Rattling noise behind driver side kick panel

[R@tfink]

Greetings,

1st time poster. Bought my 4Runner a few days ago, 2014 Trail Premium. I love it and look forward to being part of the T4R community.

Question. I noticed a drivers side dash rattle produced under slight speed on bumpy roads. At first I thought it was originating from behind the the AC ducting. I later felt, listened and was able to determine that it was originating from behind the drivers kick panel just outboard of the parking brake. The rattling is due to a little black box free supported by a series of very small connecting wires. The box has a little black resettable button on-board. I have yet attempted to lock it down, or dampen the rattling via some well placed foam... That's tomorrow. In the meantime, does anybody know what it is? Again, just inboard of the parking brake, not low enough to be hidden behind the kick panel, just high enough you can see it without taking the panel off. It has a resettable button and markings I cannot quite see.

Thanks!

 

[rigtec]

"...The rattling is due to a little black box free supported by a series of very small connecting wires. The box has a little black resettable button on-board..."

Hi R@tfink,

And welcome to the forum! What you describe sounds to me like an aftermarket product. Did you have anything added to this vehicle; 'Alarm system, Sunroof, Stereo equipment'...etc? I've been in that panel one thousand times and can't remember seeing anything that was un-suspended or loose unprotected wiring.

If possible perhaps you can snap a picture of it so we can have a look! rgds!

 

[R@tfink]

Hi R@tfink,

And welcome to the forum! What you describe sounds to me like an aftermarket product. Did you have anything added to this vehicle; 'Alarm system, Sunroof, Stereo equipment'...etc? I've been in that panel one thousand times and can't remember seeing anything that was un-suspended or loose unprotected wiring.

If possible perhaps you can snap a picture of it so we can have a look! rgds!

Could very well be an aftermarket product. Not by me though..... When I fist saw it, I thought it looked like a GPS module or maybe something alarm related. My vehicle does have sunroof, which seems a little unusual for the model. I'll try to get a pic... Otherwise, I'll probably have the dealer take a look.

 

[rigtec]

Could very well be an aftermarket product. Not by me though..... When I fist saw it, I thought it looked like a GPS module or maybe something alarm related. My vehicle does have sunroof, which seems a little unusual for the model. I'll try to get a pic... Otherwise, I'll probably have the dealer take a look.

You're probably right about being some aftermarket parts in there. My 3'rd gen 4Runner 'SR5' had an aftermarket (dealer installed) 'Sunroof' and alarm system. Looked and worked great but just wasn't by Toyota!

Cheers!

 

[mace.]

Is it a dealer installed GPS / immobilizer? I've heard of dealers that do inhouse financing installing these to make sure they get the cars back if someone stops paying.

 

[rigtec]

Is it a dealer installed GPS / immobilizer? I've heard of dealers that do inhouse financing installing these to make sure they get the cars back if someone stops paying.

No. The "GPS & engine immobilizer" come from the factory but, there may be additional items installed on the toyota alarm system platform e.g., Motion sensor, Glass breakage sensor, ...etc! When a company or bank initiates a 'repossession', a flatbed/tow truck will be deployed; customer keys, remote transponder, engine immobilizer, cannot prevent the repo from taking place! rgds