I have a 2011 G37 6MT coupe with about 20,000 miles. Starting about a month ago it developed a new interior noise that I have not been able to isolate/cure. When accelerating from a stop I hear a single tick from just behind my left ear. I occasionally hear that same sound from that same location when I go over a speed bump (accelerating or not), and it is most pronounced when going uphill. I believe that it is coming from the seatbelt mechanism in the "B" pillar (it even sounds like the tick heard when tension on the seatbelt is released), but can't be sure. Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone know of a fix?

Thanks.

 

I can tell you from experience that bringing this to the dealer will result in more rattles/noises later on from taking off various panels.

I would attempt to really pinpoint the cause and exact location before considering that route.

 

These are a bear to track down ... I had a rattle that I swore was coming from the passengers side somewhere, had the wife drive and when sitting in the passenger seat it sounded like it was coming from the drivers door area ....argh. Turn out to be a pair of sunglasses my wife put in the overhead holder. Not that this is your issue but pin pointing the location is tough and seems to move around the car when you are in different places.

I second trying to fix it yourself, dealers break clips, etc and don't replace. Next thing you know you have dash, door pieces, etc held on with half the clips causing more rattles.

 

I finally had a chance to do some hands-on investigation into this single “tick” that I have been hearing when I accelerate or go over a speed bump. The sound is not coming from the seatbelt mechanism in the "B" pillar; it is coming from inside the driver’s seat. If you are sitting behind the driver’s seat the sound is coming from the left side about one half to two thirds of the way up. I can recreate the sound with a fair amount of regularity if, while sitting in the driver’s seat, I simply push back on the seat (for example, pushing moderately hard on the dead pedal). However, the sound only occurs when the engine is on, and it happens whether or not the seat heater is on. If I do the exact same thing with the car turned off, the sound doesn’t happen. That part of the seat (I have the sport seat) has a bunch of moving parts; the airbag, seat heater, side bolster. The question is, other than the seat heater, what would cycle “on” in the seatback when I turn on the car?

 

I did a little searching on the internet and found an exploded view schematic of the front seat. Here is the link:

http://www.infinitipartsdepartment.c...iagram=3846355

 

I have so many, i gave up.