Noone else had this? Bad luck for me, then... :? Perhaps someone could give me a hint as to whether it would be worth removing the air vent to look for the source of the rattle there - are there any screws, nuts, washers, or anything else within the vent that could cause the rattle (i.e. screws coming loose). I think I read somewhere that Wak had removed the air vents to slip some of his LEDs inside - would appreciate your input if you read this, Wak.

 

Hi borsTT, it was me who has put led's in the air vents (see sig pic) and they are easy to get out. Just get a small bladed screwdriver between the aluminium ring and the dashboard and very gently lever the vent out from the dash a little bit until you can get hold of it and then gradually ease it out. To put it back, just push it back in.

Hope that helps.

Graham

 

Hi Bors,
The vent is a push fit and simply slides out but you have to be carefull not to damage it whilst doing so as it is quite tight. The workshop manual states:

To remove an undamaged vent that will later be re-installed, press vent out of the instrument panel from behind. Removing it from the front of the instrument panel could damage the vent.

To gain access to the center vents, first remove the center section of the instrument panel and also the switch panel.

Reach behind instrument panel from below and push vent from opening in instrument panel.

This is a lot of hassle but there is another way listed in the manual, this involves using two bent pieces of wire as follows:

Bend two short pieces of coathanger in the shape of fish hooks, insert them through the vent grill on either side, hook them outwards on the inside and gently pull the vent out. Be careful not to damage the vent and take note of what part of the vent you are pulling on (make sure it is not the mechanism or grill).

However by what you say the noise is annoying enough to risk damaging the vent as I am sure it won't cost too much to get a replacement form Audi.
Hope that helps,
Boggie[/quote]

 

Thanks guys, I'll have a go at it.

Graham: Did you notice anything inside the vent that might come loose and cause a rattle? I'm thinking there might be some metal gasket or something sitting between the alu ring and the rest of the air vent mount (since it sometimes help to push and hold the alu ring) - what do you think? Does the alu ring pull apart from the rest of the vent?

 

I also have a small rattle which I think in coming from the drivers side air vent so thanks for this information - will have a go at removing it.

Very small metallic rattle at certain engine speeds - damn annoying!!

 

I also have a small rattle which I think in coming from the drivers side air vent so thanks for this information - will have a go at removing it.

Very small metallic rattle at certain engine speeds - damn annoying!!

Sounds like we have the same problem Scotty, I'll post an update if I figure out how to fix it. Will probably have a look this weekend. My rattle seems to be there at all engine speeds, though. But I noticed today (while doing a throttle body reset) that there is no rattle when the engine is not running, even if the aircon is running (ignition on, engine not running).

 

I also have a small rattle which I think in coming from the drivers side air vent so thanks for this information - will have a go at removing it.

Very small metallic rattle at certain engine speeds - damn annoying!!

Sounds like we have the same problem Scotty, I'll post an update if I figure out how to fix it. Will probably have a look this weekend. My rattle seems to be there at all engine speeds, though. But I noticed today (while doing a throttle body reset) that there is no rattle when the engine is not running, even if the aircon is running (ignition on, engine not running).

Thanks borsTT - likewise I will post here too with any fixes etc when I get a chance to have a decent look. I am sure that we will be able to sort it between us. 8)

Thanks again,
Scotty

 

I've had a closer look at this, turns out it's not the vent after all. It's coming from the area around the aircon controls, sounds like it's from behind the little "grill" that probably houses the thermostat (above the ac display). The rattle changes in pitch if I tap on the housing of the ac controls, or on the side of the centre console (above the knee braces). I guess I'll have to remove the centre console to have a look at this, does anyone know if this is a big job?

 

I have a very similar rattle in my 2002 TTC 225. Only got the car last Saturday, but noticed it straight away. You're right, it is very annoying. Its going to the dealers under warranty on Wednesday.

I will let you know what happens.

 

Kasperoff,

If the dealer is able to fix the problem, can you please ask them what the problem was and how they fixed it? Maybe I can get rid of my rattle the same way, if I haven't been able to fix it by then. Thanks.

 

Hi Chaps,

could one of you try an experiment for me.....

could you open the ash tray and drive, then also remove the ash tray insert and drive and see if the rattle is present?
:?

 

Wak: I've tried that and the rattle was still present on mine. I'm convinced something is loose in the actual Air Con unit. I will try again today to verify.

BorsTT: I will tell all when I get it sorted. Ain't that what the forum is for?

 

well I know there something in my air vents.

Some plastic bit of my snooper laser detector dropped down the windscreen vents months ago. I can hear it rattle around when ever climate controls fan is above setting 1 :-/

Is it possible to get in there? I've tried to gentle prise it open but even so, I'd need on of those see around corner tools and automated pliers catch it!

 

well I know there something in my air vents.

Some plastic bit of my snooper laser detector dropped down the windscreen vents months ago. I can hear it rattle around when ever climate controls fan is above setting 1 :-/

Is it possible to get in there? I've tried to gentle prise it open but even so, I'd need on of those see around corner tools and automated pliers catch it!

what about some fish tank hose.....duck tape it to vacuum cleaner hose and then shove it down the vent to try and vacuum the plastic out? :?

 

i think i may be able to help here, i had this rattle a few months ago. it was the little bulb inside the ash tray housing it ratles around in its holder. causing a buzing noise. you need to get the ash tray out. but this is really easy, just one torque screw and pull it down and out...

 

i think i may be able to help here, i had this rattle a few months ago. it was the little bulb inside the ash tray housing it ratles around in its holder. causing a buzing noise. you need to get the ash tray out. but this is really easy, just one torque screw and pull it down and out...

Thanks for the tip bmx - I went down to the garage and tried this immediately. Unfortunately, the rattle is still there with the ashtray removed. Sounds like it's definitely coming from somewhere behind the aircon controls. The hunt continues... :?

 

I confess to also having an annoying little tinny buzzy rattle coming from behind the air con vent grille thingy. It sounds like a fan hitting a housing in a very small way! Must be a constant rotation since the noise is the same at all revs, all speeds and only stops when the car has some momentum like during braking. The noise is so quiet you can hardly hear it unless stationery.

Usually use the Bose solution.

Hope someone finds out what it is! :?

 

I took it to the dealers today for the same problem.

They said it WAS the Climate unit, but it was linked to a broken switch on the front, that had been bodged by the previous owners :? Not sure how much truth is in this, as they are swapping the whole unit out now anyway under warranty next Friday.

Will try to find out more!

 

Thanks for the update Kasperoff, I still haven't gotten anywhere with this problem. I tried to have a closer look while mounting my sat nav, but it looks like the aircon unit is hard to get to without taking the whole dashboard apart. I'm reluctant to do this if I'm not sure I'll be able to fix the problem.

 

I've had the most annoying rattle from the dashboard. The Audi dealer pinned it down to the air con unit. It was replaced under warranty and now I'm a happy man! Only 2 months left on the warranty though.......

 

I've had the most annoying rattle from the dashboard. The Audi dealer pinned it down to the air con unit. It was replaced under warranty and now I'm a happy man! Only 2 months left on the warranty though.......

Cheers,

Did they actually have to replace the whole aircon unit? Since I'm out of warranty a good while ago, I'm probably going to have to live with my rattle - don't want to pay hundreds of ££ :x to fix this minor issue.

 

well I know there something in my air vents.

Some plastic bit of my snooper laser detector dropped down the windscreen vents months ago. I can hear it rattle around when ever climate controls fan is above setting 1 :-/

Is it possible to get in there? I've tried to gentle prise it open but even so, I'd need on of those see around corner tools and automated pliers catch it!

Takes about 10 seconds to remove the whole air vent front assembly. These just pull out with some working around the edge with a flat metal ruler - a bread knife (not the missus) will also work. I did this 2 nights ago and was surprised how easy it was once you get started.