going over bumps I have a rattle in the dashboard that sounds like a rod or a cable or stiff wire hitting something. I cannot exactly pinpoint the location but it appears to come from the upper right side of the steering wheel/ left side of the temp control button inside
Has anybody ever opened the dashboard? Maybe there is some access from the radio to "look" or feel into the guts
I checked - it is not the key rattling although the sound is like a plastic fob hitting the dash but from the inside.
There is no play in the steering column and I have nothing loose laying in the storage compartments

 

this post https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...e-driving.html shows you how to get behind the dashboard. Hope it helps.

 

thanks,
pretty intimitating, especially when you are not familiar with the tech talk.
I do not have NAV, which was the thread all about.
But I will keep the info. For the time being I will not go to the dealer, I have some other options when I get ready to change the headunit.

 

Several easy DIY videos available. Here's one:

 

The issue might be related to this TSB.

For what it's worth the issue (in my car) seems the most pronounced around 7 degrees C / 45 degrees F. And I can stop the rattle by gently pulling the steering wheel towards me, or putting my hand on the bottom side crack between the steering wheel and the steering column shroud.

This issue affects the 98-2004 LSs and the parts to fix it cost $10 at most. But the job takes around two hours.

Which should really make you think about how much you hate the rattle. Personally, once I found out why it was rattling and how involved the fix would be, I was much less bothered by the rattle.

Hope this helps!

 

the noise is not in the steering column. It is only when I drive over a bump or hit a rough section on the road.
Take your hand and tap the fingernail gently against the table edge

 

@ #5
can you tell me more about that part (any part nr.) where it is located, what it looks like or any detailed info?
Come to think of it, it did not do it when it was warm weather, now that we are in the 3-7C it happened.