Winters back!! along with all my strange Highlander noises!!!

[alkazoo]

Hiya highlander friends.!!
Well, its my 3rd winter with my 2003 highlander..and just like clock work, as soon as the temp drops to 20/30 degrees, my highlanders strange winter noises show up...Does anybody else have the cold weather ghosts in thier highlander??? Mine are: steering wheel makes a rubbing squealing noise as its turned. Noise comes from the column itself, sounds like a rubber gasket rubbing....only in cold weather 2: going over bumps,,,plastic against plastic creaking noise from passenger side glove box area,,tried to isolate it last two winters, no avail.....3: something sounds loose in the rear hatch area,,,,go over a bump when its cold out and you hear a thunking noise (like a chunk of ice is wedged inside the hatch),,,ive searched, cant find source......anyway...all 3 noises show up in late november,,,will last until spring........have a great winter everybody!!!

[wylcat]

Originally Posted by alkazoo

Hiya highlander friends.!!
Well, its my 3rd winter with my 2003 highlander..and just like clock work, as soon as the temp drops to 20/30 degrees, my highlanders strange winter noises show up...Does anybody else have the cold weather ghosts in thier highlander??? Mine are: steering wheel makes a rubbing squealing noise as its turned. Noise comes from the column itself, sounds like a rubber gasket rubbing....only in cold weather 2: going over bumps,,,plastic against plastic creaking noise from passenger side glove box area,,tried to isolate it last two winters, no avail.....3: something sounds loose in the rear hatch area,,,,go over a bump when its cold out and you hear a thunking noise (like a chunk of ice is wedged inside the hatch),,,ive searched, cant find source......anyway...all 3 noises show up in late november,,,will last until spring........have a great winter everybody!!!

I can solve all your noises....move south for the winter

sorry I couldn't resist

[sequoiasoon]

Originally Posted by alkazoo

Hiya highlander friends.!!
Well, its my 3rd winter with my 2003 highlander..and just like clock work, as soon as the temp drops to 20/30 degrees, my highlanders strange winter noises show up...Does anybody else have the cold weather ghosts in thier highlander??? Mine are: steering wheel makes a rubbing squealing noise as its turned. Noise comes from the column itself, sounds like a rubber gasket rubbing....only in cold weather 2: going over bumps,,,plastic against plastic creaking noise from passenger side glove box area,,tried to isolate it last two winters, no avail.....3: something sounds loose in the rear hatch area,,,,go over a bump when its cold out and you hear a thunking noise (like a chunk of ice is wedged inside the hatch),,,ive searched, cant find source......anyway...all 3 noises show up in late november,,,will last until spring........have a great winter everybody!!!

The Sequoia had the same steering wheel creak. It was the rubber bushing/grommet at the firewall. I put some silicone dielectric grease in it and all over the column where it touches with a Q-tip. Noise gone 2 years now and haven't touched it. When cold my Corolla strut mounts/isolators get stiff and it clunks until it warms up. Could also be exhaust mounts doing same thing. try some foam backer rod around where the dash meets other places including windshield.

[joylee86]

I had the exactlly the same noise last winter and I brought it to the dealer and they told me the water pump was bad and they replaced it. It was under three year warranty.
But now the noise is coming back again but the dealer told me they’re not going to cover only if the replaced water pump is bad. But I found something on internet and I’m worrying they didn’t fix it last year when my car was under warranty. I don’t know what I’m going to do.

Here is what I found @http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/Used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2510/act/usedcarreviewreliability/
“2001-06 Toyota Highlander: Reliability

Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Dashboard lights: Both the check-engine light and antilock-brake warning light may come on due to a problem with the skid-control computer for which there is an updated replacement. (2001-02)
Engine noise: Belt squeal and rattle on cold engine due to faulty tensioner on 2AZ-FE engine requires updated tensioner. (2001-04)

[42GAMI]

Originally Posted by wylcat

I can solve all your noises....move south for the winter

sorry I couldn't resist

yep, sound like the highlander wants a permanant vacation in hawaii.

[hoser7]

I have an 03 Highlander with the exact same noises. The steering column noise can be eliminated by your dealer lubing the column. I've read somewhere the rear clunking noise is a gas tank issue. And the dash issue - super annoying - but it goes away momentarily if you push down on the dash near the passenger airbag and/or just above the glovebox. Oddly enough, our 2006 Sienna has the same dash noise in cold weather. Have you tightened the upper screws of the glovebox?

[Torque02703]

Oh yes, I have an '01 Highlander that has that cold weather noise in the column. It sounds like my Collie in severe pain. I'd love to get rid of it, but I'm afraid my trusty New England dealer would charge me $1000 and claim it's in the backend.

BTW I have a smell in the defroster that is something like a dry heat smell. My wife says it is a burning smell and she says it only occurs on rainy days. Any ideas?