I've read that the early models were prone to internal noise including rattling of dash...!

It sounds like "plastic" rubbing...coming from the plasic mold in-between the windshield and the foam dash. Its worse in the winter time as opposed to summer time for some reason.

Has anyone had this problem?

And more importantly, has anyone solved this? and if so how?

Please help - I appreciate any input anyone may have.

I LV this car, but I have drive fast to cover up the noise when I have a passenger.

 

I would also like to know if there is a fix for this. My 01 996 has the same rattle you are talking about. The former owner used a stethoscope to try and find the source of the problem and was unsuccessful.

 

Go to Renntech.org, they have all the TSB's for 996s and there are several on fixing dash squeaks. I think you will have to join to see the TSBs. Mostly consists of putting in felt like strips.

 

I had a similar noise many moons ago. I thought it was the dash, but it was actually the windshield.

Try this: get some Pedro's ice wax (from your local bike shop) and put it under the seal on the outside of your windshield. That is, on the outside of the car, there is a black seal around the windshield. Use a stiff kitchen spatula and lift the flap up just a bit. Squirt the Ice Wax under the entire seal around the windshield. Then go back with the spatula and kind of "mush" the ice wax in.

If the noise goes away, you have a bad windshield gasket. Cheap fix with the OEM rope gasket replacement. Takes about 30 minutes and bucket of soapy water. BUT, the ice wax treatment will last you a few months at least. You can simply reapply until you run out of the Wax - and then replace the gasket.

Here is my post from RennList about this very issue:

As it turns out in most cases -> the noise that appears to be from the dash is actually sound from the windshield moving and creaking. This was a common complaint with the 993. It reappears in some older 996's (mine included). The "6420" is a technical bulletin (Technical Service Bulletin-> TSB) put out by Porsche addressing this problem. TSB 6420 called "Noises in the Wind Shield and Rear Window Area". You can get it TSB's from Renntech. If you haven't joined there, you should, it's a great resource. http://www.renntech.org/forums/index...tsbs&code=menu

If you read the TSB, to fix this you need part number 996 541 903 00. One per windshield. It costs $15.00 from pelican parts, or any other parts place (even the dealer). It takes 15 minutes to do it yourself - all all you need is a spatula and a bucket of soapy water.

Now the reason that I said it was a good thread - was because you would never find the right search phrase "6420" without some SERIOUS hunting. Now ask me how I know

-td <-- replaced the gasket and there were no more creaks -> dash, windshield, headliner, or other

 

Again, thank you!

I will try what you suggested.
This is a great forum!

 

Himself, thank you, thank you, thank you. I contributed to RennTech, downloaded the TSB with 6040, ordered the 'rope gasket' installed it in 20 Min and "Presto" no more squeaky friggin dash. The source of my frustration, constent dash noise. has vanished! There are a couple or small noises but the vast majority are gone. The interior cabin is 10x more pleasant to be in and my 99 C2 feels 5 years newer. Thanks again. This is a great forum!

 

Great! Glad it worked out!

Where are you in Dallas? There are a few of us in the DFW area.

-td

 

Frankford and Preston, do you guys meet?

 

Every now and again we have a get together, maybe a Hooters lunch.

-td

 

I'm in, let me know.

 

+1 for the hooters

 

Although I'll bet the other guys solved your problem, FWIW, I had a rattle that was driving me crazy - turned out to be the EZPass rattling in it's plastic holder that was suction cupped to the windshield.

 

That is FUNNY!

Let us know if the windshield fix takes car of this. I have a small rattle that I can't pinpoint.