2003-2011 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I do feel let down a bit. I bought this SAAB because my others were SO GOOD to me and two were very safe in accidents. I detest rattles and, although the car was dead silent when I bought it, in the cold it's been getting pretty bad. It's bad enough that I'm out in the garage battling the rattles when I should be in eating dinner with my family.
I fixed a couple but one naggine one still exists. These are all cold rattles that happen for about 5 or 10 minutes after the engine gets warm on a cold morning and the heat is cranking. I bet that's what you're running into as well.
Two of them were the dash vents on the left and the right. Had to use something similar to gaffer's tape on all the edges of the dash vent assemblies. I actually used very thin self-stick weatherstripping with the soft "open cell" foam. Gaffers tape would have been better and easier. The noises were gone. Score!
While I was in there I also found the source of a weird clunk with LARGE bumps during the same time/temperature period. Turned out a small bulk of wire is routed over the air duct leading to the left and right dash vents. Yes, each side had the issue. A chunk of stick on thick weatherstripping was placed over each air duct and under the bulk of wire. Strange thunk gone. Yes! This was weeks ago so the aforementioned rattles really are gone now.
There is now one more that I haven't found and it's really annoying. It happens only during the same transition from cold to hot. It sounds like somebody is holding a CD relatively flat with two fingers like a pizza and tapping one end on metal or glass and letting it bounce just a tad. I have already removed the glovebox and treated everything I could see/feel. Everything sounds much better but that rattle still exists. It's on the passenger side and seems to be coming from the dash. I haven't been on the passenger side when it happens so I haven't been able to narrow it down.
The two next choices are;
1) Remove the Thule bike carrier from the right side on the roof. (long shot)
2) Check the distance from the far edge of the dash to the windshield. It could be expanding just enough when it's getting warmer to just ding against it over medium to large bumps. Slipping some felt strip into that area is what I will try.
3) Check the defroster vents themselves. It's possible it's in that area. It does seem related to temperature of air going through the vents. If I am not cranking the heat, it does not happen at this time. It's difficult to get at the defroster vents from anywhere but the top.
4) Speaker grills? I doubt it but you never know. I assume that they just pry off but I haven't been brave enough to try yet. You'd think that music would cause it too and it doesn't.
5) The final check would be the cowling under where the wipre arms come out of. It seems like it could be coming from that too. (long shot)
In the end, it makes me sad that I have to do all these things to a SAAB where they were already done at the factory in my OG9-3 and my 9-5. But... the bright side is that it's already much better and only one little rattle in the dash persists. It's very quiet and only in a short time frame of operation combined with only cold temperatures. I think it's getting personal. I need to fix it. When I find the source, I will post it.
Bill
posted by 63.162.18...
, Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:59:17
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
