Rattle from Passenger Side Dash / Glovebox - Fixed!

Greytop

Leon FR-TDI 170
Sep 19, 2006
235
0
Reading, Berkshire
Took a test drive with the dealer/garage, we hit 70mph and there was a rattle/buzz that all 3 of us in the car could hear.

Dealer said he has another car with a similar problem and will investigate with Seat HQ and if he can fix it he will call me in a week, to get my car in and fixed as well.

So got to wait a bit and see :whistle:

Xe good (or bad) not sure which is the best to say, at least they all witnessed the rattle/buzz. This appears to be a more and more common fault / problem, I'm sure there are more lurkers with the same issue.
Thanks for the update and keep us posted on the progress with Seat HQ. BTW where abouts are you i.e. which Seat main dealer?

Cheers :)
 

MartH

Full Member
Jul 18, 2006
127
0
Cullompton, Devon
Hi guys, my car has a rattle from behind stereo / glovebox and its there from tickover. Took the glove box out but you cant get to any thing, did manage to get airbag warning light on though by starting engine with airbay switch disconnected.. Doh. Booked car in for service so will see what they say...
 

Xe

Guest
Yes got a call on Friday afternoon, and got me to check the black plastic box lid, that is attached to the large tube coming from the front panel on the right.

He said that I needed to push it down and to the front of the car. I said its pretty firm already. But that was the cause of the rattle on the other car. So they suggested I take the car down any time and they will have a another look at it.

I don't see how something from the front of the car could be causing a rattle that sounds like its coming from inside the dash, but you never know :/
 

Greytop

Leon FR-TDI 170
Sep 19, 2006
235
0
Reading, Berkshire
Yes got a call on Friday afternoon, and got me to check the black plastic box lid, that is attached to the large tube coming from the front panel on the right.

He said that I needed to push it down and to the front of the car. I said its pretty firm already. But that was the cause of the rattle on the other car. So they suggested I take the car down any time and they will have a another look at it.

I don't see how something from the front of the car could be causing a rattle that sounds like its coming from inside the dash, but you never know :/

Hi Xe,

This does sound plausible to me because I believe it down to wind resistance / speed of the car rather than any kind of vibration.
However I'm a bit confused about which components you are referring to. Any chance of posting a pic with some arrows?? Also I can't remember... is your Leon a TDI FR?
Cheers for the feedback :D
 

Carnivor

Full Member
Jul 7, 2006
244
0
In my LeonFR 2.0 TDI
sounds like they're on about the fuse box lid in the engine bay, not sure if that will cure my rattle tho, my rattle sounds like its in the cockpit not in the engine bay
 

Xe

Guest
Ok I took a quick picture seconds before my camera battery died on me. I only spoke to the Seat guy on the phone, so my guess as to what he ment is as good as yours, but I think he was talking about this:



Its a Leon Stylance 1.9 TDi :)

But I don't think this is where the noise is coming from, as its rock solid (the lid), and its too far away. What do you guys think?
 

Greytop

Leon FR-TDI 170
Sep 19, 2006
235
0
Reading, Berkshire
Xe thanks for the pic. Also I agree, I don't think it would be from something so far foward in the engine bay if anything it would be much closer the the bulkhead. Seems as always these dealers are grasping at straws.
 
Last edited:

Xe

Guest
I think this rattle could be down to wind resistance / speed of the car, as Greytop has suggested. As today was extra windy, and I was getting the rattle at low speeds of 60mph.

Anyone got a wind tunnel to test on? or maybe they could stick the car on some rollers ;)
 

Greytop

Leon FR-TDI 170
Sep 19, 2006
235
0
Reading, Berkshire
Agreed XE, this is my experience. On some occasions the rattle / buzz doesn't start to in excess of 90 (on a private air strip of course :whistle: ). I noticed this last week when the wind was from the rear and a light breeze at that. So I think it has to be either something lose, quite close to or on bulkhead (passenger side) or air being forced into the passenger area of the glovebox somehow, perhaps fresh air intake ducting?? Who knows. One things for sure its b****y annoying [:@]
 

hoooverman

Guest
I get a rattling noice, not too loud, but annoying which seems to be coming from glove box. (2.0 TDI Stylance) Interesting you say which speed, can any of you get it in 6th gear but at a low speed i.e. 30mph, which is where i can get mine, so it's just ticking over but with some acceleration which makes it groan a little... I know this isn't the best way to drive, but i am able to demonstrate the noise this way. It is also apparent at higher speeds but sounds more dependant on the acceleration grunt rather than outside weather...
 

MartH

Full Member
Jul 18, 2006
127
0
Cullompton, Devon
Hooverman your rattle sounds the same as mine, think it is different to the speed related one. Mine is going in on monday for service and to have a look at rattle. Will let you know how i get on.
 

Xe

Guest
Called the Seat dealer again today, and he is still chasing up Seat HQ for an answer/solution. If he has no answer soon, he will be taking my car in next week for a thorough check.

The part that I circled in the photo above, was replaced on another Leon with the same rattle, and has totally removed the rattle from that car. Currently that part is strapped down with tape in my car (by my Seat dealer for testing purposes), but it has had zero effect of reducing the rattle.

Will update when I have more news/info ;)
 

woodyTDI

Active Member
Jan 29, 2007
191
0
Essex
I have the same rattle. My car goes into the dealer on monday, they are going to have a look over it. I will post on here with what they find.
 

Monkeyhanger

Guest
Having only had my motor for 10 days or so I'm getting a 'buzzing' from a similar area. I get it on hardish acceleration and on rough road surfaces. Also a hint of something from behind the stereo. Most annoying!
 

hoooverman

Guest
I have identified my rattle (you can all try it on your ways home tonight!!!)

My rattle is the glove box, if i press it firmly it stops. So i'm not sure if it's the catch or which bit, but at least i think i have narrowed it down!!!

Keep us posted those who are going today, and hope you see this in time incase it's the same...
 

MartH

Full Member
Jul 18, 2006
127
0
Cullompton, Devon
Yippee! car went in for service and rattle fixed. Mine was a loose clip on the clutch cable in the engine bay. 15 mile drive home no rattles, thank you SMC Exeter.
 

hoooverman

Guest
MartH

Can we do something ourselves to fix this? My preferred dealer is over an hour away... :-( Can't justify a trip until service...

How old is your car (to warrant having a service - or was it just to have this problem serviced?)
 

MartH

Full Member
Jul 18, 2006
127
0
Cullompton, Devon
Car's 4 months old, serivce done at 9400 miles. Had been waiting for service to get car in. Honestly didnt think they would fix it especially after 1st attempt. Had previously looked at the problem myself, thought it was coming from behind dash so took out glove box, but you cant get to anythink from there. They said it was the clip holding the clutch cable had come loose and they just refixed it. Drove 15 miles home and no rattle at all, so definately fixed.:D
 
Progressive Parts, performance parts and tuning specialists