Dashboard rattle with JBL?

I have it but still looking for the exact location

 

My warranty is out so I didn't bother checking

 

I had this problem with my Gen3 Prius, the dash speaker would vibrate after driving for 20 minutes or so (even with radio turned off?). The dealer couldn't find fault and renewed speaker, but fault still occurred... turned out to be a dashboard rattle that channelled through the speaker. Removing the dashboard caused further rattles and the dashboard was eventually replaced, I regret letting the dealer tackle this problem as replacing the dashboard did not resolve the problem and the rattles are worse.

 

Toyota replaced the drivers side speaker, however, there seemed to be a rattle which echoed through the drivers side speaker, since going to Toyota the whole dash now rattles.

 

Need to check them from my friends new car and will post a brief review about these speakers

 

No problem with my JBLs... great acoustics in the Prius - realized I have the music blasting sometimes.... Hope they get your problem fixed!

 

If your dealership does not have a qualified tech who knows how the dash-quieting is performed, yes - it could rattle worse after an extraction. As for the speakers in the dash, they are rather small (OEM or JBL) and are most likely tweeters. There's one bolt that holds them onto the dash that if left loose, could cause a rattle. There's also a 10 mm bolt under the speaker grille that holds the dash plate onto the firewall. If this bolt is not secure, more rattles can happen.

BTW, the speaker grilles are simply pressed into hidden mounting holes underneath it. They can be CAREFULLY pried out once the A beam cover is removed.

 

@ Jin: what is your technical and mechanical ability? I can tell you how to get the speaker grilles off so you can inspect the speakers themselves - also to see if they are properly tight or if there is debris on the speaker itself causing the rattles:

1) carefully pry the A pillar cover starting at the top where it meets the headliner. You will hear a snap when the circular plastic body connector pops from the hole. You will see a longer connector that is thicker black plastic - this prevents the cover from dislodging during air bag deployment. You must rotate this black piece of plastic 90 degrees (either way) so you can pull the A frame cover free of it. BE SURE YOU REVERSE THIS PROCESS WHEN PUTTING IT BACK ON. Now pull the cover carefully towards you and it should come out of its various connecting points. Save in a clean area.

2) lift up the triangular window base cover plate (with the small vents). Again store in a clean area.

3) now the right edge of the speaker grille will be exposed. Carefully pry it up from the front of the right side so the front edge nearest you comes up first. Notice that you need to pull the grille slightly forward to extract it. Be sure you reverse this process when replacing it.

You should now see the 2 bolts holding down the speaker and the right-most dash mounting bolt. I believe these are all 10 mm. Inspect the speaker element and cone for damage or debris. You can put your car in accessory mode and test the stereo to determine where the rattles are.
Using hand tension on a 10 mm socket, be sure the speaker bolts are tight. Also, check the right-most dash mounting bolt for tightness too, you can gently tighten that with a long extension on your socket wrench. You can drive the car and test to see if you found the rattles. If so, re-assemble the components in the reverse order. The A frame cover should have its round plastic connector positioned in the U slot so it can mate with the hole in the frame. Also, the cover needs to be tucked behind the flexible trim around the door.

Note: If the dash-plate bolt was loose, I'd put a bit of felt between the back of the plastic and the metal mounting bracket. Toyota does not provide a lock-washer. If you have one, put that between the bolt and hole in the dash. Good luck.

 

Let's just say that I refer to my Prius as "my lil rattler" and not because I'm from the Sonoran Desert...

 

I definitely have this problem. I hate it. I mean it's JBL, the same guys making the ML systems in my Lexus GX and RX. I am very disappointed. Seems I get rattle not just from the passenger side either. But thanks for the DIY. I am gonna look it over and see what I can do myself.

 

Just discovered this TOYOTA T-SB-0064-12 for US market, seems to relate to the rattle noise on right had side of dashboard.