[bothhandsplease]

There is a something rattling under the center grill/vent area in the center of my dash. I'm guessing its the wires for the small bean shaped sensor? I can't really find out what this even does. I want to figure out what it is and fix it. The rattle has been driving me crazy.

Is there a way to get access to this area without pulling the entire dash or HVAC? From the pictures I've found it looks like I might be SOL. I'm hoping not though.

The grill is circled in red on the picture above, for clarification.

 

[Polidori]

You might be able to get to the underside of the grill if you take out the center vent. The vents come out relatively easy if you use some plastic trim removal tools (Pep Boys sells them).

 

[RichardSEL]

What is this large expanse of grill actually for?

 

[bothhandsplease]

What is this large expanse of grill actually for?

Its the return vent for climatronic cars.

I guess the little sensor is the sun sensor only on climatronic cars.

 

[aatanasov]

Hello, I have the same problem with my VW Passat B7. Here is a link that shows the sound from my center grill ( https://vid.me/S63Q ). I think it is the same as your problem.

bothhandsplease, have you found a way to solve that problem?

Thanks.

 

[bothhandsplease]

Hello, I have the same problem with my VW Passat B7. Here is a link that shows the sound from my center grill ( https://vid.me/S63Q ). I think it is the same as your problem.

bothhandsplease, have you found a way to solve that problem?

Thanks.

Is that an intermittent sound or constant? Mine was definitely a rattle originating from the sun sensor. I first taped the sucker up in felt, thinking it was wires/connections rattling. I eventually bought a new sensor to replace the old one, but with the new car haven't replaced it.

Based on that video, yours sounds a lot like a fan hitting something.

 

[aatanasov]

It isn't constant, it stars when I drive through non-flat road.

Were you able to remove the sun sensor from the grill?