ml30306

I own a 2004 Lexus ES330 with about 105k miles. The car has given me no issues until about six months ago. I started hearing a vibrating noise from behind the dashboard under the following conditions:

- When the temperature is colder/engine is cold
- When my foot is on the break. When I release very slowly and hold the noise is loudest.
- When I have the foot on the break and the car is in reverse.
The sound is there when cold staring and low rpm's
- The loud sound behind the dashboard goes away after about 10 minutes driving. However, when I am at a full stop, foot on break, then press the gas pedal the same sound (almost feels like it is coming from the gas pedal) will be there and quickly go away as soon as I hit higher rpm's. So the vibration is there just when I accelerate

The noise sounds like a e.g. business card somewhere stuck in the AC unit and vibrates when air comes through. I have removed the AC control, radio, and upper exhaust vent units but could not find the origin of the sound. I also can't really hear the sound when I open the hood, It is most audible when sitting inside the car. Location sounds like dead center behind the center dash, could be wrong though.

I have also had a certifies Toyota/Lexus shop try to isolate the noise, they could not find it and said they would have to remove the dash to do so.

I have seen a number of servo motor posts and videos and my noise does not sound like a "hyper-active" fan. I read that sometimes noises (not sure what kind) can be caused by warped front disks (which mine are a bit, when breaking I feel the car vibrating a bit). In addition, I have some noise coming from the steering wheel at times (different sound, more like an occasional rattle).

I think the noise is either connected either to my breaking, accelerating, or really something stuck in the ventilation system BUT can't just find anything. Any ideas?

ml30306

98 views, no replies or suggestions - I may have a first here or this is the wrong forum ...

PFB

Just a heads up that the actual source of a sound could be totally misleading you.

You could jump up and down convinced that it's coming from behind the dash, but in reality it could be caused by a loose exhaust for example,

I'm not saying that you're wrong, I'm just advising you to expand your search of the cause to ALL parts of the car. If you can pinpoint the circumstances under which the noise manifests itself it's even better.

A helper listener, or two, could help greatly.

If you could also post a clear audio recording of the sound, it may help greatly.

Good luck

Phil

ES300NZ

this isn't really the sort of issue an internet forum can help with, moreover since people in real life can't seem to assist remote people on the interwebs aren't likely to be able to either.

ml30306

Hello Phil,

you are absolutely right - the source could easily be somewhere else, it is simply most audible through the dash. As stated I did remove the AC control and the radio and could not trace the sound there. A loose exhaust would make sense - noise on start-up, sounds gets weaker as it gets warm. Thanks for your advice here a recording of the sound.

ml30306

@ES300NZ - I disagree. This type of Forum could easily help since the likelihood of this sound occurring for the very first time in a Lexus ES330 are very slim. I see this Forum as a shared experience and DIY resource and its content should not be reduced to merely switching out a burnt light bulb or only post-diagnosis fixes.

ES300NZ

you have to admit it's kind of a long shot :P

ml30306

One more thing I discovered today: In Park, foot slightly on the break and the noise at its loudest and I move the steering wheel slightly from side to side the noise disappears. As soon as I stop the motion the sound comes back.