I don't recall anyone mentioning this noise before, hope someone can help.

I started noticing a fluttering type noise coming from somewhere below the steering wheel. It's hard to explain, something like a flag blowing in the wind.
Lately I've heard it on my drive to work in the morning but never when I leave after work, maybe it is temperature dependent.

Has anyone heard this noise? Have you fixed it?

One idea I had, hope someone can verify this:
In my Audi there was a small fan that would pull cabin air into a small grill so the air conditioner could sense the cabin temperature better. This fan would start making noise and need replacement every 2 years.

While looking under the steering wheel area of my G35 I noticed a small grill to the right of the steering column. Is there a fan in this grill? Could it be for the heating/air conditioner like in my Audi?

 

I just noticed a similar noise the other day in my car. It only seems to happen when I have the air conditioner on full blast... almost like something is getting blown around inside the vents. I'm going to give it another week or so to see if it goes away, if not (and I'm sure it won't) I'll be taking it in next weekend to get it checked out.

 

Forgive my ingnorance, but where is our in cabin filter located? It doesn't say in the owners manual. I would think if the filter was not seated right it could make the noise you're describing......

 

The cabin filter is behind the glove box.

 

After some careful listening the noise was coming from the wiring area directly under the steering wheel. I popped open the trim, slipped some thin foam between some of the wiring that could have been rubbing together, put some thin foam around the clips that hold the trim around the steering wheel, and screwed it back on.

The sound seems to be gone now.

Does anyone know what that little grill below and to the right of the steering wheel is for?