Crackling Sound @ Lower-Side Driver Dash

This is a strange one. I took my 2007 Tacoma TRD with access cab into the dealer after a rear-end collision made my SRS Warning Light come on and never go off. The resolved the issue by basically checking, then resetting the system.

Since getting the truck back, I get an intermittent (sometimes more frequent than others) crackling sound from the drivers side lower portion of the dashboard, somewhere around the tire pressure reset button, emergency brake, etc, section of the vehicle. Sometimes it seems to happen when applying the break and/or accelerator. I don't know if it's the slowing down/speeding up motion or the physical aspects of doing each. It doesn't make sense to me.

Like I said, it sounds like paper or plastic crackling or something along those lines. I'm trying to figure out, what under the dash work, the tech would have done in this area to troubleshoot the SRS system. From what I gathered, he only would have been touching the computer jack to plug in the diagnostics computer. To my surprise, I did notice that my break controller was disconnected (the connector from the controller to the harness on the truck) for some reason. I can't believe it was done by the force of the accident, so I'm wondering if the tech did this and if so, why he'd do that as part of troubleshooting the system.

I'm fearful of what else he may have done. Any suggestions as to what could be causing the noise?

 

Anyone?

 

Is there anything in this area of underneath the dash that's going to move based on forward or reverse motion? I ask this because it seems first time in the morning, when I accelerate or deaccelerate is when I'm hearing the noise the most. It almost sounds like that electrical conduit rubbing up against something else or moving or shifting.

 

I'm going by memeory, which could be scary ...
Didn't you mention in you first thread, something about them replacing the airbag, or sensors related to it? Maybe they were working in the steering column? Is it possible the noise is from steering wheel movement?
Sorry, not much help; just a thought, though.

 

Thanks for the reply. I had thought of that too, but quickly eliminated that. It definitely is not following the tracking of and when I use the steering wheel.

 

Thx. It's nothing steering related from what I can tell.

 

I had a similar noise that went away when I changed shocks. Is your truck lifted? Might try lowering your tire pressure and going for a drive to see if it's related. Just a shot in the dark

 

No, not lifted or shock related. Definitely something from the lower dash on drivers side, by e-brake or around there.

 

Does it sound like a candy wrapper being crumpled? Could be the clock spring in your steering column for the airbag binding and then uncoiling.

 

Sort of, yes. Wouldn't the sound only occur if/when turning the steering wheel if that was the cause?

 

If it doesn't happen at all when turning the wheel to the stops then that's probably not it. Check all the wire bundles, they may have cut a zip tie and wires are now contacting the pedal mechanism.

 

Exactly my thoughts as well. Been trying to do that, but it's difficult for me to get up in there. I've been mostly reaching up there with my hand to see if I can replicate the noise, then go from there.

The fact that my brake controller plug was detached makes me suspicious of exactly what you're mentioning. I know the impact of the hit would not have dislodged that connector and it's in that general area thereabouts, that I hear the noise.