[whoisthis]

I have been hearing this loud rattling noise behind cluster gauge for about a year now.
When I took the car for service at bmw for some other problem, the tech told me the noise seems to come behind the cluster gauge which sounds like a loosened bolt.
Since they wanted minimum charge of $130, i didn't have them work on it

Does anyone know where there might be a loosened bolt behind cluster gauge?

Link DIY on removing the cluster or getting access behind cluster area would be appreciated as well

[Billfitz]

I had something like that bugging me for months, couldn't figure out where it was coming from, until one day I happened to have my window open and heard it coming from the front of the car. It turned out that a front coil spring was broken, the broken piece wrapped around the strut rod. My point is if it's loud it probably isn't behind the gauges.

[whoisthis]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I had something like that bugging me for months, couldn't figure out where it was coming from, until one day I happened to have my window open and heard it coming from the front of the car. It turned out that a front coil spring was broken, the broken piece wrapped around the strut rod. My point is if it's loud it probably isn't behind the gauges.

I can literally hear it behind the cluster, inside the instrument panel. The noise is too close to be outside the car.

[whoisthis]

Anyone who might know?

[claykin]

Year and model of your car?

[deepghosh]

I noticed a rattling in that area and finally figured out it was the plastic screen for the HUD (in the dash behind the cluster). Not sure if you have a HUD or not but you could check that to see if it's causing the rattling

[whoisthis]

2012 328i.

I do have HUD. For you, if you press down on the screen then no more sound?

[deepghosh]

Originally Posted by whoisthis

2012 328i.

I do have HUD. For you, if you press down on the screen then no more sound?

Yup, that's correct. For mine I put enough pressure on it to maybe reseat it... i haven't heard the rattling in a while.

[ill250]

I started hearing rattling noise somewhere behind my cluster as well. I havent figured it out yet. I've tried putting pressure all around the dashboard and under-panel but it still rattles so it must be something inside. It only happens when my car is in gear. Sounds like a wood pecker in there.

[whoisthis]

Originally Posted by ill250

I started hearing rattling noise somewhere behind my cluster as well. I havent figured it out yet. I've tried putting pressure all around the dashboard and under-panel but it still rattles so it must be something inside. It only happens when my car is in gear. Sounds like a wood pecker in there.

Same here. Only happens while driving on bumpy road.
There is a panel opening on left side of dashboard. You can see it when you open the door. Im kinda thinking about shooting wd40 everywhere through the opening hahaha

[alpina-527]

Originally Posted by whoisthis

Same here. Only happens while driving on bumpy road.
There is a panel opening on left side of dashboard. You can see it when you open the door. Im kinda thinking about shooting wd40 everywhere through the opening hahaha

If your dash is the same as the f32, it's an easy fix.

Pull your steering wheel adjust lever to lower the wheel and pull it forward.

Undo the two torx screws that hold the clocks in.

Lay a cloth on the dash and roll the clocks out towards you from the top.

There should be enough slack on the cable to hold the assembly to one side.

Now look in the hole to see a flattened portion of an air duct. It's probably come unclipped but no matter. Stuff some small pieces of foam around the edges but not too much, it still needs to clip back on. Then when it's clipped, stuff more foam in any contact points.

It's easy when you see it but I can almost guarantee it'll make a vast improvement.

[danoelise]

alpina-527, can you please post pics describing your fix for this issue? It's driving me mad ;-)

[MHL]

Originally Posted by danoelise

alpina-527, can you please post pics describing your fix for this issue? It's driving me mad ;-)

There you go
Kies motorsport is telling you how to remove the cluster.

[speed608]

I seem to have had the same rattle and have tried everything to find the rattle but to no avail. Its driving me nuts and only happens on a course road surface. Thought it was only me but it seems to be a problem experienced by quite a few. Have tried all the fixes mentioned on the forum but nothing has helped.

[vadimo]

Originally Posted by speed608

I seem to have had the same rattle and have tried everything to find the rattle but to no avail. Its driving me nuts and only happens on a course road surface. Thought it was only me but it seems to be a problem experienced by quite a few. Have tried all the fixes mentioned on the forum but nothing has helped.

take it to decent bmw Specialist then

[shanobear]

Originally Posted by ill250

I started hearing rattling noise somewhere behind my cluster as well. I havent figured it out yet. I've tried putting pressure all around the dashboard and under-panel but it still rattles so it must be something inside. It only happens when my car is in gear. Sounds like a wood pecker in there.

Same issue as this. Mine also only (or mostly) happens when the car is in gear. I think it's because the RPMs change from N to D, and this rattle only happens at a certain RPM.

Haven't taken the cluster off yet, will do that this weekend and report back. If anybody has successfully diagnosed this, would love to hear about it.

[f30bmw340i]

Any solution or update on what was causing the issue? Have the same in my 2018 340i. "Woodpecker" is an apt description for what it sounds like. Happens especially if I accelerate and ease off the gas on a bumpy road. As if something is lose and vibrating.

[deepghosh]

Originally Posted by f30bmw340i

Any solution or update on what was causing the issue? Have the same in my 2018 340i. "Woodpecker" is an apt description for what it sounds like. Happens especially if I accelerate and ease off the gas on a bumpy road. As if something is lose and vibrating.

It ended up being the center console plastic cover next to the passenger footwell. I stuffed some 1” squishy foam under the plastic and that resolved my rattling. Hope this helps!