Tumbling Noise behind driver-side dash?

[Spriter]

Hey everyone!

Since i purchased my car, a 05 4wd v6 T4R, I have noticed an odd noise.

When accelerating hard from a stop or when stopping fairly hard i hear a "tumbling" noise. As if a small rock or something is rolling around.

Ive searched the forums and found people discussing a "gurgling" sound from the heater core causing a noise, but i have tried to burp the cooling system to be sure of this. Additionally, i have observed no heating/cooling issues with the engine.

My current theory is either someone left a 10mm socket inside the dash, or that something with the brake cylinder is going on as its the only component with moving parts right there as far as i can tell.

Does anyone have any advice or pointers to lead me in the right direction to resolve this?

 

[chris in ky]

Well, let's try and do a 'process of elimination'.

Does it happen:

When its moving
When changing HVAC control settings
On startup
Running/not running
Turning or straight

Etc

It's entirely possible something is loose in the dash, possibly fell down through the defrost vent.

 

[Spriter]

Well, let's try and do a 'process of elimination'.

Does it happen:

When its moving
When changing HVAC control settings
On startup
Running/not running
Turning or straight

Etc

It's entirely possible something is loose in the dash, possibly fell down through the defrost vent.

When its moving - No
When changing HVAC control settings - No
On startup - No
Running/not running - No
Turning or straight - IF the turn is hard, then noise can be heard, otherwise only when stopping hard or accelerating hard in a straight line


Yeah im thinking something fell in a vent. the more i think about it, the more i realize im gonna be fishing junk out of some compartment in my dash lol

 

[Spriter]

I resolved the issue! Let me detail it for anyone who happens on this thread in the future!

The "tumbling" noise i heard when cornering, stopping, or starting from a full stop was in actuality a case of LOW POWER STEERING FLUID.

It threw me off not only because the noise would come from behind the driver's dash instead of reservoir, but also because of fluid residue in the power steering reservoir!

The reason i did not consider this as a cause before was that, i would visually inspect the power steering reservoir, and see it was full!

But yesterday, i got the idea to shine a flashlight on the reservoir which revealed to me that a layer of residue remained all the way to the fill line.... while the actual fluid level was empty.....

TLR: Put a light to your Power Steering Reservoir to check its level!

 

[AuSeeker]

I resolved the issue! Let me detail it for anyone who happens on this thread in the future!

The "tumbling" noise i heard when cornering, stopping, or starting from a full stop was in actuality a case of LOW POWER STEERING FLUID.

It threw me off not only because the noise would come from behind the driver's dash instead of reservoir, but also because of fluid residue in the power steering reservoir!

The reason i did not consider this as a cause before was that, i would visually inspect the power steering reservoir, and see it was full!

But yesterday, i got the idea to shine a flashlight on the reservoir which revealed to me that a layer of residue remained all the way to the fill line.... while the actual fluid level was empty.....

TLR: Put a light to your Power Steering Reservoir to check its level!

I'm glad you solved your issue, BUT the power steering reservoir does have a dipstick attached to the cap, just an FYI for others, I never just look I always open it up to be sure!!

 

[Spriter]

I'm glad you solved your issue, BUT the power steering reservoir does have a dipstick attached to the cap, just an FYI for others, I never just look I always open it up to be sure!!

Quite true.

I looked at it occasionally, but it was also pretty gummed up with residue (that said, there is still no valid excuse for why i didn't clean that dipstick to find this out earlier!)

 

[AuSeeker]

Quite true.

I looked at it occasionally, but it was also pretty gummed up with residue (that said, there is still no valid excuse for why i didn't clean that dipstick to find this out earlier!)

Since it was that dirty I would recommend doing a power steering fluid flush, those who have done the flush also removed the reservoir and were able to clean out all the residue and make it look new again.

Search the forum, there are several write-ups on doing the flush.

 

[Spriter]

Since it was that dirty I would recommend doing a power steering fluid flush, those who have done the flush also removed the reservoir and were able to clean out all the residue and make it look new again.

Search the forum, there are several write-ups on doing the flush.

Thank you for the advice! I will look into that and probably do it this weekend, as it is quite black, even after adding new fluid.

 

[AuSeeker]

Thank you for the advice! I will look into that and probably do it this weekend, as it is quite black, even after adding new fluid.

Make sure you don't actually use "Power Steering Fluid" these T4Rs use transmission fluid in the power steering system, look on the cap or in your owner's manual and it will show exactly which transmissiom fluid to use.

 

[Spriter]

Make sure you don't actually use "Power Steering Fluid" these T4Rs use transmission fluid in the power steering system, look on the cap or in your owner's manual and it will show exactly which transmissiom fluid to use.

Indeed!
Per my owner's manual, its Dex2 or Dex3 ATF for the 05 t4R. I topped it off with some valvoline dex3 ATF last night and will likely use the same for the flush