I took my car into Honda the other day where a friend of mine from high school works as a tech. I've been having some creaking noises coming from the console / radio area as I drive over bumps or simply accelerate quickly.

We took off the shifter panel, ash tray, storage box (under the radio) and the radio, and placed padding where we thought the sound was coming from. Apparently we were wrong and tonight I seem to have discovered the sound coming from closer to the driver seat.

I'm almost positive now that it comes from the black side of the console right where the driver seat heater switch is located (where the black meets the chrome trim). I'm pretty sure I can take apart the top panels again (ie the shift knob panel and all that) but I think the sound is coming from where the black console panel (on the side) connects to the dashboard panel.

If you guys need pics I can take some but I'll edit a diagram to point out the area I'm talking about (circled in red). The diagram shows the passenger side but the problem I'm having is on the driver's side.

Does anybody know of a way to take off maybe the dash panel so that I can stick something between the black dash panel and the black console panel to hopefully prevent this sound? Also, would electrical tape suffice? I need a material that isn't thick and would prevent the two panels from touching and I don't have any thin foam.

Here's a link to the diagram in case the attachment doesn't work: diagram (http://img388.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hondaconsolediagram14sda01b374.gif)


Thanks
Nick

center console removal:

Special Tools Required
KTC trim tool set SOJATP2014
NOTE:

Take care not to scratch the front seat, dashboard, and related parts.

Use the appropriate tool from the KTC trim tool set to avoid damage when prying components.

M/T model: Remove the shift knob (A).

-1 Lower the shift lever boot (B) to release the hooks (C) from the knob.
-2 Remove the shift knob.

Detach the clips (A, B) by pulling the center console front panel (C) up. If equipped, disconnect the seat heater switch connectors (D).

Pry up on the right of the console pocket (A) with a trim tool, and detach the clips, then remove the pocket.

Remove the screws (A), detach the clips (B) and hook (C) by pulling the center holder (D) up, and disconnect the front accessory power socket connector (E).

Detach the clips (A, B) by pulling the center console rear panel (C) up.

Remove the center console (A).

-1 Open the console box lid (B) then remove the console mat (C).
-2 If equipped, disconnect the rear accessory power socket connector (D), and detach the clip (E).
-3 Remove the screws (F, G), then pull the rear portion of the console up to release the hooks (H), then remove it.

Install the console in the reverse order of removal, and check the clips for damage or stress-whitening, and replace them with new ones.

Wow, those diagrams are great. The only one I really needed was the last one, but I greatly appreciate your posts. Where did you find those, anyway?

I definitely think the sound is coming from where the center console connects to the dash board. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to take out the center console and try putting something between it. I'll let you guys know how it looks.

Also, do you know where I can find a diagram to remove my right (passenger side) headlight?


Thanks
Nick

I get the instructions from the onsite manual for the techs.... So I guess they'd be Helms instructions & diagrams... :dunno: since they are the same as I've seen in the books.

Hope you find it!!

Oh nice, thanks.

For anyone who sees this and is interested, the site for Helm's is: http://www.helminc.com. I'm checking it out right now.

Princess, did you scan those diagrams or do you have them from a website somewhere? I'm not very interested in spending $30-60 for a book.


Nick

Well I took everything apart and tried putting some little strips of foam between the console and the dash, but it didn't fix the problem.

I just used a metal file and filed down a little bit of both of the hooks on the left console side because they were showing wear as if the whole piece did not fit properly. This leads me to believe that possibly the hooks are the problem. I've given up for the day, but I left most of it unassembled so that maybe tomorrow I'll be able to work on it some more.


This is so annoying.
Nick

Hopefully your next attempt will prove succesfull!! :)

I don't know if it's necessarily the screw on the driver side (or the part that the screw goes into), but it doesn't make the noise when the screw is taken out. Considering there's already hooks there holding the piece in place, do you think it would do any harm to leave the screw out as a remedy to my problem?

Tomorrow I'm going to have a closer look at the screw hole and see maybe why it's popping like that - I think it may just be that my leg has rested against this area long enough to have pushed the screw into an akward position or perhaps the entire console sits differently than before and there's too much pressure put onto the screw area. In either case, it seems the problem is the screw.