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rattling noise from cabin air filter?

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Old 08-07-2011, 08:14 PM
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rattling noise from cabin air filter?

No, its' not a snake. When I drive 70+ mph, especially in a headwind, I have a rattling sound coming from the passenger side dash area. I thought it was a bad fitting filter, but now that I'm on my third, different brands, I still have the noise. My wife's Cobalt does not. I keep forgetting to ask the service advisor(s), or my friend with a HHR, but here's my chance. I've searched the forum and not found a reference. My '04 Silverado makes a similar noise, but it's from the outside trim and a known problem (and fix), and not as frequent. But the HHR rattle sounds like it's internal. Anyone else have it?
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Old 08-07-2011, 08:23 PM
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Wiper arm loose? Checked the front passanger wheel well liner-are all the plastic puch pins in place? May not be in the dash...
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Old 08-07-2011, 08:31 PM
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A longshot but check your roof antenna to make sure it's tight. The noise can sound like it's in the dash area from the driver position.
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Old 08-07-2011, 08:32 PM
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I have checked all front (and rear) end pieces, hardware, and fasteners in the last two weeks while doing brakes , shocks, tires, wheels, and tow straps. Nothing amiss. I checked and changed wiper blades the previous week. Up to spec. I am thinking about removing the cabin air filter to see if there's a difference. Another thought... could it be the engine air filter assembly? I doubt it, since at lower road speeds, but at full throttle, there is no rattle. Also: just went out to check antenna. Tight!?!

Last edited by working on it; 08-07-2011 at 08:34 PM. Reason: adding reply to silverfox
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Old 08-07-2011, 08:44 PM
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You MIGHT have a reasonable idea with the air filter box. If I remember correctly a couple of owners had broken or lose brackets.

At higher speeds it make be pushed back and "resting" properly. You probably did this but I would check to assure everything is tight in that area on the passenger firewall.
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Old 08-07-2011, 09:21 PM
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how about that butyl patch? could be flapping in the wind.
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Old 08-07-2011, 09:34 PM
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Also check the fender liner on that corner, had the one on my '07 left loose by the dealer and that rattle drove me nuts for a week until I stumbled onto the problem after much tinkering and looking.
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Old 08-07-2011, 11:08 PM
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I'm amazed at how many Plastic Push Pins are not tight as I go around looking under fender wheel wells etc. etc.
Many Plastic panels and such are just plain loose and some can create excess noise when bumped, hit a hard chuck hole or bump, or under high wind conditions ... like buffeting @ 60/70mph.
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Old 08-07-2011, 11:11 PM
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Those little push pins are so cheap that when I had the bumper off to change the headlight bulbs I just replaced all of them, no more rattles and things are nice and super tight. Sometimes I yearn for the days when things were fastened on with good old fashioned nuts and bolts.
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Old 08-08-2011, 06:49 AM
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check the TSBs

There is a known noise that comes from the passenger side of the dashboard. There is a technical service bulletin for this which includes fixes. Dealer fixed mine, among other rattles, for $600 of labor. Car had to go back (twice, at no additional cost) to redo fixes for two other rattles, but the dashboard one was fixed on the first try.
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