Dash noise

[mweston]

Just bought a 2004 GX7 that we love. 106,000. We get a fairly significant sqeaking/rattling type noise that seems to be coming from just above the middle of the dash (above the GPS screen).

It seems to calm down a bit after the car has been driven for 10-12 minutes but it never completely goes away?

thanks

Michael

[Lexus Owners Club]

Hi.....welcome to the Club

Does it seem to make any difference if it is hot inside the car as opposed to cold, e.g. does temperature make a difference and if so, maybe it is an interference of the two materials contacting and goes away once expansion occurs as it warms up?

 

[mweston]

It's a little tough to say about the coldness of the air because it'll be a while before warmer weather shows up here.  It does seem that the noise calms down a bit the longer we drive the vehicle. So, after 10 minutes of driving, it is not as bad but it is still there.

I do wonder if it is expansion and contraction of parts in or under the dash. My mechanic theorized that it might be a fan that expands or contracts and shifts ever so slightly in it's rotation,  which causes the initial noise and then goes away, as the fan blade shifts again.

Are there any engine parts behind the dash right there like a water pump or drive belts or something?

 

Thanks

[Lexus Owners Club]

As far as I am aware there are not any pumps or belts behind the dash but there are motors to direct the vents and flaps and these can be heard when the ignition is switched on / off.
 

[mweston]

Makes sense it might be one of those door flap motors for the vents. We'll wait until warmer Spring temps and see if they are quieter. If not, we may just need to pull the dash and possibly replace one or more of those motors. Thanks for the help!