I love my new GLE, but this slight rattle or gingling coming from the radio or climate control area is driving me nuts. It's intermittent, which means if I take it to the dealer they will say that there's no such rattle. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

ask timw =)
he can help i think

 

I haven't had the "jingle" noise, but we should first check the obvious (sorry if you have, but we'll need to be sync'd up)

1 - you don't have any coins or something in the glovebox, change holder, center console storage area or ashtry.

2 - a few of us have had the dreaded A-pillar rattle/buzz/creak/squeak. You're describing a jingle, but your dash pieces may be rubbing against the front pillars. If this is it, the fix is easy.

3 - my seatbelt buckles sometimes make a jingle or metallic sound when all conditions are right. Check your passenger buckles (the front passenger buckle likes to hit against the B-pillar on my car)

4 - Cassette tapes sometimes make noise if they are partially inserted into the deck.

5 - When the rattle happens, can you make it stop by pressing against the area? Try having your spouse/friend drive on a rough road while you sit in the front passenger seat and see if yu can first narrow down the area, then try to make the noise stop by pressing on the area.

6 - The cheap, flimsy armrest part of the center console is pretty noisy if it isn't clicked into a locked position.

 

Following your advice, I took a spin during lunch and found that if I press against the upper right side of the radio plate (over the disk logo) the jingle stops. Is there a quick fix or should I go to the dealer?

 

If this is really above the radio area, I don't know of a quick fix. Most of us that had dash noises fixed them by inserting foam/rubber/gasket material all along the gap between the dashboard and the plastic front pillar piece.

There is also a factory TSB on this.

Your noise doesn't sound as if it could be fixed in the same manner - especially since you're also hearing a jingle. My guess is that it's probably a simple fix once you get the dash apart, which is beyond many people's skill/comfort level, but then the dealer might have your car for a lot longer than it'll take to fix it.

I think I would be afraid of making the dashboard noisier, but let's hear from Tim and some others here that have actually pulled apart the dash.

 

actually the who freakin car does I have a bunch of noises coming from the right side of the car(I assume that some of it is from the A Pillar) and a rattle from my radio that I think is coming from right around the **** area. Dealer has had the car twice, 1st time he said he couldnt hear any rattles due to a rainstorm..ok...2nd time he said they are fixed. He said he put a piece of foam around the glove box area and also behind the radio. I think I got flat out lied to as the rattles are worse than ever.

Last Sunday I got the GM of the dealerships ear on how unsatisfied I am with their service depts efforts and my Max in general from the rattles to the needing of both engine mounts replaced to the TCM issue. He seemed concerned and said he would talk to the Service Manager in the a.m.

Well I havent heard anything from him yet and when I called today I was told he was off....hmmm...

Geez...I hope I don't **** the techs off to bad...I don't want to pick up my car and find out they peed in the trunk

 

Just to put closure to this, I went to the dealer today and they ordered a new radio for me under warranty which should be in tomorrow. They said they cannot take apart the current radio to get to the face plate. I just hope the problem isn't common to all such radios!

 

All,
Have had some similar squeeks/rattles/annoyances with my 2KMax. Can you fill me on on the TSB regarding the A-pillar squeek fix?

I also notice that the various dash squeeks are worse when the dash is heated by the sun. A quick fix that seems to work well, especially for creeks around the radio and around the clock area: Get some silicone based lubricant (note silicone based - one that's safe on plastic - NOT WD-40!!) Use the little staw tube that comes with the stuff and spray between the cracks where one surface meets another. Silicone lube is not conductive so don't worry about your electronics. I've used this trick on every car I've owned that starts squeeking and creeking in this way. It fixed the Max noises for now anyway. Hope that helps...

-Bob

 

Hey bob - how did you convince them to fix the rattle in the radio? I have the same problems with sqeaks from my A pillar and radio, similar to what you described. I'll need to get my dealer to make the same replacements. Are there TSBs for the fix? Thanks - Robin (boy wonder)

 

I have the exact same creaking/plastic rubbing sound (that's what I would describe the sound as) in the same area. It was fine before they replaced my TCM, but now it makes the creaking sound intermittently. If I press the plastic under the stereo buttons, it stops. I was hoping it would make the sound constantly so I can take it back the the dealership, but it doesn't.

Anyone know what may be rubbing there?
Or where is the TCM located and what do they need to do to replace it?

 

I remember awhile ago that you said that the A Pillar noise has returned even with the foam in place...have you been able to fix this? I put some regular yellow foam in a few weeks ago but it has not helped....first off all I dont think I put the foam far enough back towards the windshield and secondly what size and brand of weather strip are you using? I think you said 1/8 and Frost King but I'll be danged if I can find it. HOw do you get the stripping up to the windshield..seems like it is way too tight up there.

As for the other rattles, I still have a few little noises around the radio but nothing like it was before....the area around where the windshield meets the dash on cold mornings really ticks and I get a nice rattle from the glovebox which the dealer blamed on the lock and said tough beans, we can't fix that...Ok so I take the lock out of the glovebox, the cylinder out and the sleeve apart...after all the tumblers and springs fell out and I had to put it all together again(I think I got real lucky as lock works fine) and installed scotch tape to keep things quiet, I reassmembled the whole whole latch and took a ride...'Rattle, rattle" So much for the rattling lock theory...it is something else. That cylinder is tight as...well fill in the blank Rear deck also makes a bit of noise..pretty sure it is the middle seat belt holder under the deck...

Maximas are noisy cars although my folks 95 Max doesnt seem to make as much racket and my SE...although the cabin is much quieter in my car so that could be a factor also....

And my mounts........naw...wont go there

 

Because I was able to demonstrate that the rattle was coming from the radio face plate (hitting the steering wheel lightly produced the rattle every time, unless I put pressure on the face plate), the dealer just replaced the radio under warranty. It did take two weeks to get the new radio in. The new radio has no rattle and my Maxima is quiet again.

Bob

 

I just noticed a rattle coming from the front dash a few days ago... (never was there before, I swear)..


It appears to be coming from behind the radio..

Fear taking it to the dealer, because they definitely would NOT be able to replicate the problem (it's intermittent too!!)..

 

Hi Gang,

Touch wood (well plastic then), but my rattles have 'now' been eliminated. I first shoved some foam in the crack between the A pillar and the dash - closer to the passenger seat. The rattles did not stop...

I then isolated the rattle to the passenger side A pillar itself, which if you push it inwards (towards the window), will bend slightly. I then took more of the inch wide weather stripping (sticky back) and pushed it into the dash crack paralell to the A pillar. I was able to fit about 2-3 strips of the dark grey foam into that crack, using a dull butter knife and spatula. It seems that foam acts as a buffer between the dash and A pillar cover (which is very pliable and seems to be the source of the rattle.

The foam remains hidden, out of view of the passengers, and I've eliminated the rattle.

I hope that helps everyone (but the radio and glove comp. people,