Interior - dash rattles

[nickyboy]

It`s very annoying, and comes from quite close to the windshield. Every time there is the slightest vibration.
If you release the steering height lever though, the rattles stop. But that`s kinda dangerous, the lever protrudes quite a bit, and the wheel is free to move.
Anyone else had this problem, or could hazard a guess as to wot the fukc is goin on? :x
Car is a 2003 5 door 1.2 active

[simon_16vpunto]

yes! There was a rattle coming from my dash and i found out it was a wee bit of plastic that covers a screwhole behind the centre cubbyhole on the top of the dash.

I pulled it off and stuck it back on again and it was fine, until another rattle appeared, but it dissapeared when i changed my head unit. :?

[nickyboy]

:-P Hope you can help me out dude. Could you give us a bit more info on what to do? I`ve only had the car a few weeks, am yet to take it apart
cheers

[simon_16vpunto]

lol, i have had mine since april and near enough re-built it.

when you are driving the car if you hear a rattle, press down on that plastic cap on the dash.If it stops rattling, you need to prise it out with a flat head screwdriver baing careful not to damage the dash. I was gonna get some kind of foam to stuff in the dash but i clipped it back in and it was fine.

On saying that, you are driving a Fiat so it could be anything thats rattling

[nickyboy]

not sure which plastic cap you mean? I don`t think the top of my dash has a bit that comes off near the winshield.
It looks like its all 1 piece, but with dips and cubbyholes melted into it
I`ll give it a go tho, will press down all over till i shut it up
It really gets on ur tits on a long drive.

[simon_16vpunto]

it is a punto you have eh?

If you do see the centre cubby hole on top of the dash, between that and the windscreen, there should be a rectangle plastic cap which covers a screw.

[nickyboy]

Got ya. I`ll gie it a bash

[Martyn]

Got ya. I`ll gie it a bash

Won't that break it more though? :lol:

Good luck let us all know how ya get on.

[nickyboy]

I finally got off me butt and tried removing that bit etc
No joy
Further investigation shows that if you grip the steering wheel it stops rattling
Maybe there`s a screw loose somewhere?
Also, sometimes, when moving the steering wheel, there is a slight noise coming from the steering column. Very quiet, as if you were rubbing your fingernail on wood :roll:

sounds a bit dangerous mate, maybe take it into a garage and tell them the problem. when it comes to steering wheels i think its prob better to be safe than sorry

[nickyboy]

The thing with taking it back to the garage is, where the car has a year`s warranty, is I have wired up a FIAT RCL kit, and it is placed under the steering column, and it`s gonna be a pain to remove
And don`t worry, that rattle was there BEFORE i fitted the kit

[nickyboy]

And Diekund, lovely car mate. I thought u were powersliding in that pic, it looks fast even though there`s no-one in it lol

[simon_16vpunto]

yeh just take it back to Fiat

[nickyboy]

Was a Citroen garage I got the car from

[simon_16vpunto]

but if the car is less than 3 years old, u can take it to any Fiat dealer to get sorted free of charge

[nickyboy]

cool. will still have to remove the RCL and wiring :(

And Diekund, lovely car mate. I thought u were powersliding in that pic, it looks fast even though there`s no-one in it lol


:lol: it is a powerslide, just without the power or the sliding lol

car is only a 1.1 so im afraid it isnt that fast lol

but thanks a lot for the comment :)

[nickyboy]

Mine`s only a 1.2
I`ve had fast cars (last was a Prelude 2.2VTI) and you just drive like a twat
Plus ur saving a shedload of cash

also im only 18 and a student so REALLY couldnt afford anything bigger lol

[nickyboy]

My prelude was £700 fully comp. And £45 to fill the tank, which can be as little as 150 miles
Punto is £220 fully comp, with 3 points!
And i`ve had 350 miles b4 reserve

[nickyboy]

Am gonna put it into a Fiat garage, as it is not 3 years old until March 06. Do you think that the genuine Fiat RCL kit would negate the warranty? Hopefully the garage will see it as a way to screw money out of Fiat and do the work anyway

[simon_16vpunto]

Is it a Meta one you have? Just say it was on the car when you bought it.

[nickyboy]

Yeah it`s a Meta one. It just looks obvious that it`s an aftermarket job

[nickyboy]

Have phoned a Fiat garage (not closest Fiat garage, coz Arnold Clark are wankers) and the dude said something bout the 3rd year warranty being in my name?
The car`s in my name, and its not 3 years old yet...
WTF`s he on about ?!?

[simon_16vpunto]

the first two years are manufactures warranty and the 3rd is a dealer warranty iirc. It should tell you all about it in the owners pack

[nickyboy]

Yeah, I have to pay £25 too, once the forms arrive