strange behind the dash rattle
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 46
Likes: 6
From: Maine
2004 Mercedes Benz CLK 32, 2014 Mercedes Benz ML5500
strange behind the dash rattle
My "new" 320 CLK now has just over 1200 miles on it since it was delivered. The car is a 2004 which had 17600 miles on it when it was delivered to me the end of May. I have an odd rattle that has developed behind the dashboard on the passenger side. This "rattle" sounds like a plastic cable rapidly striking a plastic surface and appears at very low rpm....around 900 or so...and disappears with increase in engine speed. It is not present while driving at normal speeds. It is unaffected by the speed of the air conditioning fan, but it does sound almost like flexible fan blades that are striking something as the fan spins. This noise appeared after driving the car a few hundred miles. I wonder if any one has an opinion about this or has had a similar experience. The car is otherwise running and performing as a Mercedes with 18000 miles should.
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 6
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2005 CLK500 Cabriolet
I had a sound very similar to this, in the same exact area. And it was my blower motor fan, guessing it was the bearings or something
Once I changed the fan, it went away. With your mileage it does seem beyond early for it to be the fan.
The fan seems to be a very cheaply made part overall however
Once I changed the fan, it went away. With your mileage it does seem beyond early for it to be the fan.
The fan seems to be a very cheaply made part overall however
Last edited by FlyNikolai; Jul 31, 2020 at 12:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 46
Likes: 6
From: Maine
2004 Mercedes Benz CLK 32, 2014 Mercedes Benz ML5500
I really think it is the blower motor fan. It may be that it is loosely mounted and only rattles at low rpm. Once the car is moving a normal speeds the rattling sound goes away. It is getting worse with time, though. Thanks for your reply.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 12
From: TN
CLK500/w209, E350/w211
If not the fan motor bearings, then possibly the squirrel cage is very close to the heater box housing. Occasionally when I turn hard left at moderate speed I hear a rubbing from the fan cage. Didn't do that before I was messing around in the footwell.
Kinda like when I would push the clutch on my 55 Chevy and the horn would blow (bare wire that contacted a bare spot on the horn lead). Good times.
Kinda like when I would push the clutch on my 55 Chevy and the horn would blow (bare wire that contacted a bare spot on the horn lead). Good times.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 46
Likes: 6
From: Maine
2004 Mercedes Benz CLK 32, 2014 Mercedes Benz ML5500
I am thinking I should be able find the issue and repair it. Do you know how to drop the glove box? I suspect it's INside the car behind it. I also have a disc player in there, too.
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 6
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2005 CLK500 Cabriolet
Just take those out & pull the cover down and forward. Don't tug too hard I think it's a bit easy to rip. Then you'll have access to the fan, and that area of the car. Guess you can shake around a bit & see if anything is loose
There's 5 torx screws that secure the fan. I just did this job last month, it's not difficult but the position you have to contort your body is lol ahaha. I was definitely twisted & uncomfortable
Posted some pics for you
Last edited by FlyNikolai; Jul 31, 2020 at 12:56 PM.
