Help with unusual dash noise...

[DeanFL]

in a 2003. I have a '10 and member of PChat. My GF has the '03 Gen 1.

Has experienced a random sound from the dash area for a month. She describes it as a "sizzling" noise coming from the area between the ignition and radio. Does not stop when the A/C is turned off. Doesn't seem to be affected by how long the car is running. Has happened only twice - but she is quite concerned it may indicate an electrical issue.

Can anyone provide guidance on this? Thanks.

[bwilson4web]

Uh, not much of a description:

• How long?
• What speed or driving?
• What stopped it?

Perhaps your GF might describe it in more detail? I take it you weren't there at the time.

Bob Wilson

[DeanFL]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

Uh, not much of a description:

• How long?
• What speed or driving?
• What stopped it?

Perhaps your GF might describe it in more detail? I take it you weren't there at the time.

Bob Wilson

• How long?

A few minutes until she shut the car off.

• What speed or driving?

Slow - like turning into a driveway so about 5-10MPH.

• What stopped it?

When she turned off the car.

She's concerned as this sound comes on out of the blue (just started), but the 2 times, when she was close to her destination. May be nothing (?) but would like to know if other Gen 1 drivers had this occur as well.
Thanks!

[bwilson4web]

Ask her when it next occurs:

• turn the fan control to different speeds - the fan might be rubbing against something or have bearings going out. If the sound changes with the fan control, we'll know or eliminate that from the ambiguity group.
• eject the CDs or tapes - these units also have motors and moving parts. If they are rubbing against something, they could be causing the problem.
• turn the A/C on/off and move the controls through all positions - again, we're trying to find anything that may change the nature of the sound

As long as she doesn't smell 'smoke,' she is safe. These kind of mechanical things often sound worse than they really are. But there is one quick inspection you might do, the A/C filter.

If you take out the glove compartment, it requires pulling the hinge pins, you can quickly see the A/C filter. Pull it out and inspect it for possible damage. If the filter failed, 'stuff' might have fallen into the fan compartment and started rubbing against the fan.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

[DeanFL]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

Ask her when it next occurs:

• turn the fan control to different speeds - the fan might be rubbing against something or have bearings going out. If the sound changes with the fan control, we'll know or eliminate that from the ambiguity group.
• eject the CDs or tapes - these units also have motors and moving parts. If they are rubbing against something, they could be causing the problem.
• turn the A/C on/off and move the controls through all positions - again, we're trying to find anything that may change the nature of the sound

As long as she doesn't smell 'smoke,' she is safe. These kind of mechanical things often sound worse than they really are. But there is one quick inspection you might do, the A/C filter.

If you take out the glove compartment, it requires pulling the hinge pins, you can quickly see the A/C filter. Pull it out and inspect it for possible damage. If the filter failed, 'stuff' might have fallen into the fan compartment and started rubbing against the fan.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

Thanks very much. I have relayed your suggestions over to her.

Honestly it was a bit frustrating trying to get diagnostic info from her. I felt like Sgt. Joe Friday...

I'll report back if it recurs.