After driving Saabs (with the exception of the great '94 Legend) for the last 20 years, the '04 TL is really an outstanding driver's car. I am surprised however at the number of creaks, rattles and buzzes. The most annoying one comes at about 1800 RPM, especially accelerating uphill from a standing stop. It almost sounds like a loose speaker cone that vibrates just at a certain frequency, but I can't pin down the location since it only is momentary. Anyone seen or solved this? Thanks!

(One that I did find is the covers on the sunvisor mirrors and the mirror lights. Tap on the headliner and you will hear these rattle!)

 

Manual or Auto?

 

Mmmm, I'm not sure what you're pointing to... that could be the rattle caused by the resonance of vibration in your panel console.

Or, in 5AT, you're talking the droning sound at that RPM range, 1400-1800 RPM, due to the resonance of exhaust.

 

5 AT. Definitely coming from up front; probably the center speaker area. I've tried to "feel" the sound when it happens, but it doesn't last long enough.

 

I had a really bad rattle out of my car on Saturday, only have 150 miles on it.
I couldn't figure it out but then it hit me. I had removed some things from my
glove box. I didn't think that could be the issue as it sounded like it was coming from the center of the dash but after I reorganized things in my glove box the rattle went away. I thought for sure I was going to head to Acura for them to look at but all is good now. May want to check your glove box for any items that could cause rattle. I have the leather manual holder on the bottom with anything else on top of that.

 

BenM,

I know exactly what you're talking about. I have the same thing. I have been trying to figure out where it's coming from as well - no luck. It's not a rattle... it's an oddball buzz kind of vibration. From a stop, if I accelerate hard, I'll hear it. I also have the 5AT.

I originally thought it was the aluminum (?) surround on the gear shift. You know the metal portion that the shift comes through (at least it's aluminum on the ebony interior).

 

GaleForce, what is that buzz in a manual. It has been so long since I drove one, and I'll get it too

 

I found the source of this problem last night! It is the windshield wiper stalk. Just as Rocketsfan said, I was accelerating from a stop and a hard rain started. Hit the wipers just as I heard the buzz and it stopped. If you tap on the stalk when the car is shut down, you'll hear the loose plastic. It looks like there is a little too much tolerance around the intermittent control and it vibrates in a narrow frequency band, just about 1800 RPM. I'll mention this to my dealer, but I doubt they will fix it. I'll try to come up with a fix myself.

 

Are you refering to the wiper control arm/switch extending from the steering column? Guess I never heard it called a "stalk". I have a buzz somewhere around the cluster/column, maybe thats it.

Thanks

 

I had a buzzing/vibration noise at some acceleration levels (probably around 1800rpm as well) and I traced it to the door panel, which has a buzzing sound when the windows are fully closed. I had them fix this but it's still there...

I think the 1800 rpm range sends some sort of frequency that vibrates the body more than other ranges.

Also, I had them replace my left driver's side visor because there was a loose piece in it that rattled whenever I drove (no matter how smooth the road is).

 

yep, around 1500rpms or so the car hits a resonance frequency.

 

Speaking of rattles and I know there have been a ton of posts on this, but does anyone have the subwoofer vibration in the back? On certain songs, with a lot of bass, it sounds like the subwoofer is rattling back there. It only lasts for a couple seconds depending on the song and the frequency. The volume isn't even cranked up when this happens.

 

Yes, my sub does this -- guaranteed -- on No Doubt's My Life song (at the very beginning). However, this is strictly due to the subwoofer's ability to produce that frequency. I insulated the rear panel with sound deadening material and it didnt' make a difference for that particular song, but helped out for other songs.

 

I had a strange buzz, too, but then I realized a cicada had flown into the car. Nasty little fuckers, even if they are harmless.