1997 cavalier- clicking noise under dash

[97BlueCavalier]

I have a 97 cavalier coupe, 2.2l, with 13,800 miles given to me by my grandparents. While driving, if I hit any bumps on the road, the car makes a strange clicking/squeaking noise on the driver's side under the dash. Any ideas what this could be?

Thanks!

[mnKISSgirl]

well, a couple years back i started hearing a buzzing click type of sound coming from the glovebox after turning the A/C on,then it all my warning chimes & interior lights would go out. eventually this shorted something out behind the dash, and my warning chimes and interior lights haven't worked since. have you noticed this when the a/c is on? just thought i'd mention this in case, but i'm thinking our problems aren't related

[Cold_Silence]

I think i know what ur talking about, its like a squeaking/groaning from the dash area. While going over a bump or while its making noise, put ur finger between the 2 dash pieces and hold it up pretty hard, if it stops the noises while holding/manipulating it somehow then ghetto rig a little piece of material between the 2 surfaces to hold it up and it should stop the noise, thats what i did with mine and u cant even see it.

Or the more professional way/non-coverup method, http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=321030 and remove the dash and see what is causing the squeaking, could be a bad or loose clip etc. Hope this helps!

[Lances133]

are you sure it's actually IN the dash and not under the car? Like a shock/strut or something? You did mention that only when you go over bumps.

[Cold_Silence]

It could also be the rack & pinion stressing as someone said before.

[97BlueCavalier]

Thanks for all the help,

Now that you mention it the noise seems like it could be coming from the lower part of the steering column... I'll have to check that out. My grandmother had the Cavalier power steering recall done not to long before I got the car, I wonder if that had anything to do with it...

[Cold_Silence]

Originally Posted by 97BlueCavalier

Thanks for all the help,

Now that you mention it the noise seems like it could be coming from the lower part of the steering column... I'll have to check that out. My grandmother had the Cavalier power steering recall done not to long before I got the car, I wonder if that had anything to do with it...

It could, I had that rack and pinion recall done quite awhile ago, but it wasent me driving it before the recall so I couldnt compare. I had a thread on this awhile ago, someone suggested to lube the steering coulum and bearings etc, they could be groaning. Because the recall was for a faulty improperly crimped bearing in the r&p. what year is it btw.

[97BlueCavalier]

Finally pinpointed the noise, AFTER taking my entire dashboard off ...
It was coming from the lowest part of the dash, where the OBDII plugs in. The plastic was squeaking against the metal behind it, so I cut a small piece of rubber, stuck it in there, and no more noise!

The noise did sound like it was coming from the steering column, I'm very glad that it actually wasn't....

Thanks for all the help!

[Cold_Silence]

Where exactly is the OBDII located? You basically gotta get on ur knees outside and look under the wheel? Maybe I should do that to mine also..

[97BlueCavalier]

Originally Posted by Cold_Silence

Where exactly is the OBDII located? You basically gotta get on ur knees outside and look under the wheel? Maybe I should do that to mine also..

The OBDII plugin is attached at the very bottom of the driver side dash. I stuck a few pieces of old floormat between the dash and the metal behind it, and the car doesn't make the noise at all.

[97BlueCavalier]

Originally Posted by Cold_Silence

Where exactly is the OBDII located? You basically gotta get on ur knees outside and look under the wheel? Maybe I should do that to mine also..

The OBDII plugin is attached at the very bottom of the driver side dash. I stuck a few pieces of old floormat between the dash and the metal behind it, and the car doesn't make the noise at all.