Center console rattling while driving

[BlackenedSVT]

So is this a problem for anyone else...?

I was driving on the high way around 75mph in 5th gear, and i would find the center console (a/c vents) would rattle. I'm guessing my damn exhaust shook it loose in my car. Damn SLP Anyway, if i put my hand over both central AC vents, the rattling stops, and when i let go, it continues again.

So i clearly narrowed the rattling down to the central A/C vents. Anyone know how to fix it? It doesn't do it in all the gears, just seems to do it while im cruising...and its VERY annoying...

 

[reeber]

did you pull anthing apart yet? There could be something actually in your vent... Or, behind it... I would pull everything apart and take a look...

 

[blacknblue2002]

I have a similar noise...sounds like it comes from the a/c vents at high speeds...easy to hear in fifth when the exhaust isn't so loud...I've got no clue what it is though...I just live with it for now

 

[Stangdriver1119]

I have a sound coming from there as well...sounds like a metal plate rattling. Thought it was the heat shield from my cats but those are on tight so I dunno

I will be taking it apart sometime soon so I'll post back if I find anything.

 

[BennyBlown2v]

It's most likely the little metal clips that hold the trim peice on. Mine does it, worse when its cold and everything is all contracted. I figure puting a few dabs of silicone on the clips couldn't hurt, would keep them from vibrating so much, dampen the vibration, and it would be easily removable!

 

[sgarlic]

There's a TSB out for those center a/c vents rattling. Since you're probably not under warranty anymore, you could just buy the new parts yourself from Randy@MD, or your local parts counter if you prefer to pay more.

 

[BlackenedSVT]

SGARLIC, know what parts are involved in the TSB?
Yeah my car isn't under warranty.


I love how like 6+ of us have the same problem yet no one posted the problem on here yet. We're all like: "ah well, its a mustang, it rattles"

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Its a Mustang, rattles are a fact of life. Try owning a vert, talk about rattles...

 

[helty]

I noticed the exact same thing friday, its annoying as hell. if anyone can post part #'s for the TSB I'll give you a thumbs up smiley.

 

[BlackenedSVT]

Hmm we all have 02 GTs and all recently discovered the same rattle.....hmmm

 

[merc123]

My 03 does it. I never noticed it before my warranty ran out because I usually drive with the radio on or the windows down. Then my g/f and I had a "serious conversation" and the rattling distracted me so I didnt hear a word she said.

 

[exindust]

Its a Mustang, rattles are a fact of life. Try owning a vert, talk about rattles...

:Word:

 

[40oz]

Its a Mustang, rattles are a fact of life. Try owning a vert, talk about rattles...

I would respectfully disagree with this statement, at least in a coupe. My 99 GT didn't have a single rattle, up to ~70K, and my 03 has none as well (but it only has ~14K on it ) I think pretty much ALL verts have rattles of some sort as they age. I don't believe it is restricted to Mustangs at all. Perhaps if you spring for a high-end Mercedes vert, it won't, but I can't say I've met that many owners of such, so I don't know.

In my 99 coupe, I found every rattle I heard could be traced to the crap I kept in the car. I removed anything that might rattle, and didn't keep my screwdriver in the same pocket as my air gauge, for instance, or put one of them inside a map to keep it from rattling.

 

[thomas91169]

1. go to a fabric store
2. purchase a few sq ft of felt(any color, unless youre gay)
3. cut out a bunch of 1"x1" squares.
4. wrap the squares around the clip, or stick the squares over the hole about to get stabbed by clip.
5. when clip enters hole, its sealed by felt all around for a tight but insulated fit.
6. no more squeaky dash.

dodge uses bits of felt in all of their dashboards, which is where i got this idea. i did it in my 97 eclipse and it worked great. sometimes, you have to use felt pieces hot glued between parts where plastic and plastic meet in the dash and rub.

 

[merc123]

My old 89 mustang used felt too. I didn't think about that.

 

[USMC03GT]

For your info:

TSB 04-5-3
• NOISE—CLIMATE CONTROL—RATTLE NOISE
FROM INSTRUMENT PANEL VENTS—DIFFICULT TO
ADJUST
FORD: 2001-2004 MUSTANG
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME ISSUE
040503A Replace Barrel Vent 0.3 Hr. Some 2001-2004 Mustang vehicles may exhibit
(Includes Time To Replace climate control panel vents (barrel vent) with vanes
One Or All Vents) that are difficult to adjust, and/or may make a
DEALER CODING rattling type noise. This may be due to detachment
CONDITION of the air vanes from the pilot holes in the vent
BASIC PART NO. CODE housing.
19893 42
ACTION
To service, install revised vent (3R3Z-19893-AB).
The barrel vents are now sold and serviced
separately. Refer to the Service Procedure below.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Order replacement vent (3R3Z-19893-AB), one
(1) for each vent requiring replacement.
2. Remove the vent by prying it away with a flat
screwdriver (Figure 1).
3. Install the revised vent by pressing the new
vent into place (Figure 2).
4. Repeat Steps 1-3 as needed.
PART NUMBER PART NAME
3R3Z-19893-AB Vent Louvre Assembly
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of
New Vehicle Limited
Figure 1 - Article 04-5-3 Warranty Coverage
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do
the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper
vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers”. Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a
Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation
determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article.The information in this Technical Service Bulletin
(TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates.The most recent information is
available through Ford Motor Company’s on-line technical resources.
Copyright ã 2004 Ford Motor Company PAGE 1
Article No. 04-5-3 Cont’d.
Figure 2 - Article 04-5-3
PAGE 2

 

[BlackenedSVT]

1. go to a fabric store
2. purchase a few sq ft of felt(any color, unless youre gay)
3. cut out a bunch of 1"x1" squares.
4. wrap the squares around the clip, or stick the squares over the hole about to get stabbed by clip.
5. when clip enters hole, its sealed by felt all around for a tight but insulated fit.
6. no more squeaky dash.

dodge uses bits of felt in all of their dashboards, which is where i got this idea. i did it in my 97 eclipse and it worked great. sometimes, you have to use felt pieces hot glued between parts where plastic and plastic meet in the dash and rub.

USMC03GT, thanks for the TSB information, but i think im going to try this (above) 1st. Thanks Thomas

 

[wht03GT]

Dynamat also works wonders. After I got my exhaust I heard rattles everywhere. Dynamat'd under everything, especially the console. Havnt heard a vibration since.

 

[BlackenedSVT]

Dynamat??

 

[timeless2]

Hmm we all have 02 GTs and all recently discovered the same rattle.....hmmm

It's common on many instances of the SN95 platform.