What's up guys. I have about 2K miles on my TL. I am getting a rattling noise from the center of the dash it seems like it is above the NAV. It is very noticeable at lower speeds.

 

I'm having the same problems with my '04 TL. I have 3k miles on it. If someone holds the aluminumish molding tight then the noise vanishes. I guess something is loose.


I also notice a rattling from the passenger side. The storage compartment on the door vibrates when it's closed. If I have the compartment slightly open (about an inch) then the noise vanishes.

 

anth32 -

This is a pretty common problem. I did this yesterday:
http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showt...ker+rattle+fix

I don't know if this link will work. If not, do a search on "center speaker rattle fix" in the Third Gen forums. The original post was by vtechbrain on 5/27/04.

Just be more careful than I was. When I popped the speaker grille assembly out I dropped one of the clips into the dash. I couldn't get it out. Hopefully this won't turn into another rattle. Or worse - a short. The clip dropped in somewhere above the nav display.

You can get the foam at Home Depot for about $2. I used (I think) 1/4" wide foam.

For the record, my noise was like a grown at low speed when starting from a dead stop. One up to speed it was gone. I have also tried various fixed for other noises from the two compartment doors below the stereo controls.

 

I can't believe all of the rattles in my car. Headliner, sunroof panel, center console, passengers seat when unoccupied, passengers door. Why does it seem that all Honda/Acura products have such problems when it comes to rattles? I drove a 99 Nissan Altima today with 130,000 miles on it, and it felt much tighter than my TL.

 

Thanks for the input. FX your response seems to be exactly what I have. At low speed when you press on the gas it starts and the goes away. Very annoying. I came from a G35 Coupe with no problems, however the TL is still a great car.

 

I don't think all Acuras are like this. My previous Acura was a 2001 CL-S. That car was great, no noises. The tranny died on me, but I was a sent a letter in advance warning me about it, so it wasn't a complete shock.

 

Looking back at my previous post "grown" should be "growl". Man, I can't type. Anyway, give the foam trick a try. I'm willing to bet that's the problem. Good luck

 

I just dropped off my TL at the dealership and got a TSX loaner! But my TL is being fixed for center speaker rattle, Sunroof ceiling almost coming off, and my Bluetooth connection just dying totally...its not even picking up the phone anymore...so lets see how long it takes them to fix all of this...meanwhile i am enjoying the TSX!

 

Tonight I discovered that the noise I was convinced was coming from the dash was really coming from the visor. I couldn't believe it. So, I placed little clear rubber bumpers on the four corners of the courtesy light. These are the bumpers used in cabinets so the cabinet doors don't make so much noise when you close them. Found them in Home Depot.
I haven't driven the car yet but I'll see if it worked in the morning.

 

I can almost guarantee you fixed that rattle, I had the same EXACT noise and thought it was coming from the dash as well. Mine was the sun visor. Let us know what happens...

 

Huh....well so far, so good. I took the car out this morning to get the paper and drove on the rough road that was enabling the rattle. NO RATTLE!! I've learned to give these things time though.......

If it hasn't worked I'll post. The thing that kills me though is how the sound seemed to be coming from the front dash by the defrost vent. I even took the center speaker out two nights ago and reached under there to find the anything loose.

 

I seem to have a persistent rattle that sounds like it's coming from somewhere above the glove box (maybe the airbag area?). How did you confirm that the rattle was coming from the visor? I can't seem to duplicate the sound.

 

The visor does sometimes rattle. The mirror hits the light and makes a noise. I still think mine is coming from the front speaker. When I tap on it at idle it makes the exact same noise as when I am traveling at low speeds. Is it a big problem taking off the speaker cover?

 

Not at all. Do a search. It comes off effortlessly!! It takes 2 min to fix this problem.

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82055

 

I have to admit I am disapointed in the rattle issues on this car. I've never had a car with so many rattles. I just got the driver side visor rattle this week and I've had the top center storage door rattle for sometime. I also get a rattle when the sunroof is tilted up. Mechanically, 2000 miles so far, the car has been very good but the fit and finish seems below par for any car make. I also have the butt imprint on my drivers seat. I sure didn't expect this from Acura.

 

Mindcrime-
I hear you. It's been a trade-off with this car. It looks good, feels good to get into, Navi is cool, XM is great-but then you put your foot on the pedal. Suddenly there's a feeling of cheapness that permeates the cabin when everything starts to make noise.
I've had BOTH visors attended to, fixed headliner noise and shift plate noise myself, lined the windows wih materials to keep creaking sounds from happening. The car has been in twice to fix rear deck noise coming from the subwoofer. The third breaklight housing drooped and had to be replaced-at night the red glare from the light behind me made me feel like I was being chased by a UFO.

I'm not sure that I will keep this car beyond the warranty period. I don't know if I would take that chance. Will I buy another ACURA?? It depends on how consumers rate the new TL's in the coming years and how my dealer responds to these issues. If the dealer is patient with these issues and fixes them, and the issues disappear (thank God for the internet and this forum) then there's a chance I'll buy another one.

If the car doesn't improve then this is MLA......

My Last Acura

 

I'm glad you mentioned the issue with the droping rear 3rd brake light. Just about 2 weeks ago I went out at night and noticed when I hit the break my rear window was a glowing red. I thought, hmmm I don't remember that before but didn't drive at night again for a while. I went out after reading your post and yep....my 3rd light is droping on one side which allows the light to shine on the rear window. Ughh, I guess I better bring the car in to get my rattles and this fixed.

 

I have a great steering wheel rattle also. It sounds like loose change jingling around in the wheel. This is my third and absolutely my last Acura. I can't believe all of the rattles in the car. My dealer thinks I am being too picky, as he feels that it is part of the character of the car.

 

Part of the character of the car to rattle the way it does??? That's ridiculous. Your dealer should just admit that the car is plagued with rattles. I think this is probably my last Acura as well.

 

I had the exact same rattle - pretty loud. I troubleshot and found it was not the center channel - it was actually the door under the tape deck. When I drive with it open - no rattle, close it and it returns. My chap fic, bought some felt "dots" ($0.98 at HD for a pack of 20) and placed on either side of compartment (2 stacked on each side). Rattle fixed.

Before you do the center channel fix try this much less invasive fix.