I started up my Jeep a few weeks ago (2000 XJ) and there was this terrible, loud rattling or static type noise coming from somewhere behind the dash / wheel. I had driven it just the day before and there had been no issue. I placed my hand on the dash to the left of the wheel and could feel it vibrating.

My first instinct was to turn the Jeep off. I started it again, and same thing. I let it run a little longer this time and did a little backing up / moving forward and though it kept making the noise, I figured at least it's drivable (?). I drove off and the noise slowly got less loud and had completely stopped by the time I had gone a block or two. It hasn't happened since!

Anyone have any idea what it could have been? I posted a video with the sound here: https://*******/F2WL That sound is NOT static on the video, it's actually the Jeep.

 

No ideas?

 

Please tell me that you figured this out? My 2000 XJ is doing the same thing.

 

Mine has a rattle under the steering wheel similar. It's probably from how crappy these NE OH roads are after winter beating the $H1T out of it. It comes and goes when it wants to. Probably something that was rattled loose from rough roads or something.

 

@Dunleadogg - nope, it hasn't happened since that one time when I recorded the sound. I do get a weird noise on occasion after turning the engine off, but I'm not sure how to even describe it.

@Jooman07 - it's not a loose piece of something floating around back there. Did you listen to the video? It was far more intense than that. Luckily (I guess?) hasn't happened since.

 

Yes I listened to the video. Sorry if my interpretation wasn't to your liking.