Rattling?!?!

right, there's a rattling noise coming either from the dash or the hood. I checked the bolts on the hood, and they're good, but noticed that the right side windshield washer sprayer is loose. I was wondering if that would make a lot of noise or if I should pull out my climate control and head unit to see if anything's loose behind the dash? It sounds like something loose is knocking against something else, and it rattles everytime I go over a bump. If any of you know this to be a common sort of thing, let me know what I might need to look for.

I'd like to help but the description is so vague.
My only suggestion is to look around on your day off and start lightly banging on things with a rubber mallet or your hand. I know, it sounds very caveman-ish, but the sounds don't happen on their own. Sounds are hard to troubleshoot online and even harder if you can't fully describe it, lol. Not trying to flame you, just need a better description, than

quote:

It sounds like something loose is knocking against something else

Oh, the sprayer won't make that much of an annoying rattle.
So, does it sound like metal on metal or metal on plastic, is it muffled, does it sound like it's coming from the outside, engine bay, under your dash, by the firewall.........

you're right, i'll try to be as descriptive as I can. It sounds to me like its coming from behind the climate control in the central part of the dash. It almost sounds like the AC condenser when a car is off-balance (just to give you an idea of the volume level), but its not a metallic sound, it's more like metal-->plastic or plastic-->plastic. It's fairly loud though, so I wonder what is loose. I know 2G DSM's are pretty notorious for their crappy interiors, so I'm not real surprised. I'm coming from a '95 Integra with incredibly well-kept interior though, so I'm a little peeved with all the interior moulding rattling, rubber trim and sunroof leaking-type problems that come along with an older eclipse.

Do all your HVAC controls work? The knobs that is. I would suggest taking the center kick panels off and try moving things around or hit the top of the dash with your palms, if that's enough of a jolt, it may cause the sound you hear.
Do both of your wipers work? I ask this because there's an arm that goe to the driver's wiper that could be loose. I don't think that is what's causing the noise but you never know...start at the dash if that's where you think the noise originates from though.

Let us know if/when you find the culprit. It would be good to know the outcome of the issue.

The verdict i've received from ****s.com is that because of the cheaply made interiors, trying to fix a minor rattle will usually result in a bigger rattle. I'm going to just get used to it I suppose. I think it's behind the climate control though.

What do you have running when you notice the rattle? Anything? I.E. is the blower running to heat or cool the interior?

I think I have the same problem it sounds like the dash is gonna fall down or off! I cannot really pinpoint where it stems from and believe me I don't think I can get used to this plus it's really embarrasing when you have a passenger in your car, my mother thought my car was falling apart and she is very worried for me lol. Yes please post any help or solves for this issue It would be GREATLY appreciated.

A simple fix........turn your music up!  My '99 GS-T doesn't rattle on the inside at all and the sunroof has never leaked...sounds like the previous owner of your ride just abused it and beat the crap outta it.

shreff-
First of all my car is a 2001 spider convertible and she's beautiful. Second,  you sound like the kind of moron that would ignore a problem by turning up the music! This is probably what people do to tune you out. Third, nobody said a thing about a sunroof or a leak so pull your head out. And finally, if you don't have anything intelligent to say, don't waste peoples time by replying to their e-mails with stupidity!
 
 

Is it a squeeck more than a rattle?  does your spyder have Sun and sound (leather basiaclly)??  Is it a 5spd??  The 5spd throw out bearing rattle at idle when the clutch is not pressed down.  the leather seats will develope a slight sqeeck\ rattle to them.
 
Is your dash cracked?  most 3G eclipse have cracked dashboards?  maybe something to so with that?  can you tell if it is an inside or engine bay noise?

Wow is there a recall or something on these dashes, cuz that is what seems to be rattling. Also, this started right after I had taken my car in to have the stereo removed so they could get me a code, I bought it used and the dealer did not get the code from the previous owner and it had  become locked after the battery was replaced. I picked up a bolt that was on the floorboard and took it back and the service advisor popped it in the dash right beneath the stereo so it makes me wonder if they failed to put anymore back in correctly.

I dont think there is a recall.. But it does happen to 90% of the 2000-2005 Eclipses.  They always crack