RESOLVED: Annoying rattling sound from dash area

[rjohnson7581]

Within the last month, I started hearing a rattling sound coming from the passenger side dash area. At least that's where it sounds like it's coming from. It starts around 30mph and gets louder the faster I go. It has a similar sound to loose glass like a window rattling. So far, I've tried everything below that I've read online for possible ideas and what I thought it could be:


Possible loose plastic under hood above firewall
Loose running board
Loose fender flare
Loose air filter cover
Loose plastic in wheel well
Something in upper or lower glovebox
Something inside door panel
Under the seat jack cover (plastic piece under edge of seat for jack access)
Checked door latch
Checked window to make sure it's not loose or off track
Checked speaker to see if it was loose, tweeter too
Checked for connections rattling in box under carpet

I don't keep anything in my glovebox that can cause a rattling and I don't keep anything on the doors either, except my wife's umbrella on the back door but I took it out and the sound is still there. Anyone else ever have this idea or know what it could be?

This is a 2021 RAM 1500 Classic SLT 3.6L

 

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

Within the last month, I started hearing a rattling sound coming from the passenger side dash area. At least that's where it sounds like it's coming from. It starts around 30mph and gets louder the faster I go. It has a similar sound to loose glass like a window rattling. So far, I've tried everything below that I've read online for possible ideas and what I thought it could be:


Possible loose plastic under hood above firewall
Loose running board
Loose fender flare
Loose air filter cover
Loose plastic in wheel well
Something in upper or lower glovebox
Something inside door panel
Under the seat jack cover (plastic piece under edge of seat for jack access)
Checked door latch
Checked window to make sure it's not loose or off track
Checked speaker to see if it was loose, tweeter too
Checked for connections rattling in box under carpet

I don't keep anything in my glovebox that can cause a rattling and I don't keep anything on the doors either, except my wife's umbrella on the back door but I took it out and the sound is still there. Anyone else ever have this idea or know what it could be?

This is a 2021 RAM 1500 Classic SLT 3.6L

I vaguely remember a posit similar to yours from some time ago (I don’t have a link).

The poster determined the rattle was coming from a loose dash bolt, that was under a small beauty cover - on the top side of the dash (near the windshield).

He removed the beauty cover and was able to tighten the dash bolt using a socket wrench with an extension. One side was very loose - the other side was tight.

 

[Daw14]

Have someone drive while you apply pressure on the dash, working your way accross. Maybe you can find it this way .

 

[rjohnson7581]

I vaguely remember a posit similar to yours from some time ago (I don’t have a link).

The poster determined the rattle was coming from a loose dash bolt, that was under a small beauty cover - on the top side of the dash (near the windshield).

He removed the beauty cover and was able to tighten the dash bolt using a socket wrench with an extension. One side was very loose - the other side was tight.

I will have to take a look. I'm at the point where I'm about to rip the whole dash out lol. My luck is if I do that, there will still be a rattle noise.

 

[rjohnson7581]

Have someone drive while you apply pressure on the dash, working your way accross. Maybe you can find it this way .

I've done that but the way it sounds is weird. Sounds like it comes from the top of the dash area but if you move a little, it then sounds like it's coming from the lower part or door. Was hoping someone had the same issue and found out what it was. Going to spend my day at it again looking for loose clips and screws

 

[rjohnson7581]

After spending a lot of time ripping apart the dash trying to find the source of the rattle, I finally found it, and it was nothing in the dash. There was some blindness on my part lol. As many times as I've opened the door, I never noticed the plastic on the front inside of the door came loose. I pushed the clips back in and the rattling was gone. Going to get some double sided tape at some point to make it more secure. I think it may have came loose when my daughter closed the door. Kids these days can't close a door without slamming it.

 

[RamInfo]

I think it may have came loose when my daughter closed the door. Kids these days can't close a door without slamming it.

Yup, Tesla’s truck(?) has had issues like that, too. I’m tired of reminding people, even older folks who should know better, that my truck doors just need to be closed, not slammed. Apparently, the entire world grew up with a ‘52 Chevy field truck with rusted door latches.

Best,
RI

 

[TJP440]

Reminds me of a customer from several years back. he called me the day after he picked his car up and said "You found the rattle I've been chasing for a couple of years". I replied yes. He said but you didn't charge me for it or list it on the invoice. I replied I forgot.
He said I have to know what it was.
I said I can't tell you,
WHY?
Because I moved it
HUH?
I said, I moved it.
WHERE???
To the glovebox
What?
It's now in the glovebox
He's totally baffled at this point

So I finally told him it was all the loose change in his ashtray. We had wrapped it up in a paper towel, placed it in a baggie and put it in the glove box

 

[Chief108]

After spending a lot of time ripping apart the dash trying to find the source of the rattle, I finally found it, and it was nothing in the dash. There was some blindness on my part lol. As many times as I've opened the door, I never noticed the plastic on the front inside of the door came loose. I pushed the clips back in and the rattling was gone. Going to get some double sided tape at some point to make it more secure. I think it may have came loose when my daughter closed the door. Kids these days can't close a door without slamming it.

A rattle just started 2 days ago coming from the front passenger side dashboard of my 2023 Ram 1500. Driving me nuts. This may save me a lot of time in my so far fruitless search.

 

[Hagar1]

One of the big things to remember when chasing noises is that sound sometimes travels in the vehicle. I remember years ago, in a different life, I was asked to road test a vehicle for transmission noise. The guy in the shop was sure it was the transfer gears in the front drive transmission.
So, we went for a drive out onto the highway. After a mile or two, I stopped on the shoulder, pulled off the aftermarket roof racks and the noise was gone.
All the while that noise was showing up on the left side near your feet. Yes, sound can and does travel.

 

[Hagar1]

One of the big things to remember when chasing noises is that sound sometimes travels in the vehicle. I remember years ago, in a different life, I was asked to road test a vehicle for transmission noise. The guy in the shop was sure it was the transfer gears in the front drive transmission.
So, we went for a drive out onto the highway. After a mile or two, I stopped on the shoulder, pulled off the aftermarket roof racks and the noise was gone.
All the while that noise was showing up on the left side near your feet. Yes, sound can and does travel.

I guess the moral of the story is to be wary of any changes that might have been made.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Another note: The rolling plastic erector sets expand / contract / harden / soften with the temp. When it gets cold there can be quite a few squeaks and rattles that don't happen when the plastic swells / softens in the warm weather.