Rattle from the passenger side dashboard

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...3-dashboard-rattles-creaks-11.html#post994463

 

Same problem, same area only mine's worse. It's all over the dash and center consol. Not the central arm rest compartment. No luck with the dealer.

 

That's the problem with rattles and the source of all my frustration and protest. Dealers usually do little to resolve rattle noises and if they fix any, those usually come back, sometimes even worse.

You know, I decided to not get the Prius NAV because of its quality, it's a personal choice, no big deal, also was frustrated for a while about the 5K oil change interval (OCI) whereas it should make perfect sense for Toyota to change it to 10K, but I got over that one too; however, the rattle noises will be hard to get over because it is there all the time and it appears to be aggravating.

 

It would be interesting to know how many would delay their Prius purchase if they knew that they were going to get a vehicle that is going to have lots of creaks and rattle on their dashboard or console.

I do a lot of long distance driving (6-8hrs) non stop to visit relatives regularly and I know that I will get aggravated if I am constanly hearing noises. (heh heh, lucky my wife does not do that

 

It would be interesting to know how many would delay their Prius purchase if they knew that they were going to get a vehicle that is going to have lots of creaks and rattle on their dashboard or console.

I don't have them so I guess I am glad. The little minor ones I have corrected myself with Adhesive Felt pads and Mini rubber bumpers.

 

I have it as well, fyi.

I'm going to be taking the door panels off soon (JDM mirror install), and I'll let you know how that goes.

 

I have the same noise in my 2010 III......I think it's something with the speaker....I had this same problem with another car..the speaker is picking up some errant voltage from somewhere and it's coming out as static...sounds just like what your hearing......It's not always there...maybe in wet weather more.

I reported this noise to my dealer. He tightened the door jamb bolts..seems to have taken care of this noise.

 

It could be the common noise from the lower glove box. Here is a cure: Put a bit of plumbers grease (silicon based) on the internal plastic latches, lower hinge and on the black plastic damper pivot points (right side of box when open).
Be careful not to get this grease on any cloth or carpet as it could stain it.

 

I had a rattle that came from the same area. Drove me nuts until I figured out it was the top shelf in the top glove compartment. It was slightly out of the track and rattled every time I hit a bump.

 

I also think it's from one of the glove compartments. When I wiggle the bottom one, the rattle seems to go away...

 

I don't think that particular rattle is from the bottom glove compartment, at least not on my car. I took the bottom glove compartment completely out last winter and the rattle, unfortunately, was still there.

 

check the glovebox hinges... they are not attached tightly and are loose...

 

I took the cabin filter out for its periodic cleaning over the weekend and 'fiddled' with the black plastic damper. It seems that the rattling is somewhat diminished now, at least not as prevalent. I will try applying some grease next time and see what happens.

UPDATE: When I drove into work this morning, I left the lower glove box open for about 10 minutes or so, AND... I didn't hear the rattle.

When the lower glove box is open, the black plastic damper has tension on it, therefore no rattle. When closed, damper is just hanging there, rattling at will.

I'll do some further testing on my way home this afternoon to confirm.

If proven, then it a matter of coming up with a more permanent fix, such as replacing the damper with a large O-ring or something...

 

Well, I am not sure that I am "happy" to find some others with my same problem (thanks to the search feture on the Forum!)
My 2010 III started doing this after about two-to-three months of service. I have driven around with both glove boxes open and I still get a creak. I think it sounds like a loose windshield seal I had on an Explorer I owned once. I'm kind of in agreement with some other posters, I moved from Volkswagen to Toyota for the Prius. However, even with aconvertible top, the Beetle was rattle free and never creaked going over bumps.
Has anyone tried the plumber's grease idea yet? I am almost afraid to take my car to the dealer if some of you are indeed getting more rattles upon a service visit. My salesman is kind of "hands off" on this issue--hmmmmmm!
Fred

 

I have been afraid to take mine in too. Haven't tried plumbers grease, I have been using foam rubber stuffing in around and behind stuff and felt pads and strips. Some success but the one on the right side of the dash is hard to find. I took the little vent out and put foam rubber up under the dash as far as I could and it might have helped? to early to tell.

 

Tom,
I also removed the little side window vent and the passenger's A/C vent due to ticking noises. It must be done carefully or guff marks can result, but they do extract forwards with several anchor clips revealed once extracted. What I did was put some spray silicon lubricant in a large bottle cap and then used a Q-tip to apply it to each clip and along all the seams in the dash where the vents make contact. That way, no silicon was visible when I put the vents back. I did the same for the driver's side A/C vent too. It seems to have helped, but once one rattle is quieted, others become apparent! It is maddening but one by one, I will try to solve them.

Getting back to the dampener as a cause of rattles; it is very easy to test this theory. Just remove the dampener and put the lower glove box back in place without it. Now drive over a rough road and see if the rattle is gone or not. If not, that was not the problem. I have put plumbers grease (silicon) on mine (just the pivot points), but someone here suggested getting rubber O-rings to lock them on the shaft. I like the idea and may pursue that one. It might make removing the glove box for filter change-outs a bit tougher.