My '07 Type-S is now two weeks old (450 miles), and since about day 5 has had a really annoying rattle that sounds like it's coming from the dash (eg: behind the speedometer, etc.) or the steering wheel. It sounds like it could be wires vibrating against plastic.

I've read lots of rattle threads, but I can't figure out if there's anything I can fix here, or if I need to take it to Acura (which would be a pain). I saw jsla's rattle fix thread, but I can't figure out how to remove the instrument cluster to check there.

Any advice?

Thanks!

-Mike

 

I have the same rattle. I'm nervous about having it fixed as I don't like the idea of the instrument cluster being removed. If you find a fix (or have the dealer remove it) keep us posted.

 

Probably the center channel speaker.

 

I've been able to rule out the center speaker. I first thought the same thing. It's definitely coming from the instrument cluster or steering wheel housing. I'll probably get brave and ask the dealer to address it during my first oil change. I also have a rattle what sounds like from the seat belt housing as well.

 

Mine devleoped somehting too I have 07 TL Navi, it sounds like it is coming fomr the area in front of and under the auto headlight sensor. I noticed if I lean/push the dash up leaning against the edge above the guages toward the widnshield it seems to resolve the issue temporarily. I hate the idea of pulling the guage cluster or dash. I may wait I suspect if I wedge something between the dash and windshield it may help. Had similr (but more of a squeak than rattle) in my 04 TL. I wonder if it is something with the light sensor there.

 

I've narrowed my rattle down to the steering wheel/column. If I thump on the steering column with the flat of my hand, I hear the exact same rattle I hear when driving. I don't see any way to get in there, so I guess it's a dealer trip.

 

Once you've taken it to the dealer and have it fixed can you keep us posted on what exactly they did? This way I can take it to my dealer and have them do the same. Thanks!

 

For those hearing a clicky sounding rattle coming from up front near the auto healight sensor I think it is the senros itself, if you tap that protruding sensor on the sides with a thump you will hear what sound liek the same rattle. I have jammed some wetaher stripping there for now to stop that area from vibrating to see if the rattle clears up. Seems there is something in that sensor that moves around.

 

Woah, i thought this was just my Type-S.. I'm getting extremely irritated with that noise and from reading the previous posts, i've done the exact same thing. Holding down the RPM plastice gauge screen stops the rattling.. But the second you let go, it continues.. HELP

 

for the RPM gauge rattle, hold the black plastiv cover ONLY and pull, this will release the clips that hold it on. Then foam up the back of it and put back in.
I am not responsible if you break anything or mess it up in any way.

 

Happens in my Type-S as well. It is really embarrassing when I turn the radio down to hold a conversation and I hear the rattle. I've found that if I push the steering wheel in while driving, it goes away some.

I believe mine is definitely in the steering column somewhere. While parked, I can tap the steering wheel to make the rattle happen. If I pull the lever down that allows adjustment of the stearing wheel ... it doesn't do it anymore.

I'm going to bring it up to my dealer when I take it in for my first oil change.

 

HOW TO FIX ^^^^^^^^^^

 

Good fix info (and appreciated) but doesn't help with the rattle coming from inside the steering column.

 

OK I think i am close to having mine fixed. It seems the way the guage cluster is mounted casues the plastic section to make noise at time, over bumps or a slitghly bumpy road. Pushing in on the Tach usually clears up the probelm. I spent a few hours trying to tighten, and pad the guages but it finally came back. Then I tried something simple that seems to be helping a great deal. The trick for my issue is to get pressure applied to the tach plastic cover this pressing the guage cluster firmly back. I removed the plastic trim, and bought some 1" square flet pads that are stiff and like 1/8" - 1/4" think. I took one and folded it over the protruding tab that is around the 5000 RPM area (circled in yellow) I then trimmed one pad into 2 smal 3/8" wide strips and put one on the face of the tach guage cover (don't worry the flat part is covered by the trim) then put the other on the back of the trim piece to line up with the piece I put on the tach cover. I then pu the trim back and made sure it was seated tight. You may notice the left edge will look a tad raised (compared to the right side), but still below the surrounding dash. Thats seems to be working for me so far, I still get the occasional rattle over a big bump, but so far nothing over mnor bumps or broken up pavement. Seems the 07 guage cluster needs to be rethough on how it is assembled and mounted, you can get the noise to happen by tapping the exposed guage cluster just right and just applying pressure forward and backward. The pic is the before shot, I forgot to take an after shot, if I have to open it up again I'll pop more shots.


http://www.pbase.com/kluken/image/73020603.jpg

 

As for my original steering column rattle, I took it to Acura and they seem to have resolved it. Hopefully it's really fixed and won't re-appear in a few days.

 

Well my noise is back although only when it is cool out now, so I guess I need more padding. Guess I'll be driving around a while with the dash trim removed.

 

I would think they would fix all those rattles with the newer models...guess not.

 

Well after a few hours of work I have narrowed down the probelm withmy rattle. I took out theguages cluster and foamed ever where anything touches then reinstalled the guages. A note that disconnecting the cabels that go to the guages will reset the trip computers and the dash light brightness. The Maintenace Mid seems to retain its info fine. The problem still occurs. After more playing it seem the rattle is int he assmbly of the gueages themselves. There is a clear plastic cover the attaches to another plastic housing that then attaches to the back plastic plate of the guage cluster. If I wiggel the plastic housing and cover that attach to the back plate i get a similar noise. Seems this guage cluster assmbly is put togther very loosely. Before I start ripping the guages apart I am going to go to my dealer and talk to the service manager to see if they will order a new guage cluster for me, if not then I'll be forced to see if I can firm up the seal better.

http://www.pbase.com/kluken/tl_dash

 

this rattle just started for me last night... i was trying to pinpoint the location as i was driving... and the best to my ability it seemed like it was where the pillar trim meets with the dash... when i held it down the rattle stopped but it seems to lift itself again... so maybe it is the headlight sensor or underneath... i will check next time i drive the car again... so far my gauge cluster rattle has not come back since i started tapping on the tack gauge trim to try and find that rattle... but im sure it will come back... i really don't want to have to take it to the dealer...

 

Keith, thanks for the photos!

 

Well I think I had 2 issues. The guages were squeaking alittle and adding padding and stuff int here fixed that, but the worse rattle was indeed back by the front of the dash where near where the VIN plate is. To fix it I boaught a pakages of no-skip rubber pads (Lowe's) that are used to put on the botton of chairs with metal tube bottems. I stuck 2 of them togeher tand wedged it in between the dash and the windshield just to the right of the VIN plate. My dash has been rattle free for over 3 days now.