Anyone had their dash out?

[p3asa]

My wifes GTI has developed a rattle from what sounds like behind the instrument cluster somewhere.

Its only over rough ground but interestingly you can hear the noise when you shut the front doors. I seem to remember it being mentioned on here that a pipe is in there and can come loose.

Taking the dash out is the last thing we want. Anyone had theirs out or had the same noise?

The wee cubby hole to the right of the steering, if I removed that would I be able to get my hand up? It looks reachable but I'd imagine there would be all sort above it stopping me.

Im hoping the noise just stops the way it just started after 3 months but I doubt it. Is there a cut off for getting this type of thing looked at?

[monkeyhanger]

The cut off is the warranty period, or perhaps some goodwill beyond if you've kept servicing within the dealership network and have prior VW buying history. Goodwill might dry up with the litigations. Don't ask, don't get.

[Exonian]

Under the dash in front of the pedals there's a panel that you'll need to remove to get at the top of the pedals to fit the pedal box (hint, hint).
It's only one screw.
It you take that bit of trim out and the cubby hole too you'll probably be able to reach up behind the dials if you have fairly slim and elegant arms. It'll probably give you at least enough access to wiggle a few things. The wiring looms are usually well wrapped in noise reducing insulation so it could well be a pipe or a mechanism that moves the aircon flaps.
The radio screen panel isn't that difficult to remove either but you run a lot of risk of marking something very visible.

[JoeGTI]

Before you do anything drastic, make sure it's not something obvious. I've had 2 rattles that I was certain were coming from deep inside the dash but neither were. One was the sunvisor - it seemed to be rattling against the vanity light. A firm fist thump sorted that one out    The second one was the cubby in front of the gearstick, my phone cable was rattling against it when closed!

[monkeyhanger]

I'd echo Joe's advice. In My Scirocco, there was a rattle that sounded like it was behind the passenger's side of the dash to me when driving, to my Wife as passenger, it sounded like it was coming from the drivers side. So what was it? My wife's sunglasses rattling in the overhead cubby.

I wouldn't go reaching behind the dash if the car is still under warranty though - let the dealership sort it, you might make it worse. Empty the car of everything in all the storage areas and if the car is still rattling and still under warranty, get it to the dealers.

[GeoBog]

I've had a similar rattle over rough tarmac and speed bumps and I tought it was the suspension however when I took it in for the second service I raised it with the dealer and they said it is actually the "ECU cage" which rattles. Replaced it with new one on warranty and the rattle was gone. All quiet now.

[GTI_Ant]

Mine sounded like it was behind the dash.  I suspected the soundaktor but it turned out to be a heat shield between the front of the exhaust and the body. Dealer reseated it but the rattle came back after a month so they replaced it. It's been fine since.

[p3asa]

Thanks for the advice guys especially JoeGTI.
I would have put my mortgage on it being from being behind the instrument cluster however it turns out its the sunvisor.
That's a relief.

Thanks again.

[JoeGTI]

Thanks for the advice guys especially JoeGTI.
I would have put my mortgage on it being from being behind the instrument cluster however it turns out its the sunvisor.
That's a relief.

Thanks again.

Excellent! 

[Exonian]

Phew! Good to hear you're not requiring a dealer to dismantle your dash