Solution: Rattle/Squeak in center console of 07 Camry

[ToyotaCarFan]

I have diagnosed and developed a solution to the rattle/squeak that emanated from my 2007 Camry XLE V6 center console and would like to share it with others so they can benefit from it.

NOTE: Although this rattle/squeak emanates from the center console, I actually thought it came from the rear seat-back area, due to the way sound bounces around inside cars. So, if you think you have a rattle from somewhere else in your car, consider checking as follows:

To determine if you have this rattle:

While driving over rough roads or bumps that you know cause the rattle/squeak to occur, press down firmly on the leftmost edge of the faux wood trim surrounding the gear shifter. If the noise goes away, then the fix described below is applicable to your problem.

Method:

1. Remove the shift-gate garnish (the faux wood trim on the center console through which the gear shift protrudes):

A. Firmly apply the parking brake, shift to Park, and shut off the engine.

B. Unscrew the gear shift knob and remove it.

C. Pull off the two thin vertical trim pieces (about 5" high) located at the very front of the center console, at the bottom of the center stack, on either side of the flip-open door of the cubby-hole that contains the audio input jack and cigarette lighter jack.

D. Reach into the rear opening in the shift gate where the gear shift protrudes, and pull the faux wood trim garnish up. The rear edge should pop up easily. It will not be possible to completely remove the garnish yet, because the gear shifter is in the way.

E. Press the shift-lock-override button and shift the shifter into N. The override button is located under the garnish to the left-front of the shifter hole. It's right under the 1/4" by 1/2" silver plastic panel on the garnish that has the notch in it for removal with a screwdriver.

F. Pop out the shift-gate garnish completely and remove it. If you have heated seats, remove the electrical harness from the seat heater switch by pressing the tab on the connector and pulling it out.

2. Refer to the picture below to see where the rattle/squeak is coming from. The black plastic tab from the PRNDL legend panel is rubbing against the clear plastic light-guide.



3. Apply adhesive-backed felt to the area shown in the picture below. I used a "Dr. Scholl's" shoe cushion insert for this purpose. This can be found at Wal-Mart or any drug store in the foot-care section. The felt is about 1-2 mm thick, and has a sturdy adhesive backing. Cut it to the desired size (about 1/4" square) with scissors.

A. Remove the clear plastic light-guide by gently prying away the tan plastic tabs shown in the above picture using a screwdriver. Set it aside.

B. Cut the felt to size (1/4" square).

C. Affix the felt to the area of the black plastic tab shown in the photo below.





4. Reinstall the clear plastic light-guide by inserting the tabs on the left and then pressing down on the right until it clicks. (See first photo.)

The finished product is shown in the photo below.



5. Reinstall the faux wood shift gate garnish.

A. Connect the seat heater harness (if applicable).

B. Snap the garnish into place on the center console.

C. Snap the two vertical trip garnishes onto the bottom of the center stack.

D. Screw the gear shift knob on.

This really reduced the noise in my car.

Regards,

-Doug

[Mistabullet]

I don't have that problem, sh*t I don't even have my car yet (Hopefully this tuesday ) But that is one damn good write up. Excellent job Mr. Doug.

[hybridamp]

Very nice DIY article Doug.

[ARCamry07]

Doug,
Excellent how to on the console squeak. That has been my one and only thing that has been bugging me since owning my new Camry. I would have sworn that it was coming from the back seat area. Followed your instructions and pictures and no more squeak. I have to know, how did you ever figure this one out?? I couldn't make it squeak for nothing with the whole thing out in my hand.
Also, when removing the 5 inch trim vertical trim pieces, just get hold of them and pull straight out and they will turn loose. Mine were pretty tight and I thought maybe I would break a clip or something. It is rather amazing how the whole thing comes apart with no tools at all.
Again, excellent , excellent fix for such an annoying little problem.
Charlie

[Streaker]

ToyotaCarFan, Excellent! I haven't had that problem yet. If I ever do I have your solution. Thanks!

[REV800X]

Originally Posted by ToyotaCarFan

I have diagnosed and developed a solution to the rattle/squeak that emanated from my 2007 Camry XLE V6 center console and would like to share it with others so they can benefit from it.

NOTE: Although this rattle/squeak emanates from the center console, I actually thought it came from the rear seat-back area, due to the way sound bounces around inside cars. So, if you think you have a rattle from somewhere else in your car, consider checking as follows:

To determine if you have this rattle:

While driving over rough roads or bumps that you know cause the rattle/squeak to occur, press down firmly on the leftmost edge of the faux wood trim surrounding the gear shifter. If the noise goes away, then the fix described below is applicable to your problem.

Method:

1. Remove the shift-gate garnish (the faux wood trim on the center console through which the gear shift protrudes):

A. Firmly apply the parking brake, shift to Park, and shut off the engine.

B. Unscrew the gear shift knob and remove it.

C. Pull off the two thin vertical trim pieces (about 5" high) located at the very front of the center console, at the bottom of the center stack, on either side of the flip-open door of the cubby-hole that contains the audio input jack and cigarette lighter jack.

D. Reach into the rear opening in the shift gate where the gear shift protrudes, and pull the faux wood trim garnish up. The rear edge should pop up easily. It will not be possible to completely remove the garnish yet, because the gear shifter is in the way.

E. Press the shift-lock-override button and shift the shifter into N. The override button is located under the garnish to the left-front of the shifter hole. It's right under the 1/4" by 1/2" silver plastic panel on the garnish that has the notch in it for removal with a screwdriver.

F. Pop out the shift-gate garnish completely and remove it. If you have heated seats, remove the electrical harness from the seat heater switch by pressing the tab on the connector and pulling it out.

2. Refer to the picture below to see where the rattle/squeak is coming from. The black plastic tab from the PRNDL legend panel is rubbing against the clear plastic light-guide.



3. Apply adhesive-backed felt to the area shown in the picture below. I used a "Dr. Scholl's" shoe cushion insert for this purpose. This can be found at Wal-Mart or any drug store in the foot-care section. The felt is about 1-2 mm thick, and has a sturdy adhesive backing. Cut it to the desired size (about 1/4" square) with scissors.

A. Remove the clear plastic light-guide by gently prying away the tan plastic tabs shown in the above picture using a screwdriver. Set it aside.

B. Cut the felt to size (1/4" square).

C. Affix the felt to the area of the black plastic tab shown in the photo below.





4. Reinstall the clear plastic light-guide by inserting the tabs on the left and then pressing down on the right until it clicks. (See first photo.)

The finished product is shown in the photo below.



5. Reinstall the faux wood shift gate garnish.

A. Connect the seat heater harness (if applicable).

B. Snap the garnish into place on the center console.

C. Snap the two vertical trip garnishes onto the bottom of the center stack.

D. Screw the gear shift knob on.

This really reduced the noise in my car.

Regards,

-Doug

Thanks for the info! I had the squeak, and did a search and found your fix. When I took the console apart, the clear plastic light guide shape has been slightly modified, so it appeared the tab in question would not be squeaking.... Anyway, I made the repair and the squeak is gone. Great detective work on that one. Thanks for your help!

[SuperGoop]

Thanks ToyotaCarFan, that's a good writeup! Thoots also did a similar writeup and has lots of pictures on this thread: Gen6 Rattles, crackles, and noises

Check it out also. Thoots' pictures will help you understand how the thing comes apart.