Passenger airbag dash cover, does it pop off or go boom!

[CanuckQx4]

I have a nasty a** dash rattle, sounds like its coming from the passenger side of the dash close to the windshield. Ive tried removing the window vents and holding/foam stuffing everything I can access, even pulled the glovebox out and lower passenger dash to see if it was the fan blower and such, no luck, seems to be above that, and only is around at idle, and goes away with the littlest touch of the gas, but damn is it annoying.

The cover on the dash for the passenger airbag seems to be a good point to check the last place it could be without removing the entire dash itself, I didnt want to tamped with it before confirming it simply popped out of the dash without deploying the airbag or if it was attached to the airbag at all.

So, is it safe??

[CanuckQx4]

rattle is killing me

I actually turn my car off at longer stoplights lol

[Towncivilian]

Try shifting into neutral to see if the rattle goes away, maybe that'll save you from shutting off your car. And I don't know about the cover, sorry.

[CanuckQx4]

nope, rattle stays in nuetral aswell

I really just want to pop that cover up if its possible

[Towncivilian]

From the exploded parts view (bottommost one) it looks like it's one entire entity, including the cover.

[Pathofinder]

I would think it was seperate, that picture shows it may be held from screws from underneath??

I want to take mine off aswell and clean it good between the cracks, lots of gunk buildup on mine Ill be watching this thread!!

[Towncivilian]

I'm not sure about that. The part is 98515 Pathfinder MODULE ASSY-AIR BAG,ASSIST in the exploded view, which leads me to believe it's one entire unit.

[Towncivilian]

I found a TSB related to a rattle from the right hand dash area:

NHTSA Reference
#620003
TSB Reference
#NTB01013

"SERVICE INFORMATION RELATING TO VARIOUS SQUEAK / RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT HAND DASH AREA."

Can't find a PDF unfortunately - you may have better luck.

[K03sport]

I have a nasty a** dash rattle, sounds like its coming from the passenger side of the dash close to the windshield. Ive tried removing the window vents and holding/foam stuffing everything I can access, even pulled the glovebox out and lower passenger dash to see if it was the fan blower and such, no luck, seems to be above that, and only is around at idle, and goes away with the littlest touch of the gas, but damn is it annoying.

The cover on the dash for the passenger airbag seems to be a good point to check the last place it could be without removing the entire dash itself, I didnt want to tamped with it before confirming it simply popped out of the dash without deploying the airbag or if it was attached to the airbag at all.

So, is it safe??

Looking at the FSM, it appears to be one piece. The cover will pop up, but remained attached along the back part (closest to windshield. Are you sure it is the cover and not a wire harness or bundle of wires. Have you thought about using a stethoscope or other listening device to help narrow down the sound location, obviously not while driving.

[Towncivilian]

I found the TSB associated with a right hand dash squeak. You can download it here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V1OAVR74

It looks like a giant pain just to solve one squeak, though.

[Chris.m]

Just to answer the title, it goes boom.
Here is what I found at the junkyard today