I have a couple of annoying rattles from the dashboard. They seem to come from the top of the dash, inside. Maybe from the area of the central vents too. There are two or three distinct ones.

What are the common reasons for dashboard rattles? Is there an easy fix perhaps with bits of foam?

My Passat B7 has a 3 ft length of weatherstripping stuffed down the back of the rear shelf, to stop the infamous rattle. So I am not above a fix of this kind of quality.

Thanks in advance!

It's a 2002 XJR.

 

In my case it was the foam on the flap, which deteriorated over the years. I believe it's the one that directs the air to the windscreen. While driving you can check if the noises stop if you choose different option on the control panel.

I took the central wooden panel and the vents out and glued a piece of new foam. That stopped the annoying rattle.

 

Hi all,

I have a similar rattle like wood on wood. My first thought was that the installed nearside front strut was the issue. After a number of better knowledge than myself. Attempted to find.


It looked as if the noise was coming from the area of the front dashboard. It seems to relate from a severe pot hole in the road. That damaged the front nearside of the car requiring the suspension struts too be replaced.

But I had this noise like wood knocking in the car if you had a poor road finish.

I am thinking the noise is coming from the dashboard area. But have no means at how too look or repair said noise.

 

Years ago I saw a fabulous car-advertisement, where they check out the car in the garage (complaint: rattle from dashboard), they take the whole car apart and then they found the cause:
Woman's earrings in the ashtray!
Well, that could be your problem... - funny, but true.

I could not find that ad anymore, but this here is equally good:

And on a more serious note:

PS: One more for the list of possible squeaks: The power steering (on my S-Type) squeaks. Not a lot, but it does. And it by far does not squeak as loud as it was when I received it: I changed the power steering fluid.

 

I've had squeaky windscreen defroster grill and creaky windscreen washer button. Latter one sounded like it was coming from the center air vents or behind instrument cluster. But no. It was the button.