knguyenk

Hi CL,

This is my first thread post on CL since stumbling across it after picking up my 2007 IS 250 AWD from Carmax with 69K+ miles on it back in the end of March. I absolutely love my car and I've learned so much about my car since finding this website and I want to thank CL for that.

My question to the community is that I've been wondering what is causing a buzzing noise that sounds like it is coming from the outside of the cabin, but it bleeds into the cabin. The best way to describe this sound is taking a thin piece of sheet metal and having a phone vibrate on top of the sheet. I cannot exactly pinpoint a location where it's coming from, thanks to the fact that the sound comes and goes intermittently and is difficult to replicate (I had my dad ride shotgun and it wouldn't appear then). Additionally, the sound comes when I either enter a corner when coming off the highway or when I'm taking a gentle corner at around 30 mph. It doesn't really make the sound when going straight it seems (it used to when I was putting throttle at around 30-40 mph).

I ruled out the stereo, A/C (as I drove this morning with the A/C off and then turned it on for the last bit of my drive and it happens whether the A/C is on or off), the plastic splash guard that covers the front underside where the oil filter is (lost a pin during an oil change and zip tied it down), and the exhaust from the Tanabe MT axle-back (made sure the bolts where tightened).

I do apologize for the long read, as being through will hopefully lead to a quicker answer to the problem and thank you again CL.

EDIT: The problem was from a rusted out heat shield clamp which explained the intermittent nature of the buzzing sound. The car is super quiet again.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Start by grabbing someone to come along with you. Find an empty parking lot. Do tight circles, since you say the sound appears to come when turning/cornering. Try to narrow down where the noise is coming from and report back.

GL!

nonford

iTrader: (1)

Check you heat shields above your cats and mufflers too and make sure they aint loose.

Genecc

turn off the fan in the seats

ghwanee

lol, this might sound funny but I heard the same buzzing noise when my wife got out of the car. I got frustrated at the sound and started checking everything until I turned off the fans for the seat and it disappeared.

knguyenk

I was able to make the sound with that.

Ironically it wasn't the heat shield that was causing it, but a rusted out heat shield clamp that was making the noise. I was able to get the car on the lift and banged on the exhaust till we noticed the rusted clamp.

Thanks a lot Gville350 and nonford.