Insidious rattle above left ear! - losing battle - HELP!!

[WC96LC]

No, it's not life or death, and I have searched the site.

Just wondering if anyone has solved the mystery of the rattle (clicking) sound above the driver's left ear?

I've partially removed the headliner on that side,

I've removed the little plastic clip that holds a wire harness, I've secured any loose wire with duct tape, tightened any bolts I can see, driven with my hand holding ANYTHING that that could conceivably be loose, and STILL the noise persists.

It appears to becoming from the immediate vicinity of the sunroof mount closest to the B-pillar (above seat belt mount).

Before I reluctantly admit defeat , and before I button the whole works up,

ANYONE have ANY other ideas?!? Am I left with the radio remedy?

Thanks for any responses, especially immediate ones!

-D.

 

[Cruiser804]

I don't have that one but I have on that seems to becoming from behind the ignition switch, sounds like a like something clicking on and off. Oh and something rolling back and forth in the PS door or someplace.

I have looked and looked, but really have given up. Good luck.

 

[Firedog]

WAG..... is the luggage rack good and tight?

 

[WC96LC]

I removed the roof rack, and got all the nutserts - so it's not that.

I know that two pieces of material i.e. metal, plastic etc. rubbing together can produce a rattle type sound, and this is the the only explanation I have at this point - probably something I won't be able to reproduce or identify.

I suppose I'm just going to have to live with this one. The vehicles aren't exactly NEW anymore, so this kind of thing is to be expected I guess.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Ebag333]

Have someone else drive while you crawl all over the place isolating the sound. Only real way as it could be about a hundred different things.

 

[WC96LC]

Thanks for the suggestion. I had to reassemble everything for my commute tomorrow, so I will have to try again at some later date - when the rattle begins to get to me again, I suppose.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Once you conclude it's behind the headliner for sure, consider injecting a squirt of expanding spray insulation foam in the area. Be mindful to get the type that does not expand hugely - there's a type that expands something like 25%. Make an unobtrusive slit, jab the red plastic straw it comes with through the slit and fire a bit in. It will put everything under a bit of pressure in case it's simply loose trim, prevent wires from rattling, etc. It's easily removable, cleans up with water in case you go nuts with it and costs about $5. I've done this on previous vehicles for similar things.

One can's got plenty in it, so after you cut the slit but before you inject, play with filling a couple small things with it so you get a feel. After 30 seconds, it stops expanding so you'll quickly see why I suggest it. The super expanding stuff is NOT what you want and can do damage. This stuff is easy to use and removable if you ever had to get in there later.

I suspect it's the wiring harness up there. I had a previous 80 with that sound and it was the wires, but it was a pre 95 and I could feel them through the fabric (different from yours) headliner and bent them.

DougM

 

[WC96LC]

Doug,

Thanks for your suggestion. I might just try this. I'll probably pull the liner again on that side to expose the area I have isolated as the source and be real accurate about where I'm shooting.

The foam will have the added advantage of getting into areas I just can't see or reach. With any luck, it will finally go away.

They shouldn't bother me, but the 80 is such a tough and well-built rig that a rattle just seems out of character - more like what I'd expect out of a an old vw or something.

 

[4xoddic]

Try using a stethoscope the next time around . . . the human ears are superb pinpointers in conjunction with the eyes, not so honed in when they can't triangulate a noise which is more pronounced to one side or the other.

My neighbor was hearing a dreadful, sleep-breaking noise in his bedroom after cable TV was restrung to that point. I wondered WTF he was doing with a 6 ft length of steel pipe up to his head & other end against the siding? STETHOSCOPIN'

Know-It-All Cox serviceman inspected & told him there was no vibration in cable, no audible noise . . . .

Neighbor got the pipe back out, Cox wound up placing cable underground = No Charge the next day. Me, I was told it would be ~$100 & take a couple weeks to do mine since it wasn't wailing.

Want to be careful holding a length of steel pipe to your head at highway speeds.

A length of plastic tubing + plastic funnel on head end probably would serve the same purpose w/< damage to narrow down where the noise is coming from. Let Igor, your asst, while you check it out from the back seat.

Another possibility is to use a small pillow / foam & hold it over suspect areas. When noise changes, spot is located.

Don't be surprised if the sound is actually coming from the other side of the 80. Ever been in the US Capitol Bldg?

washingtonpost.com: Entertainment Guide: The Capitol is normally associated with lobbyists and legislating; but in fact, it's architectural awesomeness can inspire more sublime feelings. If you're a Hill staffer with an ID, perhaps you can sneak over when the tourists aren't around. To be really cool, use the echo effect in Statuary Hall to pop the question. Whisper "will you marry me?" from far across the room and watch her face as the sound bounces in her direction.




Good Luck!

 

[WC96LC]

4xoddic,

Thanks for another intriguing idea. I had thought about using an actual stethoscope, but if I can't get my hands on one, maybe I'll try your idea.

I could be way off, but I think I have a pretty good idea where it's coming from. The problem is I just don't see how anything else in this are could be making the noise. So maybe it really is coming from elsewhere!

I'll probably have to keep after it since I will probably allow this thing to keep bothering me! Some people just really hate rattles I guess.

Thanks again.

 

[bpenn1980]

I've got an intermittent rattle in that exact same spot, but I have a '94 and I think its wires like IDoug says. I hope so anyway!

 

[sdnative]

Seat belt tensioner? Mine makes some funky noises sometimes.

 

[jvazquez53]

My daughter's truck has a rattling sound that comes from the metal cover around the cat. She hit sidestep and the one of the steps attachments hit the cat. We only hear it with the window down.

 

[ToyotaDon]

Stethoscope

X2 on the sound travelling/echoing. Someone already mentioned the roof rack, check for other things on the outside also, molding, trim, etc.

 

[TOY350]

Make sure it is not the common sunroof rattle that has not been solved yet.

Rattle above drivers head and to the left rear. Can be heard with the sunroof closed, tilted up and open 1/4 way. If you open the sunroof 1/2 way or all the way the sound is gone. If this happens to be your exact scenario and you solve it, well then you would be a hero.

 

[alia176]

Would it be a loose piece of hardware that rolls forward and backward based on your accel or decel?

 

[BrotherRob]

Get your left ear checked
Seriously, check the sunroof mounting nuts. They've been known to come loose and rattle.

 

[4xoddic]

4xoddic,

Thanks for another intriguing idea.

I could be way off, but I think I have a pretty good idea where it's coming from. The problem is I just don't see how anything else in this are could be making the noise. So maybe it really is coming from elsewhere!

I'll probably have to keep after it since I will probably allow this thing to keep bothering me! Some people just really hate rattles I guess.

This joke has been played on me:
My insulin pump was replaced under warranty with one having newer software, which included a new sound for its warning beeper.

I was sitting at this computer the first time it went off. I was sure the beep was coming from the basement. I headed for the other end of the house, but stopped short in the dining room. AHA, it's the CO2 detector. Nope, the detector isn't plugged in where it was. It's in the living room. Why did the move it there? I search that room & then head for the basement. It was in THAT corner, no THAT corner, no it's coming from upstairs! All the way back through the house it sounded like it was up ahead of me in the computer's area. I sat back down at the computer & heard beeping in the basement. As I got up to repeat the search, I felt my pump vibrating in my T-shirt pocket (2nd step of alarm). DANG, I'd been chasing myself around the house for 15 min.! Ready to call to find out where she hid the CO2 detector (unplugged).

In this case, my life depends on a beep! :whoops:

Good Luck in YOUR search!

 

[matt49]

i dont know how relative but i had a clicking noise turns out it was the 3rd row mounting bracket loose

 

[psfpilot]

Do you have loose gutter trim? I had a strip that would rattle when the wind blowing over it caused it to vibrate.