TSB Issued for Buzzing rattle in dashboard

Thought you might be - decades ago, I put a small amount inside a portable wall panel I was making - and watched the plywood facings bend out ... and out ... and out ... seemingly never going to stop. Back to the drawing board.

 

Just this morning on my way to work, I was listening to a song that had a lot of bass. I could hear a buzzing sound coming from the passenger side dash... I'm guessing it's the TSB rattle I'm hearing. I hope they don't have to destroy my dash to put in one small clip.

 

yes i've heard it too! once when we were driving by a rave concert event and waiting at the light
there was a repetitive ultra low but strong bass beat ( almost at the lower frequency limit range of human hearing ) that was making the dash go crazy with each beat. i dare say that the way to diagnose if your car has this problem is to bring it to a place with outdoor concert strength speakers. i do not think home systems have enough broadcast strength. perhaps a good ice system might

 

Mine started to buzz around the time I started using the AC earlier this summer. Today it wouldn't stop so I might poke around under the dash to see if it is actually coming from the duct in the TSB.

 

Just returned from the dealer for service. No TSB in Canada for this one yet. It is annoying the hell out of me when the buzzing happens.

 

Sorry to hear your frustrating dealer experience. I can relate. It's time to take matters into our own hands. There are definitely loose parts inside the dash of my car, rattling over all bumps and buzzing continuously on rough road surfaces. I want to take apart my dashboard and nail down all of the plastic parts and/or wiring harnesses and/or other assemblies.

 

The buzz. I removed the end panel off the dash and put some packing foam/sponge around any obvious sources, it's gone now. Some double sided foam tape also works well. The end panel springs out from the edge and pulls forward from the door. Comes off easily no pry bars needed, you can do it with your nails, false ones excluded.

 

yep, I've removed the end caps and looked/felt inside. Is there a specific area inside the guts of the dashboard that seemed to do the trick? Thanks.

 

The bit that buzzes Sorry its a bit poke and hope I found above the duct between the dash. When I thumped the dash in that spot it stopped for a while. Much better now, I cut thinnish strips and pushed them in with a blunt chisel.

 

Finally got my part in and had it installed. Took a couple hours but no more annoying buzzing on certain roads. Glad its finally done.

 

just get some zip ties and tighten it around the white foot air duct on the driver side and buzzing gone. Haven't heard it for 4 months.

 

Hi Guys quick question I have a 2017 model Prius I am going to be taking it to the dealership soon just have not found the time, however I feel like the buzzing noise is coming from the middle of the dash and roughly going more than 30 MPH it drives me and my fiancé nuts! Can this also go by the code TSB, T-SB-0193-17?

 

The whole dashboard rattles; its driving me (us) crazy. The heater duct duct outlet on my early build 2106 was replaced,and it stopped the buzzing sound under the dashboard. But my entire dashboard and doors make a rattling/buzzing sound any time I drive over bumpy pavement, change lanes over Dotts bots, etc..

Sorry 408 you're having the same issue on your prime. Check the forum history to see what you can fix, and follow thru with Toyota headquarters.

 

just to be on the record. I have a 2017 with a rattle/buzz from dash that I cannot pinpoint. Purchased in early 2017 before theTSB was issued and a car that had been hidden away on a storage lot for a while.
I will see if they can investigate.

 

I was wiring up my dash cam yesterday and decided to poke around and ended up fixing two obvious rattles/buzzes. The first was the duct in the TSB but I wasn't going to bother with the dealer so I simply pulled the two halves apart and applied some RTV silicone to the split line, buzz gone. The other was a bolt on the fuse box bracket that wasn't seated which allowed the washer to rattle. The bolt wouldn't tighten any more so I removed it and added a rubber washer, rattle gone. I've only driven for 20 minutes since the fixes but all seems quiet again. Next week we leave on a 3k+ mile trip so we'll see if things stay quiet.

 

I’ll start off with saying this is a great car, really like what they did with the redesign. Within the last month or so the car has developed a noticeable dash rattle. It doesn’t always rattle but seems to mostly happen when the car is cold and/or going over rough roads. It’s definitely not T-SB-0193-17 since that applies only to 2016 model years (see below) and I have a 2017. Also, the noise is coming from the center top dash, not the “Buzzing Noise From LH Side Under Dash” like the TSB describes.
Location of rattle:

2017Prius_pov1 by CoolPrius posted Dec 22, 2017 at 7:07 PM

I have videos in MOV file type. Going to see if I can insert them later so you all can listen to what it sounds like.
Looking at the factory service manual diagrams the part directly below the dashboard cover is the defrost vent. That appears what is causing the rattle/vibration noise. So, I’m going to “pop the top” and take a look.

Prius_Dashboard_clips by CoolPrius posted Dec 22, 2017 at 7:07 PM

 

This isn't a how-to but does show the general steps I took in locating where the noise was coming from. I just didn't feel like going to the dealer since it was minor and I have a little experience working on cars. Tapping your hand on the dashboard (not on the cluster, just behind it) will determine if you have this same issue. You'll definitely hear it. Thank goodness the whole dash didn't have to come out, just the top section pulled up.

1. remove dash speaker cover and speakers
2. pull the pillar trim and use a tool to release the plastic hook

Prius_dashrattle_fix1 by CoolPrius posted Dec 22, 2017 at 7:07 PM

3. remove black plastic pin then you can lift up on the top dash board to get a peek inside

Prius_dashrattle_fix2 by CoolPrius posted Dec 22, 2017 at 7:07 PM

4. in the center is a black plastic box (white on bottom, black in the middle and a clear plastic cover on top **hidden by pink wires in image**)

Prius_dashrattle_fix3 by CoolPrius posted Dec 22, 2017 at 7:07 PM

5. Whatever that plastic cover on top is, it's loose either by design or just got that way after driving around. You can wiggle it with your finger. If you flick the box it will make that rattle sound. You could probably use a foam square spacer but I had some Sonic Barrier Butyl Rubber Door Sealer that I just rolled up in a ball and shoved it in there. Should hold its shape and stick to the top and bottom to reduce any vibrations.
6. After a 200+ mile road trip I didn't hear that rattle one time.

Prius_BR by CoolPrius posted Dec 22, 2017 at 7:32 PM