Buzzing dash?
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Buzzing dash?
I was involved in an accident where my '05 Z51 ran over a large chunk of metal in the road. It seemed like a nasty impact at the time but the repair bills weren't all that bad. I picked up an eBay engine cradle and air dam, summit hamonic balancer (the cradle was scared where the balancer touched it then sprung back) and Walker X pipe. After all the work an alignment showed the frame should be fine and all is good... Except that I now have a faint but noticeable buzz or electrically noise sound coming from the area around the tachometer.
I was able to drive the car a little before doing the repair work and didn't notice the buzz, but It could have been drowned out by the hole in the exhaust!
The noise sounds like a dry bearing being spun on a shaft or some kind of electrical noise and it is based on engine rpm, not vehicle speed. The frequency and volume increase with rpm and seem to leg behind the rpm, so as the rpms settle to idle the noise will as well a second or so later. The buzz can be drowned out by wind noise with the window open or with the radio turned up a little, so it isn't that loud. It happens when the engine is hot or cold or the with the radio on, turned down, or completely off. Also, this sound is constant, it doesn't come and go at random.
The car does have heads up display, but the mirror fell off a few years ago after hitting a pot hole. I'm not sure if this would have anything to do with it.
I looked through TSBs with no help and am really stumped. Any ideas where I can start looking?
I was able to drive the car a little before doing the repair work and didn't notice the buzz, but It could have been drowned out by the hole in the exhaust!
The noise sounds like a dry bearing being spun on a shaft or some kind of electrical noise and it is based on engine rpm, not vehicle speed. The frequency and volume increase with rpm and seem to leg behind the rpm, so as the rpms settle to idle the noise will as well a second or so later. The buzz can be drowned out by wind noise with the window open or with the radio turned up a little, so it isn't that loud. It happens when the engine is hot or cold or the with the radio on, turned down, or completely off. Also, this sound is constant, it doesn't come and go at random.
The car does have heads up display, but the mirror fell off a few years ago after hitting a pot hole. I'm not sure if this would have anything to do with it.
I looked through TSBs with no help and am really stumped. Any ideas where I can start looking?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 711
From: Sausalito CA
The two notorious dash buzz noises are:
1) The lower outside plastic panel that attaches to the base of the windshield.
2) The A/C sensor fan near the push button start.
Based on rpm that would sway me toward some loose...a vibration/ rattle.
Since it was in an accident it could be something in the under carriage.
So many possibilities both inside and outside.
There are specialty sound tools, yet get a passenger and just start pushing around the dash area. Maybe even utilize a stethoscope. Undercarriage, lift the car and start hitting with a rubber hammer. Plus from your description torque all your exhaust system bolts and hangers.
Good hunting wished to you.
1) The lower outside plastic panel that attaches to the base of the windshield.
2) The A/C sensor fan near the push button start.
Based on rpm that would sway me toward some loose...a vibration/ rattle.
Since it was in an accident it could be something in the under carriage.
So many possibilities both inside and outside.
There are specialty sound tools, yet get a passenger and just start pushing around the dash area. Maybe even utilize a stethoscope. Undercarriage, lift the car and start hitting with a rubber hammer. Plus from your description torque all your exhaust system bolts and hangers.
Good hunting wished to you.
