Can you fix that rattling sound from your door by properly identifying the source, absolutely yes! Diagnostics means everything when experiencing any car issues. This also applies to those annoying rattling door sounds that accompany your favorite song after blasting the speakers. We are going to breakdown what causes these sounds, and how you can stop them.
Rattling sounds can be very annoying especially if you’re simply trying to relax and listen to your song. However, they are a common issue which is only efficiently addressed as they are diagnosed.
In order to fix this problem, it is important that you properly diagnose it first to ensure you find a great solution. We are going to discuss what causes these rattling sounds and how you can find them.
Additionally, we will discuss the best ways to fix rattling sounds on top of giving you an estimate of what you should expect to pay when you have this issue looked at by a pro. Take a look at our guide to dealing with rattling sounds when the speaker is turned on.
Why car door is rattling
Understanding the cause of the rattling door sounds is one of the most important parts of this fix. With proper diagnostics, you can efficiently deal with the problem.
Loose parts
Because your doors are not acoustically dead surfaces, they will rattle when any loose elements within are moving around. When there are things moving around inside or around your door, then the result is often that rattling sound.
These loose parts could be a result of something you put in your outdoor pockets or even things coming apart inside the car itself. With all these loose parts coupled with the noise from the speakers then the result is rattling sounds.
A problematic sound system
An issue with your speakers is cause for other problems, one of which is rattling noises when you turn on your music. These issues could be power related, wiring or even placement. Underpowered or overpowered speakers, poorly wired, or even poorly mounted speakers have the capacity to cause these noise problems.
Understanding and fixing your rattling door
With the cause of these noises in mind, here are some of the ways you can stop your door from rattling when the speakers are on.
Adjust and fix any mountings
Sometimes loose parts inside the sound system or around it will create rattling sounds. The best way to solve this will require you checking and reinstalling any parts that are not well placed.
This includes any loose panels and screws that might be flying around. Again, this is where finding the cause will come in handy. Additionally, confirm whether your mounted speakers are making uneven contact. When readjusted correctly, 50% of the rattling should go down.
Additionally, ensure to tighten any screws and any other loose parts you find to effectively minimize rattling.
Check your outdoor pockets
The outdoor pockets are a common culprit when it comes to rattling door sounds. In fact, when you have items inside these door pockets, you are most likely to experience rattling.
If you have the habit of throwing things into your outdoor pockets, then it would serve you well to check them out before disassembling anything. You can do a sweep, removing everything from these pockets to ensure they are empty then proceed to play your music. If the rattling stops, hem the items moving around in your outdoor pockets were likely responsible for all that rattling.
Switch up the settings
Usually an imbalance in your audio system will lead to several issues, among which is those rattling sounds you dislike. Yes, the solution could be as easy as restoring the balance in your audio or stereo systems and ensuring the operation of the system is unaffected.
The sound system on your car is inherently louder and is sensitive to poor wiring or configuration. You need to readjust the volume and ensure the sound system us properly
In addition to an imbalance, gunk and other stuff clogging up your cars sound system will affect how well it functions. You will also need to check if your speakers are underpowered or overpowered.
Because they rely on a specific power range to operate properly, a change over or under in the power supply may cause your speakers to create the rattling sounds. When there’s too much or too little power, then your voltage signals will adjust depending on the power, causing distorted sounds and thus the rattling noises. You will only need to readjust he power supply to suit your speakers.
Low frequency sounds and bass blockers
Your cars sound system is based on a combination of scientific concepts whose details I will not bore you with. While they might not be the immediate suspect, but distortion from some side speakers might cause your speakers to vibrate and thus rattle. Low frequencies or low end bass frequencies may be harmful to some of your speakers.
In order to combat this, you will need to install bass blockers which act as external equalizers. First, open the hood and disconnect your battery. In order to install bass blockers, you will begin by an examination, during which you must rely on the user or repair manual if you are not very car savvy. The goal is to access the terminal connections usually near each speaker’s rear.
Next: once you access the speakers and their connectors, you must carefully the relevant components. Work on a speaker at a time if you need to.
Lastly identify the positive connection and other correct wires and install the bass blockers
TIP: these steps and wiring will vary depending on the type of wiring on your vehicle. Regardless of factory or after market wiring, ensure you safely and carefully detach and attach all necessary parts and wires.
Sound deadening mats and why you might need them
These are some of the most popular ways to deal with sound issues. Before you start looking at all the different brands and types of sound deadening or dampening mats, let us first establish what these do.
Sound deadening with spays or mats will soundproof your car and prevent all those annoying outside noises including the rattling in your doors.
Tips for sound deadening your car doors
Before you begin the process, safety comes first. Ensure you have the correct type of gloves and equipment to install these mats. Have your user or repair manual on hand in case something is off beat.
After you are sure you have everything you need, then you can begin by taking off the car door. However, detaching car doors is a delicate process especially if it’s your first time. During this process, ensure you keep tabs on all the screws and bolts or any tiny stuff you have to take out in order to detach the door.
Do not forget about the vapor shield. This is the part on your car door that is easily visible when you take out the door panel. It is sponge like in nature and often prevents water from getting into your car. Ensure you have properly removed the vapor shield.
Before you begin any installation, wipe down your door or even mats with a damp clean cloth so the mat can stick properly to the door. Luckily many sound deadening mats come with their own adhesives and you and easily apply the mat onto your door. Ensure this material covers the frame and any holes on the inside of the door.
Putting things back together should be the easiest but is seemingly the hardest part. If you are a beginner, we usually recommend you take photographs throughout the whole process. This is where these will come in handy; you don’t want the door falling apart while on the highways.
Hold on, you’re not done yet. The installation is only complete if it is successful. You can check these mats’ effectiveness by doing a final check, ensuring you are satisfied by the extent to which these mats block out the rattling.
TIP: Among the biggest issues with these mats’ installation is air bubbles or trapped air. Smoothing out the mat during the first placement might not be enough to remove all the bubbles from the placed mat. You might want to go over with a roller or even your hand once or twice more, however much more you feel is enough to ensure proper placement.
In addition to being careful, we also recommend that you do this one door at a time. This way, you do not get confused about what goes where when you restore
Replace blown speakers
Blown speaker parts are as dire as the situation can get. If you are amongst the people whose case of rattling is caused by blown speakers, then you will have to replace them. This will however require you to troubleshoot your sound system checking for any singly or collectively blown parts. You might be uncertain whether the speakers are blown or not.
You will begin the speaker check by turning them on with your closed doors and checking the sound. If there is no sound at all, then that should tell you there is something quite wrong. Listen carefully for each speaker carefully. All fuzzy sounds, poppy noises, or even buzzing are indicators of a blown speaker.
If you do not believe you will properly diagnose each one of your speakers, then we recommend you check the impedance
Testing your car speakers impedance
Luckily there are several handy diagnostic tools for all sorts of problems. When you need to check impedance, you may rely on an electric meter effectively. Before you can make the readings, in Ohms, ensure to turn off your speakers and connect one meter leads to the speaker appropriately. Blown out speakers will have a reading indicating an infinite reading. If your speakers are in good health, then the reading will be around 1.0.
Cause for blown car speakers
Blow outs are not just a hair thing; they can happen to your cars speakers as well. When you understand what they are and what causes them, then fixing the issue becomes easier. Depending on the nature of the speakers in your car, then the cause might vary.
Manual speakers for example will fail when the component known as a cone moves further than it should be will cause the speaker harm. Thermal speakers on the other hand are prone to failure especially when fed too much power which causes them to blow.
Another common cause for speaker issues is overpowering them; too much power has the capacity to create blow outs. This is unusually among the worst cause for a blow out as it can result in the worst speaker damage.
In order to properly determine the status of your speakers, you must consider all the elements surrounding the issue of speakers including some of the signs they display of failure. Here for instance are some of the signs, you should watch out for if you suspect a blown speaker.
Distorted sounds, fuzziness and hissing sounds
If you listen close enough you might hear these sorts of sounds from your speakers. This is often an indicator of problematic speakers that are partially blown.
With some concentration, you can easily listen foe and identify issues with your speakers. Not all your speakers will blow all at once. It is essential you listen carefully to each individual speaker.
Rattling
As this is one of our main focuses, it is only fair we include it on here. You might notice the strange rattling sounds coming from your speakers as a result of blowing out.
Lack of vibration or bass and treble
Without these elements, a beat isn’t really a beat. This is another one of your components ways of telling you that you might be experiencing blow outs within your sound system.
Final word
When dealing with rattling from your doors when the speakers are on, there are many reasons that could be the cause for issue. These rattling sounds however can become remedied once anyone in control of them earns access to them. We often encourage that you see a pro if you do not have the capacity to perform any of the operations we’ve discussed above.
