Dashboard squeaks & rattles

[cds22]

I've had my Vibe AWD for 4 months and have had a number of sqeakes and rattles in the dashboard since about two! The worst one comes from the silver trim around the guages. It squeaks so loud I can't drown it out with the radio. The dealer tried lubricating under the trim but that didn't help at all. Next they are going to try replacing it. They have already replaced another piece in one of the air vents that was rattling. Has anyone else had these kinds of problems? It's my only complaint with the Vibe, otherwise I love it. However, my last car (a Honda Accord) had 140,000km over 7 years and never had a single squeak! Am I expecting too much?

[cds22]

Thanks, that helps a lot! I'll try it out. I did look for previous posts but I guess this one was archived so I couldn't see it. I'll pass the info along to my dealer as well.... they seem to think I'm the only one who has this problem and apparently hadn't heard about it before.

[Vibe Rater]

And no, you're not expecting too much. A quality car should be squeak and rattle free.

[Stands Alone]

I read over the post by N Simkins, very informative. I pulled my bezzle off, easier than I thought it would be. Just started pulling and working it back and forth and so on. It comes free, and in my case, rocks forward like it was hinged from the bottom. I think it was Salsa that mentioned "plastic on plastic" and the squeaks that it can cause. When you flip over the bezzle, you will notice a number of tabs. Yes, they're plastic all right. I got out the black electricians tape and went to work. There are several "white" tabs (3 I think). I made one wrap around each. And the two tabs at the bottom of the bezzle too. Reinstall. Watch out for the trip odometer reset button. I just slid that sucker right in there,...and guess what ? No more squeaks ! I'm sure there are other fixes out there that work as well or even better. This worked for me. Good Luck !

[MYKIDSGT]

I have had this same problem since day #1 back in July.So it comes out with some gentle pulling. I will have to try that and see if the electrical tape helps me out.This would be great, kinda geting tired of the squeaks.-Marcos-

[mkl116]

My driver side air vent (to left of steering wheel is hiding a rattle). Do you know how to fix this?

[PhantomII]

I have had the same squeak around the guages and the 'ol foam in between plastic seems to cure the problem.My new rattles are coming from the front doors when the stereo is on. No, I do not have it cranked up too loud! I noticed it when the weather here in MN got colder. anyone else with this problem/suggesstions?

[MJN2]

Check the little chrome trim pieces on the doors. The passenger side door on my Vibe is vibrating when the stereo is going as well, and for giggles I pressed on that chrome piece, and the vibration went away.It's on my gripe list when I take my car in to the dealer next week, along with a leaking glass hatch strut, a vibration in the dash up near the windshield, and a rather nerve-racking loud boom coming from the right-front when I hit a pothole or frost expansion joint. The joys of owning a first-year model car Should have learned after my last car lol. A lot of the same little stuff.

[PhantomII]

Thanks, I also have a little rattle coming from the front of the dash. It sounds as if it's coming from inside the defroster vent. One of these days I'll have to fix it myself. I've found that dealerships are worthless for fixing rattles and squeaks. They either can't reproduce the problem or create another in the process.I think the engineers put squeaks and rattles in the designs on purpose to try and vent fustration. I had a 1996 Chev blazer then bough another in 2000. They both had squeaks and rattles develop in all the same places.

[cds22]

Well I tried the electric tape on the bezzel and that fixed that squeak. Unfortunately I've developed a few more rattles in the dash now. Not nearly as bad but still somewhat annoying! This small noises are the only thing I don't like about my Vibe, otherwise it's fantastic!Everyone please keep posting the solutions you find... seem to be lots of us with the same problem!

[robodog61]

I recommend you take your squeaking dashboard to the dealer. There is a service bulletin for this and they will fix it, they fixed mine. Also, less worry because they would be responsible if they broke something. Let them break it and not you in your garage. They fix for the gauge squeak worked quite well, no problems.

[OlDood]

quote:...There is a service bulletin for this ....What is the service bulletin #?Also: Isn't there a web page where one can access service bulletins?

[NSimkins]

quote:Also: Isn't there a web page where one can access service bulletins?This thread should suffice: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1545

[OlDood]

quote:...This thread should suffice: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1545Okay - my fault for not asking the question right. I did not mean NHTSA safety bulletins.Since I meant GM Service Bulletins, I should have asked: What is the General Motors Service Bulletin Number? and: "Isn't there a web site to check General Motors' Service Bulletins?

[Stands Alone]

My electrical tape solution worked for a few days,....but alas,...the the squeaks are back. I believe from the outer edges of the bezzel were it meets the rest of the dash. GM should have some kind of fix for this ?

[NSimkins]

quote:I did not mean NHTSA safety bulletins.NHTSA does not only have safety bulletins, but they do list Technical Service Bulletins on the site (as well as recalls, complaints, safety). Some of the other sites I have seen don't have as much information yet, except maybe a direct GM TSB data system.quote:I believe from the outer edges of the bezzel were it meets the rest of the dashI just noticed recently as it has been cold that more squeaks are coming from the gauge pods once again as you stated. I will be adding some more padding to certain areas and see if it goes away. I will post if I find anything conclusive.

[robodog61]

I am sorry for not replying. I recommend you take it to the dealer and have them do it. There is a service bulletin for it, I don't know the number. It is a kit but is essentially just padding. Let them do it, don't take the chance of breaking the plastic.

[NSimkins]

quote:There is a service bulletin for it, I don't know the number.This should be enough information for the dealer to lookup the bulletin:#PI00290 Rattle or Squeak in Instrument Cluster Trim Bezel Area - (07/26/2002)