Driver side dash creaks and pops

[ukengr93]

Hi all. Proud and excited new member of community and owner of 22k '95 black on black #264. I've replaced sagging targa headliner, stiffenened and resolved drooping ear sunvisors and replaced broken window positive stop thus far ...one issue left to solve... for now.

Predominantly at low speeds such as driving around town getting beyond annoying creaks and pops (almost like popcorn) only on driver side top of dashpad. Mostly but not all toward window to be exact downstream of gauges. Over significant bumps at higher speeds it happens as we'll. I cannot recreate in any way manipulating or pushing on Dashpad..... so maybe something underneath???

My understanding is later ZR1s have improvements in this area. It's pretty bad. Anyway before tearing out dashpad was wondering if anyone else has similar, corrected or thoughts on what to look for? Help appreciated.

[billschroeder5842]

Originally Posted by ukengr93

Anyway before tearing out dashpad was wondering if anyone else has similar, corrected or thoughts on what to look for? Help appreciated.

Congrats on your 95 and welcome to your new obsession!

You are experiencing the bane of my (personal) existence; dash noises. I LOOSE MY MIND with dash noises, realising that our C4s were designed to creak from the factory. I'm neurotic and have a healthy relationship with my crazy.

So....

You really will have to take some of your dash apart. There are plastic that touched metal, wire looms that rub on plastic and pieces that come loose over time.

Do your best to isolate the noise. Push, pull, tug (gentally) schwack your dash to try to replicate the noise. You really need to do this prior to pulling things apart or you will end up going the "full Monty" and pulling everything out of your dash.

Couple of things from someone who has spend an embarrassing amount of time (seriously you would be impressed) chasing dash noises.

1) Try tightening any visible screw snug first. Dash, kick panel, "a" pilar, vents instrument cluster...etc.
2) Removing the driver side panel cover (three screws), the AC vent (two screws) and removing the headlight switch (two nuts) will give you a bunch of access. You can reach into the dash, behind the cluster, put pressure under the dash cover and mess with a bunch of the wire loom.
3) For "advanced neurotics" remove the carpeted kick plate and then the aluminum kick panel. This will give you huge access to everything behind the dash that could make noise; looms, relays, plastic on plastic...etc. If you remove all that, prepare to contort yourself as you push, pull tap, shake...etc until you find your problem.
4) Foam, zip ties and Coors Light are your friend.
5) Sound travels. You may think that your drivers dash is the problem, but the sound could originates from somewhere else and then travels.

I ultimately found my problem as either the a wiring junction blocks rubbing on the steering column plastic or a SIR relay that came loose and the metal mounting clip tapping the aluminum kick panel. A "mush" of foam in between the two and a zip tie to hold relay in place and... wonderful silence. This was only found after taking lots apart.

This is trial and error really... more art than science.

[ukengr93]

Great opening as yes, this is indeed my new obsession. Love to see the Coors Light reference as I work for MillerCoors. Good man! I am going to fit in well here I can tell. Great tips & thanks a bunch for taking the time to summarize your learnings. I certainly will leverage them.

[We Gone]

Welcome, Just turn up the radio or tune in to WLT5@7200RPMS.... GoodLuck I think Bill covered to main points.