Windshield/Dash Ticking

[spyder]

Hey All.

From day one of getting my Mazdaspeed 3 I have noticed a ticking/rattle noise which I think is coming from the windshield. It is not constant, and is not an engine noise. It only comes when I go over a bumpy ground or drive over uneven dips on the road. I can even go slowly over a speed bump and I still get this ticking noise. I have no idea what it is. I am thinking it is the outside cowling resting on the dash but again I am not sure. When I took my car in for a CEL issue 2 days ago, they drove me to work in a Mazda 5 and not even 30 seconds off the dealership and I heard exactly the same ticking noise. I quickly ask the Mazda driver about that noise and he looked at me like I was only hearing that it my head. Any of you guys get this noise in your cars speed and regular models?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Spyder

[FLIPDADY]

I've had a rattle/tick in my 3 since day 1. I just turn up the music and ignore it.

[BigD]

I've got the same sound on my 3.
I thought it was just that is was colder and the plastic was not as soft on the dash.
Oh well ::)

[silversurfer]

i think i'm hearing the same noise but it's not a constant. I tend to hear it on colder days.

[SonicBoy]

I was just about to post the very same thing.

I have a 07 Mazda3 GT and a 06 Mazda 5 GT. Both have started to make the same very noise since it has started to get cold.

It sounds like metal coming in contact with the glass like there is no rubber seal. I think it is the plastic dash cover hitting the glass.

As I see from the above posts, this appears to be a common thing with Mazda 3/5s.

Annoying but no, you are not hearing things.

Hope this helps.

[southpawboston]

hi all,

new here and not a toronto resident, but i was searching around for infor regarding this problem. my late-build (March) 2006 started getting the dreaded dash/windshield tick/creak about a month ago, and it has only been getting worse. i've ruled out the dash pushing against the windshield. there is a long strip of foam rubber that insulates the windhsield from the dash. i haven't ruled out the outside cowl trim, but i am planning to bring the car to the dealer to have them take a look. it does it pretty much all the time now, and is driving me nuts. it's like trying to sleep knowing you have a dripping faucet keeping you up... you begin to obsess on it.

has anyone thus far tried to go to the dealer with the problem? any success?

[Chillyballs]

I have the same problem. Sounds more like a creaking type of tick - if that makes sense. My M3 just started doing this about a month ago in the front driver side of the dash/windshield area. It is very annoying. It occurs usually when it's colder than -5 or so.

Anyway, I had this exact same noise coming from the rear of the car - behind the rear seats. I thought it was just plastic rubbing but narrowed it down to the actual sheet metal rubbing against eachother between the spot welds. This one was quite loud compared to the noise in the front but nonetheless it was similar. I took it in to the dealership and they diagnosed the issue very quickly (without my mentioning of it possibly being the sheet metal structure). Their remedy was 'relieved stress in spot welds near rear pillar'. I inspected it and all they did was ram a flat-head screwdriver and pry the metal apart between the spot welds while scratching the piss out of the primer (surface rust already showing) - not very professional looking if you ask me. There are professional ways of alleviating 'chassis creak' - typically using a small piece of wood with a dead blow hammer.

Anyway, that was my first post ever (whoohoo!) - let me know if any of you have luck taking this in to the dealership.

Cheers

[3GFX]

The front creaking is just the plastic expanding and contracting as for the rear there is a possible fix:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/mazda3/docs/0046.pdf

[EvilEric]

I've never heard anything like that at all. I've got a Mazda 3 sedan 2006.

[CanadaGTO]

I get the same thing in my MS3 on cold days..... Not gonna worry too much unless it keeps happening when it warms up.

[brecker]

It's the cowl rubbing against the windshield. Lots of folks are complaining on the mazda3forums. Some are having success putting rubber between the cowl and the windshield.

[Mr. Dalvin]

I've got the same noise. Really annoying. It happens over every bump and has become a lot worse over the last couple of days . . . I guess cuz it has gotten a lot colder. I've got an '07 Sport GT . . . and have only had it for 6 days :bang

[mazda lover]

It's the cowl rubbing against the windshield. Lots of folks are complaining on the mazda3forums. Some are having success putting rubber between the cowl and the windshield.


No noise here. 05
Becker is right go to mazda3forum and do a search.

[ecokenny]

Super annoying.

Later I found out it was from my winter wiper (particularly on the passenger side, that's why I tend to hear the ticking from the glove box area). Because I have replaced my windshield with an aftermarket after it was cracked by a stone chip. However, after my investigation, I realize my wiper blade was not firmly and completely sitting on the windshield due the windshield is more steeply curved toward the side .... making my wiper blade sticking out and causing rattling and shifting of the blades when it comes to bumpy road. I will consider to replace them to the ones that curve better with the windshield after this winter.

But yeah, give it a try and see if it is the wiper blades.

[Redhouse]

I had a similar noise a while back. I ended up taking out my glove box and tightening the joints up with foam tape to prevent plastic-plastic rubbing.
In my case it was the joint on the left side of the glovebox that was having a little slip that caused some noise over bumps. And while I had my dash partly open I tightened a few other things up, but that seam was the main one.

[spyder]

Well I have finally gotten rid of my windshield/Dash ticking noise. It was due to some cowl plastic insulator pads and hoooks. The dealership never found this fix in their system but I printed off the fix from mazda3forums.com http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=63178.msg1936973#msg1936973and they ordered the parts and put it in. I think the reason why they did it is due to my tech is also a MS3 owner and I guess he wanted to see if it worked before he messed around with his own car. BTW the teck has made his own front mount intercooler.

So get this fix if the ticking is driving you nuts and get it done before it warms up otherwise you will not know if it fixed it.

Cheers!

Spyder

[Garu]

Which dealer was this?

[cwp_sedan]

+1 on the cowl fix. I have yet to get mine done but I went to MOT complaining of a similar noise and they said they know what the fix for it is. I ran out of time but am brining it back to have it fixed at a later date.

[Garu]

+1 on the cowl fix. I have yet to get mine done but I went to MOT complaining of a similar noise and they said they know what the fix for it is. I ran out of time but am brining it back to have it fixed at a later date.

Dude, who did you talk to? I just called MOT, they listened to me as if I was talking in some foreign language.

[cwp_sedan]

Dude, who did you talk to? I just called MOT, they listened to me as if I was talking in some foreign language.

Vincent all the way.

[Garu]

When's your appointment? Keep me informed if you have them fixed.

[cwp_sedan]

When's your appointment? Keep me informed if you have them fixed.

I need to get my windshield changed first but when I do I will shoot you a PM.

[theurgy]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
I'll be bringing this up to my dealership for sure..

[FLIPDADY]

I have these in stock.

They are 8 little insulators for the cowl.

[Garu]

NICE!
Thanks Joe!

[spyder]

Which dealer was this?

I got the fix from Ajax Mazda by Steve (a Mazda Tech) but I had to bring the info to them. But once they read it it wasn't a problem at all.

Just as an aside. I am now getting Steve at Ajax to do all my work for warranty and non warranty stuff. I think he knows a lot more about the MS3 since Steve is also a serious MS3 owner. Steve also owns his own shop where he has just finished (or almost finished) working on the fastest SRT Neon in Ontario (i think). Secondly he has modded his own MS3 with a custom front mount inter-cooler and exhaust setup that sounds awesome. If any of you are interested in Steve working on your cars, I can ask for permission to either post his contact info on this forum or PM people specifically if they want his info.

Cheers!

Spyder

[Fobio]

Thanks guys! I'll be bringing this to my dealer ASAP. This is the majorpiss off for me so far.

[Fobio]

OK..got this done at Downtown Mazda (I'll review the dealership shortly, if needed) along w/ first oil change...

1. They did not know about it until I brought them the TSB.
2. When I showed it to them 2 days prior (so they'll have the part read), they acknowledged someone else mentioned it.
3. Still needed to "find it" this morning.
4. Fixed it (now it's very sturdy, no movement if you play with it yourself)
5. Afterwards, cautioned me, that if there are further "dash" rattles, that my "heavily modified" (I have the OEM Japanparts dash box w/ Navi installed) will have to be brough back to "manufacturer's spec".

hmm...

sometimes, my barber suggests I get a different cut...in the back of my mind, I'm telling him to STFU and just cut my hair...

[Garu]

OK..got this done at Downtown Mazda (I'll review the dealership shortly, if needed) along w/ first oil change...

1. They did not know about it until I brought them the TSB.
2. When I showed it to them 2 days prior (so they'll have the part read), they acknowledged someone else mentioned it.
3. Still needed to "find it" this morning.
4. Fixed it (now it's very sturdy, no movement if you play with it yourself)
5. Afterwards, cautioned me, that if there are further "dash" rattles, that my "heavily modified" (I have the OEM Japanparts dash box w/ Navi installed) will have to be brough back to "manufacturer's spec".

hmm...

sometimes, my barber suggests I get a different cut...in the back of my mind, I'm telling him to STFU and just cut my hair...

Hrmf, how typical.

[Speedy2008]

OK..got this done at Downtown Mazda (I'll review the dealership shortly, if needed) along w/ first oil change...

1. They did not know about it until I brought them the TSB.
2. When I showed it to them 2 days prior (so they'll have the part read), they acknowledged someone else mentioned it.
3. Still needed to "find it" this morning.
4. Fixed it (now it's very sturdy, no movement if you play with it yourself)
5. Afterwards, cautioned me, that if there are further "dash" rattles, that my "heavily modified" (I have the OEM Japanparts dash box w/ Navi installed) will have to be brough back to "manufacturer's spec".

hmm...

sometimes, my barber suggests I get a different cut...in the back of my mind, I'm telling him to STFU and just cut my hair...

I also have the same rattles during cold weather. Don't know if they're annoying enough for me to get them fixed though. The thought of someone messing around with my car makes me anxious. Based on your experience, it seems as though they do not really care; instead it sounds like they want you to disappear. A further review of your experience is needed. I've said it before & I'll say it again, I will never return to Downtown Mazda.

[M3!]

OK..got this done at Downtown Mazda (I'll review the dealership shortly, if needed) along w/ first oil change...

There is already a review on here about Downtown Mazda, consensus is stay away from them. Customer Service is horrible.

[zoomsterAU]

Hey All.

From day one of getting my Mazdaspeed 3 I have noticed a ticking/rattle noise which I think is coming from the windshield. It is not constant, and is not an engine noise. It only comes when I go over a bumpy ground or drive over uneven dips on the road. I can even go slowly over a speed bump and I still get this ticking noise. I have no idea what it is. I am thinking it is the outside cowling resting on the dash but again I am not sure. When I took my car in for a CEL issue 2 days ago, they drove me to work in a Mazda 5 and not even 30 seconds off the dealership and I heard exactly the same ticking noise. I quickly ask the Mazda driver about that noise and he looked at me like I was only hearing that it my head. Any of you guys get this noise in your cars speed and regular models?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Spyder

Any news on the noise?

[RemaerdLacidar]

Any news on the noise?

Umm... did you bother reading the thread AT ALL ?

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

I too have this same rattle in my 2008.5 MS3 that sounded like it was coming from the windshield or dash when i was driving over road imperfections, but i couldn't pinpoint it.

I only started to hear this problem yesterday, likely as a result of the colder temps, but it was pissing me off big time. I am really glad to hear there is a known fix for this and I will be taking it into the dealer this week to have it addressed.

[mazdas3sporte]

i have similar ticking problem but iam 99% sure its coming from engine, they installed insulation somewhre in the engine which coverd up the noise by 1 percent, yes 1 percent not 10..... worthless idiots and dufferin mazda

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

i have similar ticking problem but iam 99% sure its coming from engine, they installed insulation somewhre in the engine which coverd up the noise by 1 percent, yes 1 percent not 10..... worthless idiots and dufferin mazda

Your ticking problem is likely not the same as being discussed here unles it only happens when you go over small bumps and road imperfections.

Here, you might find this link useful. Also try a search on "engine ticking" for lots more info.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=25018

[mazdas3sporte]

i looked at all the posts lol, i probbebly spent a good 2 hours goin over the post here and on mazda 3 axela forums, i dont think there is a real fix for it al all, i filed a compaint recently so iam waiting to see how far that will take me