Annoying rattle in dash

[4U2NV]

I need some help with a rattle in my dash. It sounds like a loose cable is rattling off the top of the dash near the defrost vents. Does anyone have an exploded view of the dash assembly? How difficult is it to disassemble the dash and look for the problem?

PS: This problem only occurs when it is cold. When the car is warmed up whatever rattles softens or becomes more pliable and no longer makes any noise.

[repiv]

Dash rattles are always a nightmare. Sometimes, taking the thing apart will only result in something else coming loose and taking it apart isn't easy. You can remove the 2 side knee pads that look like speaker grills and reach up or you can take out the radio and front vent face plate, take out the radio and reach up or you can pop the passenger knee panel or reach up under the driver's side under-dash, but I'm almost going to bet you'll break something in the process. As the car gets older, it will exhibit more and more rattles and cold will aggravate the situation. Most people just live with it. If it's not something you can reach easily, it'll end up driving you nuts if you can't learn to ignore it.
Here is a place where you can get a blow up of the dash and duct work, but as you'll see there's not enough detail for you to actually do anything with it.

http://www.slhondaparts.com/browse.asp?Model=S2000&Year=2000&Doors=2&TrimLevel=2DR+S2000+&Emissions=KA&TransLevel=6MTKA&PartCatalogId=14S2A0&Section=G&Category=

[Ulrich]

Probably not quite the view that you are looking for...?

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=S2000&catcgry2=2002&catcgry3=2DR+S2000&catcgry4=KA6MT&catcgry5=CONSOLE

[4U2NV]

Thanks for the links. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew, so I may just take off the two side access panels and the radio face plate and see what little I can.

[Geo02s2k]

Access to that part of the dash isn't too bad. There just isn't much room behind there and not too many things that I can think of that might be rattling. Good luck.

[kwando]

i have a rattle behind the vent above the climate controls that i have been meaning to track down. it sounds like a loose bolt. anyone know of the easiest way to remove the dash trim piece?

[repiv]

i have a rattle behind the vent above the climate controls that i have been meaning to track down. it sounds like a loose bolt. anyone know of the easiest way to remove the dash trim piece?

Here is the Modifry site for pulling the instrument cluster forward:
http://modifry.com/products/mounts/Modifry's%20Dash%20Bracket.pdf

However, to pull it right out, you have to lower the steering column, so no, there is no "easy" way.

[wtmohr]

Simple solutions,

1)Fujita F5
2)Invidia Exhaust
3)New head unit, good speakers, subwoofer & 600 watts of amp (my personal solution)

[desmo4]

i have a rattle behind the vent above the climate controls that i have been meaning to track down. it sounds like a loose bolt. anyone know of the easiest way to remove the dash trim piece?

If you are not sure of the mechanical aspects. I would highly recommend buying a shop manual so once you take something apart you will be able to put it back together. Taking of the dash panel is involved but not impossible.

1 depending on your size, remove the drivers seat.
2. Remove the screws under the steering column cover and gently pull the top and bottom apart.
3. With a socket wrench remove the 4 nuts wich hold up the steering column.
4 remove the 2 covers from the underside of the hood which is above the gauge display and remove the screws.
5. Pry the dash cover off with your fingers, be mind full of all the plugs and disconnect them to free the panel.


Jonathan