoint. I even went as so far as to use a stethoscope while someone else drives. Here's the scoop:

I removed the interior door panel. If I tap on the door now, there is no rattle. If I tap on the panel (off the door), there is a slight "vibration" rattle sound. If I put the panel back on the door, the rattle returns. So it only rattles when the door is all assembled. I have been driving around without the interior panel on the car for a few days and it is pleasantly SILENT. Argggh, what can I do?

Steps on trying to repair:

So, I took the panel off the door and took it in the garage. The panel itself has about 10 screws that holds a hard plastic part to the softer plastic/leather part of the door. I thought to put dynomat padding there...that didnt help. Then I figured I line the backing of that interior panel with felt...in thinking that maybe its just hitting up against the metal part of the door. NOPE, rattle still there.

Has anyone else ever experienced this?

 

try pinpointing a location while someone else drives the car like you did earlier. that might help locate the problem. it could be a wire or something vibrating against a metal piece.

 

I had the same problem and after a few months i found out it was the little black trim by the door handle and the lock. It happened again but this time it was the cable from the window regualtor. i just used some of that foam tape for both and its as food as new now.

 

i have a 98 3.0 cl and im hearing the same thing in my car, especially when i hit a bump. im not sure what it is?