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 for the road test. The road should consist
of smooth and straight streets that run in all 4 directions, North, South,
East, and West. The area should have little traffic or little noise to eliminate
interference with the test.
Important: Often there is one primary leak source and one or more secondary leaks
that contribute to the noise condition. Repairing only one of the contributing
leak sources may not completely repair the total condition but only reduce
the condition.
The following are four common methods for diagnosing wind noise:
The vehicle will be driven at the speed in which the customer noticed
the noise, 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 following are three basic types of wind noise:
When moving at highway speeds, air pressure inside the vehicle becomes
significantly 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 two body surfaces. To correct the condition, adjust the alignment to the
body surfaces.
Wind rush occurs when air passes over the vehicle's body, and is related
to the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Wind whistle and wind roar are serviceable.
Rule out wind whistle and wind roar before concluding that the wind noise
is due to wind rush.
Diagnose wind whistle or wind roar using the following procedure:
- Note the detail for wind noise:
| • | The location where the noise is the loudest |
| • | The position of the windows. |
| • | What the noise sounds like |
- Inspect the vehicle for the possible cause of the windnoise.
- Test drive the vehicle and determine if the windnoise is external
or internal.
- Perform a visual inspection of the following components:
| • | Sealer and/or adhesive skips |
