Hey there, It's gotten a bit colder here (well, cold for San Francisco -- about 40 degrees in the morning when I drive to work)... and I've just noticed that my car is making a crackling sound a bit, particularly when I'm driving on the freeway. It does this whether the defrost/AC is on or not. It's hard to localize the sound; almost sounds like it's coming from the dash, and it's intermittent (not pulsing or at regular intervals)... maybe a tiny pop every 1-3 seconds or so. To give you an idea of the loudness... I can't hear it with the radio on, but can easily hear it with the radio off. Any ideas what might be going on?!
I would say that I tend to notice a few more cracks and pops when it's cold outside. By cold here in Chicagoland, I'm talking about temps lower than 20ºF during the morning commute. Since Priapus sits outside over night, I expect that plastic bits and what-not get cold. I don't worry about it. Two years and so far no problems.
Somebody's popping corn in the glove box?? Actually, I think there have been a couple of reports of a noisy steering column, some plastic inside popping when the steering wheel is turned. Not serious, just annoying, particularly in a new car. Take it to the dealer if it's driving you nuts.
Could it be the little ticks things make as they change temperature? Is the cabin still heating up as you hit the freeway?
Might try pressing on the small trim panels under the tiny windows forward of the mirrors. Mine were rattling. Could alos be the A-pillar trim.
Hey, everyone, thanks for the responses. 'tis not the steering wheel; it continues to sound like mini-popcorns-popping even when I'm heading straight. I'll see if I hear it again tomorrow morning on the way to work, and if this persists as things get warmer here, I'll take it in to be looked at.
You may also want to try tapping your rearview mirror (if you have the auto dimming mirror)...I've had a problem with a rattle in my mirror for several months (initially thought the sound was coming from the dash or glove box).
I noticed that this thread was started about a year ago. Hopefully 'alasnik' was able to figure out where the popping is coming from.
