Hi all, just purchased a 2013 C300 4Matic Sport, and I am noticing a rattling, crackling sound around the dashboard/console area as I drive -- gets a bit more consistent and audible as I drive on the highway or above 30 to 60 mph. It seems to be louder or more present when the air is blowing through the vents, but not always. Usually comes and stays after about 1 mile of driving. Any ideas what that is? I'm taking it in to look at (already!) at the dealership in a week, but they say it may be hard to diagnosis. My fear is the noise won't produce when I try to show them, although I've already videotaped it, so they know. Thoughts anyone? I'm a first time MB owner, and I'm a little surprised this has come up. Thanks!

Dave C.

 

Hopefully just a rattle that can be fixed with some foam etc.

The main thing is to be very firm with the dealer about fixing it.

Don't be put off.Keep hounding them until you are happy .

 

So I have an '08 C300 and have the same issue. Sounds like it is coming from the drivers side under the grille area where the dash meets the windshield. Is it possible to pop that off easily to investigate? Happens when the music is off as well and usually at highway speeds.

 

I've noticed today, there hasn't been much crackling or rattling at all while driving in city limits in cold weather. I imagine it will rattle up again if I drive in the highway. I'll see the dealer this week, but I'm afraid there won't be any rattling then. We'll see. Not sure how the dash would be removed, but I wouldn't do it myself for sure. And thanks for the advice Austrailia!

 

albert101 is the noise, rattle and squeak guru, check out this thread. One is in awe of his dedication to the obtention of Mercedes silence!

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w204...anel-flex.html

 

Usually happens when temperature changes in the cabin. Mine does it a lot during the summer and my a/c is up. But if its a constant loud noise then it's worth the check.

 

My does it too, only when it's cold

 

Awesome find! I will bookmark that for sure. I must say that here I am 4 months into my first Benz and I'm dealing with things like this :/ hopefully I can sort it out over my Christmas break

Also snowmuch, I am pretty sure that I didn't notice the sounds till it got cold too... hmm

 

Yes, too bad about the W204, having a lowly FORD mid-sized sedan with S-Class levels of silence and ride, even after 8 years, it is FAR quieter than the NEW Merc. Only the Honda Accord is noisier in the squeak and rattle department.

 

If you have an EZ-pass for toll roads, that holder was driving us crazy. I had narrowed the noise down to the rear mirror mount (never saw the EZ-pass there).

.

 

Okay, found out that the crackling sound was from a cover for a battery(its?) underneath the hood, under the dash of the car that was loose. Also some wire they secured under the dash found under the hood (under the dash area). Now there's no rattling sound! Glad I had it taken care of pronto. Thanks for your responses!

 

This may be similar to what you are talking about: I have a 2008 C300 and whenever I listen to Sirius XM, sometimes I hear a popping or crackling noise. I have isolated the incident, and it appears to be due to the signal from the station. Strange, huh? I never have this issue when playing via my AUX. Anyone else ever have this intermittent/sporadic issue?

 

I have the exact same scenario. I really don't know what to do besides not listen to the satellite radio that I've already paid a year for.

 

Maybe we should call Sirius XM and maybe they can adjust our signal or something? It only seems to happen on one or two stations for me, as far as I can tell...

 

Possibly, I might try to do the signal reset thing you can send to your stereo via their website. I'll post back if that does anything.

 

Yeah! That's what I was thinking of. Let me know!

 

Did the reset, so far so good...

 

Keep us posted.

 

I notice this crackling as well and was wondering if it had to do with earths axis change for Siris/XM satelite's position during fall/winter and the horizion?

 

Since I've done the reset it seems ok. Hopefully it wont come back, but I just don't see why this is such an issue that has no answer as it seems.

 

Got an update on my noises, the satellite reset HAS worked for roughly a week, no pops. As far as my sound coming from inside the dashboard on drivers side, I took the grille off and still had the rattle sound. I'm at a loss for what it could be. All there is under it is air vents.

 

Just a thought, but could this noise be the auto a/c changing the air flow exits as the temp changes in the car interior?!?

 

That thought also went through my mind. I wasn't really sure how to go about testing that though.

 

Get into the car, turn on the a/c or heating on auto mode seat tight inside the car for about 20 minutes and wait for the a/c change the air flow throughout the vents. If you hear the noise, voila!!!!

 

Yea, I tried this earlier today and it did appear to go away when I set the air to open that vent. I'll look into it some more in the next few days.