GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Caution: An assistant should drive the vehicle while the technician checks for the location of the reported condition. Otherwise, personal injury could result.

To analyze a reported windnoise condition, test drive the vehicle to determine the origin of the noise.

Choose a regular route with smooth and straight streets that run in all 4 directions, North, South, East, and West. The area should have little traffic or little noise in order to eliminate interference with the test.

Important: Often there is 1 primary leak source and 1 or more secondary leaks that contribute to the noise condition. Repairing only 1 of the contributing leak sources may not completely repair the total condition but only reduce the condition.

The vehicle should be driven at the speed in which the noise was noticed, or until the noise is heard. Maintain safe and legal speeds.

Many of the waterleak diagnosis tests are also used for the windnoise diagnosis.

Most of the windnoise is caused by either leaking seals or misaligned body surfaces. The basic types of windnoises are:

    • Whistle
    • Roar
    • Rush

When moving at highway speeds, air pressure inside the vehicle becomes greater than the air pressure outside. When a leak occurs, the escaping air causes a hiss or a whistle.

Wind roar occurs when air passes over or through an opening between the 2 body surfaces. To correct the condition, adjust the alignment to the body surfaces.

Wind rush occurs when air presses over the vehicle's body, and is related to the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Wind whistle and wind roar are repairable. Rule out wind whistle and wind roar before concluding that the wind noise is due to wind rush.

Use the following to aid in diagnosing wind whistle or wind roar:

  1. Note the details for wind noise:
  2. • The perceived location
    • The location where the noise is loudest
    • When the noise occurs
    • The vehicle speed
    • The interior fan speed
    • The position of the windows
    • What the noise sounds like
  3. Inspect the vehicle for the possible cause of the windnoise.
  4. Test drive the vehicle and determine if the windnoise is external or internal.
  5. Perform a visual inspection of the following components:
  6. • Loose fasteners
    • Torn weatherstrips
    • Broken weld joints
    • Sealer and/or adhesive skips