Recreate/Identify Condition, & Pinpoint Noise

On the road test, use customer comments to recreate the conditions when the noise occurs.

The next step, is to identify the noise, is it internal or external? If you open a window and the noise gets louder, it's probably an external noise, caused by air passing over body panels, seams or openings.

If the wind noise can't be heard with a window lowered, the noise is internal. It's most likely a whistle caused by air leaving the inside of the vehicle through a seal or seam.

Fig. 5:

PINPOINTING EXTERNAL NOISES:

You can further pinpoint external wind noise by lowering one window at a time. If the noise is louder at a particular window, you can start pinpointing your diagnosis at that section of the car.

If an external wind noise location corresponds with a condition you noticed during your visual inspection, pull the vehicle over and make a temporary repair with the masking tape or the screwdriver.

Tape over gaps and moldings one at a time, starting with those that look suspect, and are in the area the noise is coming from, refer to Figure 5. When you tape over the area needing repair, the noise will go away.

Fig. 6:

PINPOINTING INTERNAL NOISES:

To help locate the source of internal wind noise, tape over the relief valves. Refer to Figure 6. This airflow restriction will cause additional air pressure to build up inside the vehicle.

Fig. 7 Airflow Through Vehicle:

Air leaves the interior through these valves, as shown in Figure 7. By blocking them off, air pressure will build up and help reveal any weak spots in the seams or seals. The added pressure should make wind whistle leaks easier to hear.

If you suspect a whistle is coming from a particular seal, pull over and tape over that seal from the outside. If you taped over the leaking seal, the noise will be gone when you try to recreate it again.

Once you make a temporary repair which eliminates a wind noise, you may make a second noise more noticeable.