I have a couple of annoying rattles from the dashboard. They seem to come from the top of the dash, inside. Maybe from the area of the central vents too. There are two or three distinct ones.

What are the common reasons for dashboard rattles? Is there an easy fix perhaps with bits of foam?

My Passat B7 has a 3 ft length of weatherstripping stuffed down the back of the rear shelf, to stop the infamous rattle. So I am not above a fix of this kind of quality.

Thanks in advance!

It's a 2002 XJR.

 

In my case it was the foam on the flap, which deteriorated over the years. I believe it's the one that directs the air to the windscreen. While driving you can check if the noises stop if you choose different option on the control panel.

I took the central wooden panel and the vents out and glued a piece of new foam. That stopped the annoying rattle.