Dashboard Chirping Noise!

This is a common problem. It is un-fixable. It usually occurs just after the car goes out of warranty... One of the worst things about Mustangs is the rattles and squeaks.

I have a rattle in there too... in between the console and the dash... impossible to get to.

I had the same problem, and thought it came from the dash vent area. It actually turned out to be the wiper cowl squeaking. Its the black plastic piece at the base of the windshield on the outside. It is held in by some metal clips that wear out after time and allow it to move enough to chirp. What I did, after searching through 100's of threads, was to remove the cowl piece, wrap some electrical tape (just a little bit) around those clips and then re-install it. It hasn't made the noise since. My wife's vert just started doing it to, so I have to try it out on hers soon.

Yeah I've got a cricket somewhere in my dash.

OMG!! I AM NOT ALONE!!!
My '04 has done that since new. I don't trust any techs other than myself, so I have left it alone. The Cowl comes off this weekend.

Be VERY CAREFUL removing the cowl.

It will crack VERY easily especially when cold, it costs $300+

The spring clips can fly off and disappear.

Use an actual trim removal tool and place a washcloth on the windshield to pry against to avoid scratching the glass.

So many things can go wrong when working with the cowl Do not ask me how I know this

Sorry, no rattles to speak of on my 2004 (daily driver, 16K miles). Maybe you clowns just beat on your cars too much.

I found that sometimes if I push on the trim piece around the ac controls/radio, that the cricket dies for a moment.....might have to look into the cowl.

4u2nv said:

Sorry, no rattles to speak of on my 2004 (daily driver, 16K miles). Maybe you clowns just beat on your cars too much.

Click to expand...

you just jinxed yourself

OleYellarGT said:

I found that sometimes if I push on the trim piece around the ac controls/radio, that the cricket dies for a moment.....might have to look into the cowl.

Click to expand...

There is a Ford serveric bulleting on that.
Call Ford Dealership, they will replace the trim and/or vents.

menasci said:

you just jinxed yourself

Click to expand...

menasci said:

There is a Ford serveric bulleting on that.
Call Ford Dealership, they will replace the trim and/or vents.

Click to expand...

I think their common fix for it is felt tape, believe it or not.

The TSB is for rattling vents. I had the dealer do it. All they did is replaced the center two vents with "updated units". It did help, but it had nothing to do with the "dashboard chirp". Not saying that it couldn't be it, but my vents ratted....not chirped.

• CLIMATE CONTROL—RATTLE NOISE FROM Article No.
INSTRUMENT PANEL VENTS—DIFFICULT TO 04-5-3
ADJUST
• NOISE—CLIMATE CONTROL—RATTLE NOISE
FROM INSTRUMENT PANEL VENTS—DIFFICULT TO
ADJUST
FORD: 2001-2004 MUSTANG
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME ISSUE
040503A Replace Barrel Vent 0.3 Hr. Some 2001-2004 Mustang vehicles may exhibit
(Includes Time To Replace climate control panel vents (barrel vent) with vanes
One Or All Vents) that are difficult to adjust, and/or may make a
DEALER CODING rattling type noise. This may be due to detachment
CONDITION of the air vanes from the pilot holes in the vent
BASIC PART NO. CODE housing.
19893 42
ACTION
To service, install revised vent (3R3Z-19893-AB).
The barrel vents are now sold and serviced
separately. Refer to the Service Procedure below.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Order replacement vent (3R3Z-19893-AB), one
(1) for each vent requiring replacement.
2. Remove the vent by prying it away with a flat
screwdriver (Figure 1).
3. Install the revised vent by pressing the new
vent into place (Figure 2).
4. Repeat Steps 1-3 as needed.
PART NUMBER PART NAME
3R3Z-19893-AB Vent Louvre Assembly
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of
New Vehicle Limited
Figure 1 - Article 04-5-3 Warranty Coverage
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do
the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper
vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers”. Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a
Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation
determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article.The information in this Technical Service Bulletin
(TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates.The most recent information is
available through Ford Motor Company’s on-line technical resources.
Copyright ã 2004 Ford Motor Company PAGE 1
Article No. 04-5-3 Cont’d.
Figure 2 - Article 04-5-3
PAGE 2

I have had the chirp(baby birds in my dash) periodically when driving highway...ever since I can remember on my '99. I think it has gotten better if not completely gone away on its own. Don't worry about it...just turn up the music or get a louder exhaust.

I wouldn't dare let them try to fix it...crack open my dash...no way.

i just hit my dash hard one day w/ my fist and it stopped

the only rattle i really notice is the e-brake handle. i just put my wallet there when i get in my car to silence it.

mkas_2003 said:

I have an 04 GT with about 37K on it. Around 20K I started to notice a chirping sound coming from inside the dashboard, between the gauges and the top vents. It is not specific to bumps, but usually does it between 50 and 75 mph and when it is cold out. Never notice it when it is warm (50 or higher). Very anoying!! Anyone have this or know how to fix it????

Click to expand...

Don't drive it when it's cold!

Mine has the same problem. So does my '92 Crown Vic. So did my '88 5.0. You'd think Ford would've found a fix by now...

I have this same chirp and about a million other rattles. I hate my car, wait no i love it, wait i hate it again. Stupid Ford, Sometimes i want to set it on fire and drive it through the CEO's living room and punch him in the grill for having such crap quality of interior.

if you have a grille delete then baby birds probably flew inside your engine and found their way into your dash somehow... hey, it could happen

Kilgore Trout said:

Be VERY CAREFUL removing the cowl.

It will crack VERY easily especially when cold, it costs $300+

Click to expand...

I broke mine too when I did my STB, but i think it's a bit cheaper at 50resto.com

Search for item # LRS-02228C $148.00

I have heard that some people take their dash or center console apart and apply double sided tape where the pieces make contact and that seems to work.

i turn the radio up.