Weird buzzing sound under right side of dash

[thezentree]

Not the brake booster, this is different.

Sounds kind of like a combination of the power steering relief valve and like thin sheet metal buzzing. Only happens under power (can't replicate it in the driveway), most times after a bump or a slight turn.

I know I'm asking the Internet to identify a noise my car is making but I'm kind of stumped here. Doesn't sound like failing PS pump or pulley in the drive belt, so I don't know what it could be.

Any ideas?

ETA: Solved. Catalytic converter heat shield.

 

[RyanNapoleon]

Is it like a chirping? If so you have something rubbing on the black abs box behind the driver kick panel. I had to zip tie all wires away and wrap that stupid box in foam to eliminate the buzzing/chirping

 

[OrRunner]

Frankly, it’s only if it stops buzzing that you have something to worry about

 

[thezentree]

Is it like a chirping? If so you have something rubbing on the black abs box behind the driver kick panel. I had to zip tie all wires away and wrap that stupid box in foam to eliminate the buzzing/chirping

No it really sounds like a piece of sheetmetal rattling against something, but also enough like a pressure relief valve (like, end of steering rack travel) that it's concerning. It seems to be happening more and more too.

I feel like such a newb for posting this thread but I can't figure it out. It's impossible to replicate in the driveway and is pretty inconsistent on the road so I'm having a hell of a time tracking it down.

 

[ambush]

Can you possibly record audio and post?

No it really sounds like a piece of sheetmetal rattling against something, but also enough like a pressure relief valve (like, end of steering rack travel) that it's concerning. It seems to be happening more and more too.

I feel like such a newb for posting this thread but I can't figure it out. It's impossible to replicate in the driveway and is pretty inconsistent on the road so I'm having a hell of a time tracking it down.

 

[thezentree]

Can you possibly record audio and post?

I'll try, but it's like 2-4 seconds long and really inconsistent.

Anything else I can do to make this more vague?

:ybrick:

 

[AlrightGuy]

Catalytic converter heat shield? Lay under the truck and hit them with your hand and see if one is loose.

 

[thezentree]

Catalytic converter heat shield? Lay under the truck and hit them with your hand and see if one is loose.

DUDE! That's it!

I had grabbed them and shook them and they felt tight, but smacking one made the other buzz.

Thank you!

 

[thezentree]

[MENTION=11611]ambush[/MENTION]

In case anyone is wondering what the sound I badly described actually sounds like, I realized that it had started doing it at startup when the engine is cold:

https://youtu.be/CcGMk49SIKk

I feel like such a dumbass for not thinking about that but here it is. Makes sense for it to not rattle like that when the exhaust is hot and has expanded.

 

[sleepydad]

[MENTION=11611]ambush[/MENTION]

In case anyone is wondering what the sound I badly described actually sounds like, I realized that it had started doing it at startup when the engine is cold:

https://youtu.be/CcGMk49SIKk

I feel like such a dumbass for not thinking about that but here it is. Makes sense for it to not rattle like that when the exhaust is hot and has expanded.

a while back I had this weird rubber flap noise sometimes. at first I was sure it was one of the climate control doors. it only happened at a certain speed and only sometimes... was driving me nuts.

the previous owner had installed one of those sun roof wind defectors and the rubber seal on the front of it had finally given up in the middle and was flapping in the breeze.

I was 100% sure I was going to have to rip the dash apart to figure it out. stupid little floppy thing.

glad you figured it out, I was going to suggest manifold heat shields. sometimes the little nuts holding them rust all the way off and you will get that kind of noise.

 

[thezentree]

That's about where I was at with this. It's been getting increasingly more frequent over the last few months and when my fiancé noticed it this weekend (I could paint the whole car red and she probably wouldn't notice) I realized it was time to ask the Internet™

I'm glad it was something so simple but also I can't believe I couldn't figure it out on my own. :doh:

 

[ambush]

That is great! Dont feel bad. Glad it is something simple!

[MENTION=11611]ambush[/MENTION]

In case anyone is wondering what the sound I badly described actually sounds like, I realized that it had started doing it at startup when the engine is cold:

https://youtu.be/CcGMk49SIKk

I feel like such a dumbass for not thinking about that but here it is. Makes sense for it to not rattle like that when the exhaust is hot and has expanded.