Dashboard and airbag rattle

[Robster]

My 2002 GTi has an annoying rattle coming from the dashboard. This one sounds like it's coming from behind the instrument pod or thereabouts.

I've had the pod cover off and can't see anything obvious. The instrument pod itself seems to 'float' a bit and doesn't rattle when I tap it. It sounds like it's coming from deeper into the dash.

I also have one from from the airbag section of the steering wheel. If I hold the airbag cover down a bit when going over bumps the rattle stops (though the dashboard one still happens).

If it knock the steering wheel I hear the one coming from the airbag area. Again, holding the airbag cover resolves it.

Anyone know of any solutions? The two rattles have a similar sound, like something fairly small - perhaps a spring or small plastic component. Is there a safe way of getting the airbag cover off to check The car is running really nicely since they loaded the new ECU code a few days ago and I'd like to get these rattles sorted out once and for all. The dealers are bloody hopeless at sorting this kind of problem out.

[Sale]

Check the main site, there is a FAQ problems section, i think there's a dash rattle fix in there somewhere, but i bet it only involves a lot of strategically applied duct or insulating tape, that's all

[Robster]

It mentions a home-made fix in 'Readers Writes', but that section doesn't exist anywhere on the site.

[Sale]

Ehhh, that's Nigel getting clumsy

Read a review of his car at

homepage.ntlworld.com/nigel.wildgust/peugeot_206_gti_sp.htm

Doesn't say too much but see if it helps anyway. There is no single and definitive fix and cure, it involves a lot of back-bending to determine where exactly the sound is coming from, some insulating foam, tape or whatever you can find to dampen it a bit, it's just a poor build quality showing. Don't be afraid to resort to measures that might seem funny at first (using insulating foam to eradicate rattles in a new car certainly qualifies as "funny") they solve the problem, that's what's important.

[Robster]

I've just been down to the dealer again (Clock Garage in Birmingham) and had a moan at both the sales guy and the servicing manager.

I'm not happy with the build quality of the car. It's atrocious. I get bumps, rattles, bangs and squeeks when going over all but the smoothest road surfaces. There is a rattle coming from the steering wheel which they're not allowed to do anything about (apparently it's on all GTis, whatever). I've got the rattle from deeper in the dash every time I got over a small bump. I've got 'quiet bang' sounds coming from the rear suspension area. Anytime I hit a pothole or larger bump the car sounds like it's about to fall apart. The driver seat squeeks because the angle adjustment lever rubs agains the central trim.

The sales guy reckons the GTi is always more rattly because of the harder suspension. My old XSi was rattly too though. The diesel LX I borrowed last week was smooth and quiet with no rattles.

It's going back in on Friday though I have a feeling I'll get the usual null-response from the service people. If that's the case I think I'll be getting rid of it. I'm fed up of driving a tin can.

[Mitch]

believe me there are worse! drove my sisters new renault clio the other day and it had only done 2k miles and was constant rattles! thinking about it when i test drove a megane (not that i wanted to but that was the only renault they had at the garage with a 1.6 engine which i was looking at for the clio!) and the door and dashboard were rattling like crazy and that had done 7000 miles, certainly steered me away from renault.

[Robster]

Odd you say that, Mitch. My ex girlfriend bought a new 1.2 Clio at the same time I got my GTi. I was staggered at how QUIET the damn thing was. No rattles, bumps, vibrations, bugger all. Very impressive on an £8k car.

Of course, she's my ex so I'm hoping the damn thing rattles like an old can now