One little rattle

[Bailes1992]

My Mondeo has had one little rattle in the dash for the last 12 months that nobody can trace.
It comes from what sounds like behind the instruments cluster. I thought it was the cluster so I removed it and took the car for a drive and the rattle was still there.
It only happens if you let go of the throttle at exactly 2500rpm and rattles till the revs drop below 2250rpm or you put your foot back on the throttle. It sounds like a phone vibrating behind the dash.

And if I can't sort sort it soon I'm going to have to get rid.

[mjb]

spray packaging foam

on the plus side it's easy and will stop the rattling

on the negative side, your ventilation might break, you might have trouble steering and the electronic bits might overheat and/or catch fire

[Bailes1992]

I have been very very close to piercing a can of expanding foam and launching it behind the dash like a makeshift granande.

Drives me utterly wild, mainly because I usually change up about 2,500rpm so every time you change gear there is a muted buzz from behind the dash.

It's a shame because it's an absolutely cracking car!

[mjb]

can you replicate it in a stationary car? if not, does it only happen in gear? if so, it must be when the engine is being pulled by the drivetrain. Got access to an enclosed environment where you can try it with the windows and bonnet open? I'm thinking it could actually be in the engine bay. Heh, might be the bonnet itself

[steve_earwig]

It only does this while decelerating on the road? You can't reproduce it stationary?

The yoyo's vibrating at 1,900rpm like a Lancaster approaching take off speed. Fortunately I can only hear it when the wife's in the car, when she isn't the stereo drowns it out

Edit: Jinx!

[steve_earwig]

Does he like his rattle?

Yes he does!

The devil made me do it

[scotty73]

No he don't like his rattle.... This is easily noticeable by him throwing that and his dummy out of his pram.... I'm telling you now there's someone in his local nuthouse eating his dinner they put the wrong kid in a straight jacket methinks.

[steve_earwig]

I mustard mitt any rattles in the Pug drive me nuts, when I drove it to the UK a few years back I put up with the rattle coming from the passenger seat because I was replacing them. I was really miffed when the new seat rattled just the same. And it wasn't t' wife, before anyone suggests it.

The yoyo, on the other hand, is a mass of rattles. The whole thing is one bit rattly buzzy piece of do-do. Except when bits fall off, then they stop rattling.

[scotty73]

I never have problems like that, in my car it's either the mrs talking or my kids singing phantom of the opera...And when I'm in the car alone i just turn the radio up.

[dirtydirtydiesel]

Stick on some Metallica dude & turn it up to 11

[Welly]

I guess you might be able to get some sponge and use it as a 'packer' behind anything you think might be loose? although I know what it's like getting access up behind a modern dash I hate rattles too and they can be a twat to locate (I've got one behind the steering wheel centre boss).

One thing you may not be thinking about is why the rattle is being caused - maybe your engine mounts or your eggsauce rubbers stuff like that may be causing a more general slight vibration which shows itself as this 'rattle'.

Don't think you've got to get rid of it, you've done too much stuff to make it nice already. I was surprised the other day to see a 57 plate Mondeo for sale at £2,850.00 although I suppose they oldest 'new' models are 7 years old now.

[Captain Jack]

Mondigos are still fetching a hefty premium, which is annoying. The price was really off-putting and was ultimately the decider in getting the 407 instead (which is still lovely, thanks).

[Welly]

The old Mondeo's used to depreciate very quick but these 'ere new ones must be held in high regard. I was just a bit surprised I saw one or two below the £3K mark.

Funny thing is there's a bit of a trend developing for 'new' cars as they approach 7 or 8 years old they're still expensive and with star ship mileages.

[Captain Jack]

While reliability remains very questionable.

I think cars of late 90's and early 2000's are the most reliable ones... or seem to be from my experience. It's all these new gizmos no-one needs that they started putting in.

[Welly]

You are right, on the Volvo Forum it is well know that THE BEST Volvo's were made between 1996 and 2000 - they are simply better made with better quality materials and made to last. New cars are made from cheap crap and stuffed full of complicated toys and driver aids and certainly aren't destined for long-service.

I was a bit bothered about some of the stuff in my 2005 volvo with it seeming a bit complex compared to my 406 but now it's reassuringly simple compared to new cars.