Front Speaker Buzz(Rattle)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: IE
Mercedes 2005 CLK55
Front Speaker Buzz(Rattle)
I have HK and recently started hearing a buzz/ rattle from both my front speakers. Anyone else? Know of a fix? Anyone take it in for service?
Thanks In Advance
Thanks In Advance
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Left Coast, USA
'05 C230K SS
I have had a rattle in the front left speaker since I got the car. I have the harman/kardon system too. I was planning to bring it up during my 1K-3K courtesy visit.
There is another thread I just read today (search for speaker grille or remove speaker) that said it may be caused by a loose grille panel or loose housing for the window/trunk switches. The only way to judge this for yourself is to take off the interior door panel, which requires the removal of 2 torx screws and some plastic clips.
In my case, I find that when I firmly press the top pointed end of the speaker grille against the door, the rattle goes away. I may use some putty to dampen the speaker grille against the control panel and see if that makes the problem go away. If it does, I just won't bother the dealer about it as I'd rather them do less things to my car. I'm taking a cue from that other "I am now a statistic" thread. I'd rather not give anyone a chance to say the speaker is blown (when it is not) and charge me for it.
Btw, all you veterans out there...when you bring your car to a dealer for service, is it rude to ask them not to wash and detail your car?
There is another thread I just read today (search for speaker grille or remove speaker) that said it may be caused by a loose grille panel or loose housing for the window/trunk switches. The only way to judge this for yourself is to take off the interior door panel, which requires the removal of 2 torx screws and some plastic clips.
In my case, I find that when I firmly press the top pointed end of the speaker grille against the door, the rattle goes away. I may use some putty to dampen the speaker grille against the control panel and see if that makes the problem go away. If it does, I just won't bother the dealer about it as I'd rather them do less things to my car. I'm taking a cue from that other "I am now a statistic" thread. I'd rather not give anyone a chance to say the speaker is blown (when it is not) and charge me for it.
Btw, all you veterans out there...when you bring your car to a dealer for service, is it rude to ask them not to wash and detail your car?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,498
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
from what i've read... a whole bunch of people explicitly ask the dealer NOT to wash their car, and guess what... it gets washed anyway !
Some have placed big placards on their steering wheels, or left sticky notes on their windows saying "DO NOT WASH", and then bang-zoom, their car is STILL washed !
--------------------------------
also reading old posts, it seems that the H/K sound system has a bunch of bugs that the previous BOSE system was not known for. H/K systems in BMW's were rated as poor by Beemer forum posters. I hope that cheap quality has not bled over to MB cars. I've sat in new '05 cars with the premium sound package (H/K) and played with them a little bit at the dealerships. Hands down, I prefer my BOSE premium sound package 1000 to 1 !
Some have placed big placards on their steering wheels, or left sticky notes on their windows saying "DO NOT WASH", and then bang-zoom, their car is STILL washed !
--------------------------------
also reading old posts, it seems that the H/K sound system has a bunch of bugs that the previous BOSE system was not known for. H/K systems in BMW's were rated as poor by Beemer forum posters. I hope that cheap quality has not bled over to MB cars. I've sat in new '05 cars with the premium sound package (H/K) and played with them a little bit at the dealerships. Hands down, I prefer my BOSE premium sound package 1000 to 1 !
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Left Coast, USA
'05 C230K SS
Originally Posted by Saprissa
from what i've read... a whole bunch of people explicitly ask the dealer NOT to wash their car, and guess what... it gets washed anyway !
Some have placed big placards on their steering wheels, or left sticky notes on their windows saying "DO NOT WASH", and then bang-zoom, their car is STILL washed !
Some have placed big placards on their steering wheels, or left sticky notes on their windows saying "DO NOT WASH", and then bang-zoom, their car is STILL washed !
Originally Posted by Saprissa
also reading old posts, it seems that the H/K sound system has a bunch of bugs that the previous BOSE system was not known for.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,498
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
just be very straight-forward with your Service Advisor about the NO CAR WASH thing. The stories related are only worse case scenarios that only a couple of forum posters have mentioned. I don't think every dealership is like that. I personally like to get the Car Wash done at my dealership (MBSD), they do a REALLY good job, and plus my car is Brill.Silver, so I don't have to worry about the swirl marks left on dark-colored cars.
------------------------------------
I think most of the complaints I've read about the H/K system, are things like what you're describing: speaker rattling, subwoofer rattling, distortion, etc....
I like all kinds of music, and for me the BOSE system just "sounds" crisper / cleaner.
I don't know how to put it in words. I had to sit in both (my car outside w/ BOSE), and the '05's sitting inside the showroom with the H/K. Maybe I'm just tone deaf, and dog-whistles would make me roll over without knowing it
What do I know?
------------------------------------
I think most of the complaints I've read about the H/K system, are things like what you're describing: speaker rattling, subwoofer rattling, distortion, etc....
I like all kinds of music, and for me the BOSE system just "sounds" crisper / cleaner.
I don't know how to put it in words. I had to sit in both (my car outside w/ BOSE), and the '05's sitting inside the showroom with the H/K. Maybe I'm just tone deaf, and dog-whistles would make me roll over without knowing it
What do I know?
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
2003 C230 Kompressor Sedan
Originally Posted by nicedeboy
I guess some idiots can not look down the list and see another person posted the same problem! JEEZ, its only a day or two OLD for goodness sake.
Of course, before you call us all idiots, you really should show some proof of your $26,000 05 C55, so you don't look like the king of idots.
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 829
Likes: 0
05 CLK 320
Speaker problems oh speaker problems, I have had the front left speaker rattle a lot, first the dealer did something about the switches and the rattle died down but it came back up, so he replaced the speaker but th rattle is still there. Then came my center speaker, this speaker basically was giving distored sound at every volume, took the dealer 3 weeks to find the part and replace the part. Now the rear right door speaker is giving random thud sounds during songs. The rear one is not that annoying so I can live with it. He said he will look at it the next time I bring the car in.
I wonder if the other cars with the HK systems are having problems.
I wonder if the other cars with the HK systems are having problems.
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Heidelberg
CLK 500 Convertible
i have a clk 500 cabrio with the new h/k soundsytem and my front speaker is also rattling all the time. i brought it to my dealer when i got it back it still rattled!!! i ll bring it over there one more time. if they cant fix it. i ll have to do it myself.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Boston
2005 C230WZ
I had a rattle in my left front speaker (C230 sedan w/ HK)...it was coming 100% from the trunk release button. If I put the slightest pressure on the button, the rattle stopped. I had a tech take apart the door panel and I think he wrapped the back of the button in some sort of tape. I can't use my trunk release button anymore, but my speaker sounds 100% better, and I can still pop my trunk w/ my key, or from the trunk obviously.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Originally Posted by accbenz
I had a rattle in my left front speaker (C230 sedan w/ HK)...it was coming 100% from the trunk release button. If I put the slightest pressure on the button, the rattle stopped. I had a tech take apart the door panel and I think he wrapped the back of the button in some sort of tape. I can't use my trunk release button anymore, but my speaker sounds 100% better, and I can still pop my trunk w/ my key, or from the trunk obviously.
Adam, did you try replacing the switch? I would take the switch out, pop the button off and glue it back on, that should probably stop the rattling.
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by cracker123
Speaker problems oh speaker problems, I have had the front left speaker rattle a lot, first the dealer did something about the switches and the rattle died down but it came back up, so he replaced the speaker but th rattle is still there. Then came my center speaker, this speaker basically was giving distored sound at every volume, took the dealer 3 weeks to find the part and replace the part. Now the rear right door speaker is giving random thud sounds during songs. The rear one is not that annoying so I can live with it. He said he will look at it the next time I bring the car in.
I wonder if the other cars with the HK systems are having problems.
I wonder if the other cars with the HK systems are having problems.
I had the same distortion problem with the front center speakers, but it was only for a brief time, cause when i started the engine again the problem went away. I read here before that this was happening to a couple of 2005 owners and i thought mine would be immune... oh well i guess not.
Another rattling sound has been detected on my rear winshield speakers. From the looks of it, it's just a loose speaker grill, i will have the dealer have a look at it.
DAMN, you pay this much for a premium sound and this is what you get?
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Arcadia/Irvine
05 C230K
Originally Posted by SteveS
That's what I love about this forum. Helpful incite from one of the more prominant members.
Of course, before you call us all idiots, you really should show some proof of your $26,000 05 C55, so you don't look like the king of idots.
Of course, before you call us all idiots, you really should show some proof of your $26,000 05 C55, so you don't look like the king of idots.
anyway, i have the same buzz sound coming from my front left speaker. my friend is also having the same problem, and he just got his car 2 weeks ago
. when i first got my car the next day my amp broke for half a day. the next day the whole system started working again. the dealer sd they'll replace the amp and fix the speaker problem. so just take it to the dealer, its free anyway
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,498
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
and that's why I LOVE my BOSE system !!!!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Left Coast, USA
'05 C230K SS
Btw all, sticking a small piece of putty against the top corner of the speaker grille panel (the vertex where the grille, window/trunk control panel, and door panel meet), and it made my rattle go away mostly. There was still a little left, but putting my finger against the trunk button made that go away as well, so I think maybe I'll put a small bit of adhesive on the trunk button.
And you have no idea how close I came to opening my trunk on the freeway before I realized I might not want to apply too much pressure on the trunk button while driving!
Or maybe the car is smart enough to not open the trunk while in (D)rive? I didn't want to test at 75MPH.
Although a glob of putty isn't the most elegant solution, at this point I'd prefer not to bring it to the dealer because of the risk of them:
1. Not fixing it at all, and wasting time.
2. Making it worse.
3. Saying the speaker is blown and charging me for a new one.
4. Washing the car.
And you have no idea how close I came to opening my trunk on the freeway before I realized I might not want to apply too much pressure on the trunk button while driving!
Or maybe the car is smart enough to not open the trunk while in (D)rive? I didn't want to test at 75MPH.Although a glob of putty isn't the most elegant solution, at this point I'd prefer not to bring it to the dealer because of the risk of them:
1. Not fixing it at all, and wasting time.
2. Making it worse.
3. Saying the speaker is blown and charging me for a new one.
4. Washing the car.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: IE
Mercedes 2005 CLK55
Originally Posted by nicedeboy
I guess some idiots can not look down the list and see another person posted the same problem! JEEZ, its only a day or two OLD for goodness sake.
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by DiamondNoir2K5
Btw all, sticking a small piece of putty against the top corner of the speaker grille panel (the vertex where the grille, window/trunk control panel, and door panel meet), and it made my rattle go away mostly. There was still a little left, but putting my finger against the trunk button made that go away as well, so I think maybe I'll put a small bit of adhesive on the trunk button.
Although a glob of putty isn't the most elegant solution, at this point I'd prefer not to bring it to the dealer because of the risk of them:
1. Not fixing it at all, and wasting time.
2. Making it worse.
3. Saying the speaker is blown and charging me for a new one.
4. Washing the car.
Although a glob of putty isn't the most elegant solution, at this point I'd prefer not to bring it to the dealer because of the risk of them:
1. Not fixing it at all, and wasting time.
2. Making it worse.
3. Saying the speaker is blown and charging me for a new one.
4. Washing the car.
now i'm hearing rattling sounds from my trunk release button as well. Aside from the putty and tape solutions, has anybody brought theirs to the dealer and have them fix it?And if i decide to go with the putty solution, where do i get one? Does it come in black?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,304
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim California
2001 C320ss, 2005 Ford F150 Supercrew, GSXR,
Originally Posted by nicedeboy
I guess some idiots can not look down the list and see another person posted the same problem! JEEZ, its only a day or two OLD for goodness sake.
