DJT

I've been trying to figure this one out since I've owned the car. Nothing seems loose in the engine bay (under the hood) near the firewall. Similarly, nothing loose in the stereo compartment (just upgraded - same problem). Can't notice anything under the steering wheel, etc..

Attached is a link to a video of a pachinko machine. The rattle in my dash sounds somewhat like the sound the balls make when bouncing down the metal pegs. Image, however, that it's just one ball bouncing down at a time vs the several balls that you see in the video. That's as close as I can explain it though. That's as close as I can explain it though.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMmm61D3P00 [/media]

The rattle sound occurs over small bumps and even sometimes when I turn the ignition off. The rattles only last a second (or less) each time. I'm at a total loss to figure this out. So I'm guessing and hope someone can chime in:

Bad shock(s)?
Failing Engine mount?
Something else loose?

I love working on my car, upgrading, etc... But this rattle is becoming kind of a bummer.

Thanks,

DT

barrett4bama

dude holy crap, i was just about to make my own thread about a similar sound like under the steering wheel but i couldnt figure out what to compare the sound to. Anyways mine lasts from half a second to 5 seconds long. To me it sounds like keys rattling but i dont have any extra keys jinglin down there.

DJT

Ever find out what it was?

gruffydd3

I had a rattle that I was sure was coming from the left side of the dash. I tried for several weeks to find it. Finally, I located it and it wasn't in the dash at all. The rattle came from the left side convertible top clamp. Whenever it starts now, I release and then reclamp it. This usually stops the noise for a couple weeks or so.

DJT

I don't think that's my problem. I keep my clamps closed w/ a velcro wraparound.