Tapping Noise from Passenger Dash Speaker (SOLVED)

I bought it last January (when it was cold). Also, since the noise started, it's changed sometimes, but even the few 60-70 degree days we had, it never went away completely. It's got right around 8,000 miles on it now.

 

Hopefully, it'll magically disappear.

I did have a squeek –way back when– that was solved by pushing forward on the right pillar until it gave a loud click. (I found the solution on here somewhere.)

SB

 

I think I'm experiencing a different noise. My 2016 makes a loud noise like a percolator boiling or two metal pieces that aren't quite bolted together. It isn't steady like the videos people have posted, but seems to coincide with random events - starts and stops, bumps. I thought it might be something loose in the front passenger suspension, took it to the dealer and they said nope.

 

I thought I had another rattle in my truck today, it was my sunglasses in the overhead compartment.........................

 

I just found a thread that discusses that particular noise, with video - here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-end-clunking.469740/#post-14158430

 

I will assume this still hasn't been solved.........So my particular rattle is not related to the A pillar or the speaker cover (I think). I thought I was having that issue but my rattle is much louder than just a tick. I removed every cover I could think of.....front, sides, speaker, A pillar and then someone else drove it, while I listened and looked with all the panels off. It is still just as loud with all the panels off but I can not find the damn noise. Its definitely on the upper passenger side dash, I just cant locate it! Im about to drive it of a cliff!

 

I read recently where the tweeter bracket wasn’t tightened down adequately. Removing panels wouldn’t help that. Maybe give that a look?? Good luck.

 

Cant hurt to check it, Im at a loss right now......thanks

 

It has been solved. The slight clicking / tapping noise is from the oh shit handle column where it meets the front passenger speaker grill.

First solution is to take your palm and smack the pillar towards the windshield. It should move a little bit, and if you have the problem there should be a small white discoloration in the plastic, assuming your interior is dark gray / black. This worked for me and I have not had the problem again.

Other options are to put some felt or something between the 2 pieces so the noise stops. I can do pictures if needed, but this should explain it. Mine did not start till I swapped out the tweeters in the dash, and after I took of the a pillar. Probably did not re install it perfectly, but after smacking it back into place it was fine. If someone pulled hard on the oh shit handle I could see this potentially causing the problem also.

-RK

 

So today finally had a chance to pin point where the rattling is coming from I had a buddy putting pressure on all the areas around the tweeter turns out it's that blank circular dot on my dash? Is that where the auto headlight sensor would be?

 

Yes. If you are comfortable pulling the speaker cover (remove A-pillar first) then you can secure that blank plug from below very well with a couple tiny strips of gorilla tape and it’ll never be seen. Worked like a charm for me. You can probably do it from above without removing the speaker cover but it might not look as clean. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the reply man much appreciated! I definitely want to dig into it as I can only imagine the rattling will last longer and get worse as winter sets in are the pics in the above post the way you went about it?

 

After my last attempt to felt tape every possible place that joins another, like the light sensor where it clips in and redoing the sticky foam tape along the APillar and felt taped the Pillar tabs at the base. I also felt taped where the tweeter bolts down, put it all together and didn’t hear a thing all day. (I also kept the radio off). The next morning, it was a chilly one and half way to work and very much enjoying how quiet the ride was, I threw on some Boston AND THE DAM TICKING NOISE CAME BACK IN FULL GLORY!!?
I got home that evening and pulled the tweeter and bought some 3/4” foam rope and stuffed 3 layers of it down where the windshield and dash meet and it’s been 3 days now and no ticking! I don’t have the tweeter there and don’t really miss it even with the radio on but it’s quiet.

 

A couple weeks ago when I had it in for service and complained about it. The tech mentioned hearing that noise on Tundras but in their case it is the windshield adhesive. Maybe it let’s go when it’s cold and becomes sticky when hot. It is temperature related when we hear the noise or not. ?? He also mentioned there is a clip that sits loose to help align the windshield that can be removed in a couple minutes as well and is top side under the head liner. I do need to replace my windshield soon

 

No problem. If you’ve confirmed that it is the plug rattling, it’s a simple fix. Pull the A-pillar cover first or you’ll break clips on the speaker cover. It’s really simple. Pop the 2 covers on the pillar cover to access and remove the pillar bolts. Once loose, wiggle the pillar panel free. It’s tucked into the weather stripping and your dash. Then carefully pry up the speaker cover from front to back. Start on the side closest to the passenger seat. Work toward the windshield. I used a skinny panel removal tool but a flat screw driver would work, too. Just work carefully. There are clips in the front and middle and guides nearest the windshield. Once out, you’ll see how the plug is secured from below. Secure it and reassemble. Be sure to get it all tucked back in the weather stripping. Note - There is a pillar air bag in there. You don’t need to touch it and I did not unplug the battery but you’ll have to make that call. Let me know if you have further questions.

Edit - If I remember correctly, at least one of the speaker cover guides had some felt tape on it where it inserts into the dash. It may be possible also that when you diagnosed the plug as the rattle by pushing on it you may also have been silencing a plastic guide or guides on the speaker cover. Just something to consider if the plug fix isn’t the answer.

 

So today, my 4th day of silence, I decided to install the tweeter but first I took it apart to see what could possibly make ticking noises. The back of the tweeter has a white plastic cap held on by tiny little plastic hooks. I carefully pushed back on these hooks and pried the cap off. There is some black adhesive poorly installed and lacking in quantity. Basically non of the adhesive was holding anything which left the plastic cap to vibrate ever so slightly causing the little plastic hooks, maybe just one, to vibrate and tic. I cleaned out the black crap and glued the sh#t out of it with PL Premium MAX, (24 hour cures hard) also put a drop of perminant locktite on the screw under the plastic cap and put it back together. In my case, the last time I installed the tweeter, it went back to ticking when I turned the music back on and continued even when off. So I’ve isolated the noise to either these little plastic hooks or it’s the windshield adhesive at that corner which I stuffed with 3/4” foam rope. I’ll give the glue on the tweeter cap a chance to cure hard for 24 hours before I turn on the radio. If the ticking doesn’t return, I will remove the foam rope from the space I stuffed it. Update you all later!

 

Fingers crossed. Good luck!

 

Took the long drive in to work this cold morning and cranked the tunes....ZERO ticking noise!

Now I pull the foam rope and drive around and see if there’s ticking from the windshield adhesive

 

This is a timely thread for me, the ticking in the original video just started up in my truck as the temps dipped into the 40's and it's driving me bonkers. On top of that I've got the tweeter upgrade on the way so I'll be doing surgery in that area soon. The product that I've had really good luck with for solving car rattles in various vehicles is sugru, it's a moldable silicone putty that adheres most surfaces and to cures to a firm state with just bit of give to it. I'll dive in with a sachet of sugru while I'm in there and see if it can shut up that rattle.

 

IMPORTANT UPDATE!
After taking out the 3/4” foam rope from the corner of the windshield and dash there’s been no ticking noise. Gluing the back of the tweeter together was the ticket. I drove around the night before, all day yesterday and today’s long commute to work in the cold proved no signs of ticking from that corner. As far as I’m concerned, it’s fixed!

I believe getting a new tweeter on warranty won’t fix the manufacture poor adhesive problem putting it together. Either upgrade the tweeter from some other make or take it apart and glue it up. This nightmare is done.
Happy Halloween!