Annoying noise

My 2005 Santa Fe has developed an annoying noise behind the dash.

It sounds a bit like a bee is trapped near the defrost vent and is buzzing
around trying to get out. I've looked into the vent areas with a mirror just
to be sure and didn't see anything. I also thought it might be a piece of
paper or plastic caught in there that is flapping around. The sound only
happens when the vehicle is moving. It was very faint at first (~2 weeks
ago) but is getting louder.

Any idea what this could be?

Thanks,
Jon

 

Does the fan setting have any effect on it? If so, you probably have
leaf or seeds in the air ducts.

 

I'll check that. Thanks Brian.
Jon

 

It doesn't appear to vary with fan setting changes and doesn't stop when I
turn off the climate control entirely.

I'm starting to think speedometer cable. Sound possible?

Jon

 

I tried posting yesterday, but it's still sitting there in my preferences,
not yet posted.

Anyway, it's not a speedo cable. You don't have one. I've not seen this
on a Santa Fe, but I did work on a GM product on which the tape was coming
off the windshield moulding, making a buzzing noise when the car was driven
fast enough. Check your windshield mouldings and the cowling for anything
that might be loose and able to make a buzzing noise. Could even be a
leaf.

 

hyundaitech,
Thanks for the reply. I checked all the vents and around the windshield, and
nothing is stuck in there or flapping around. I've been trying to localize
the sound (which is fairly difficult as it only happens while I'm driving)
but it does appear to be coming from behind the dashboard above the steering
wheel.

Are their any mechanical connections back there that could be doing this?
Tachometer, clockspring, etc.

Thanks,
Jon

 

It's more likely that something is loose in your dash attachments. Has
anyone taken the dash apart recently for any reason?

 

Nope, nothing has been disassembled.

I had the car in for inspection 2 weeks ago and asked them to listen for the
sound then. They didn't hear it. It was very faint then and at that point I
didn't realize it only occurred when I was moving.

Jon

 

I don't think you're going to get any closer to the source without a
technician hearing the noise.

 

I think your right. I'll get it to the dealer in the next few weeks and let
everyone know what I find.

Thanks for your help.
Jon