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GENERAL INFORMATION

Air/Wind Noise - Volt DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES AIR/WIND NOISE

Air / Wind Noise-Diagnosis and Tests


Tools

image Stethoscope

image Duct tape, foam, etc.


WARNING: Refer to Assistant Driving Warning .


Overview

To analyze a reported wind noise condition, use the following outline:

image Speak with the customer to obtain as much information as possible.

image Perform a static evaluation of the vehicle to identify potential areas of concern. image Test drive the vehicle to determine the source of the noise.

image Select the appropriate solution.

image After repair, re-evaluate the vehicle to confirm the customer's complaint is resolved.

When test driving the vehicle, choose a regular route with smooth and straight roads. The area should have little traffic and little noise in order to minimize interference with the test. Drive the vehicle at the speed in which the noise was noticed, or until the noise is heard. Maintain safe and legal speeds.

You can diagnose the following types of wind noise: image Wind whistle / wind leaks

image Wind 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 whistle / wind leaks are repairable when properly root caused.

Wind rush occurs when air presses over the vehicle's body, and is related to the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Some wind rush is repairable as it relates to part fits and body panel fits. A thorough root cause analysis is required before concluding that the wind noise is not repairable.

Air / Wind Noise - Diagnostic Procedure

Use the following procedure in order to diagnose wind noise:

1. It is important to obtain as many details from the customer as possible in order to assure that you are

addressing the issue that the customer hears. Note the following details:

image The perceived location (B-pillar, mirror, roof, rear of vehicle, front of vehicle, high or low in vehicle)

image The location where the noise is loudest (specific location along the door header, front edge of sunroof, etc.)

image The volume of the noise (very loud, can only hear when radio is off and no ambient noises) image The ambient conditions (temperature, windy, direction of wind, quiet)

image The road surface (rough, smooth, smooth concrete, ribbed concrete, asphalt) image The vehicle speed (city, highway, all speeds)

image The interior fan speed (off, low, high, floor mode, defrost, etc.)

image The position of the windows (closed, partially open, full open, which windows are open-front and/or rear, driver and/or passenger)

image The position of the sunroof (closed, partially open, full open) image What the noise sounds like (whistle, hiss, swoosh, etc.)

2. Using the details learned from the customer, perform a visual inspection of the vehicle for possible causes of the wind noise.

image Misinstalled / torn weatherstrips (door glass seals, door to body seals, sunroof seals) - improper crimping, pins not fully engaged, seals not fully seated, seals pinched or deformed

image Poor Door fits (panels proud to each other, door headers protruding out, etc.) image Poor Sunroof fits (sunroof proud to roof)

image Poor Windshield fits (windshield proud to roof, windshield lace/molding gaps/distortions, etc.) image Roof Rack improperly installed (cross bar position fore-aft or backwards)

image Mirrors misinstalled (gapping of mirror patch, mirror skull cap gaps, mirror gasket pinched, seals pinched, etc.)

image Poor Molding fits (windshield moldings, belt moldings, grilles, emblems) image Any exterior aftermarket items installed (bug deflector, rain guards, etc.) image Loose fasteners, broken weld joints, sealer and/or adhesive skips

3. Use the customer information to duplicate the driving conditions in order to duplicate the customer concern. Make sure you are working on the issue that the customer hears.

4. Tape off the area of concern on the outside of the vehicle to turn the noise off. Start with a large area of taping to identify the general area of the noise. Then progressively remove sections of the tape until the noise returns. This method can help pinpoint the source of the noise quickly.

5. If necessary, utilize some of the specific diagnostic procedures below (air pressure, bubble, etc.) to understand the leak path.

6. Based on a thorough understanding of the leak path from inside to outside, select the appropriate resolution (refit doors, reposition weatherstrips, reposition gaskets, replace seals, etc.).

7. After repair, test drive the vehicle to confirm the customer complaint is resolved.

TRACING POWDER OR CHALK TEST

Clean the weatherstrips and the contact surfaces with cleaning solvent.

1. Apply powder or chalk in an unbroken line to the contact surface of the weatherstrip surrounding the perimeter of the suspected areas.

2. Close the panel very lightly so as to not disturb the chalk or over-travel the door. Closing the panel completely presses the weatherstrip firmly against the mating surface.

3. Inspect the applied line on the weatherstrip. The applied line is marred where contact is good. A corresponding imprint is on the mating surfaces.

4. Gaps or irregularities in the powder or the chalk line on the mating surfaces indicate the areas with a poor seal.

AIR PRESSURE TEST

1. Close all the windows.

2. Turn the vehicles ventilation fan to the on position, with the selector on high speed and in the defrost mode (or panel mode with fresh air vent on - no recirc).

3. Unlock and close the doors.

4. Listen for escaping air along the door and the window seals with a stethoscope or a length of heater hose.

5. If unsuccessful in identifying the leak path, consider masking off the pressure relief valves (to increase cabin pressure) and perform the evaluation again.

SOAP SUDS OR BUBBLE TEST

1. Close all the windows.

2. Turn the vehicles ventilation fan to the on position, with the selector on high speed and in the defrost mode (or panel mode with fresh air vent on - no recirc).

3. Unlock and close the doors.

4. Apply the soap solution to the potential leak areas.

5. Look for bubbles revealing escaping air.

6. If unsuccessful in identifying the leak path, consider masking off the pressure relief valves (to increase cabin pressure) and perform the evaluation again.

REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS

EXTERIOR WINDNOISE


WARNING: Refer to Assistant Driving Warning .


Interior windnoise is not heard when the window is lowered. Interior windnoise is caused by the air leaving the inside of the vehicle through a seal or a seam.

1. Tape over the relief valves to cause added air pressure within the vehicle.

2. Test drive the vehicle and listen for windnoise or a whistle.

3. Pull the vehicle over and make the temporary repairs using masking tape. If you cannot determine the source of the windnoise, perform one or more of the following diagnostic tests:

image Air Pressure Test

image Soap Suds or Bubble Test

image Tracing Powder or Chalk Test

INTERIOR WINDNOISE


WARNING: Refer to Assistant Driving Warning .


Interior windnoise is not heard when the window is lowered. Interior windnoise is caused by the air leaving the inside of the vehicle through a seal or a seam.

1. Tape over the relief valves to cause added air pressure within the vehicle.

2. Test drive the vehicle and listen for windnoise or a whistle.

3. Pull the vehicle over and make the temporary repairs using masking tape. If you cannot determine the source of the windnoise, perform one or more of the following diagnostic tests:

image Air Pressure Test

image Soap Suds or Bubble Test

image Tracing Powder or Chalk Test SPECIAL TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT SPECIAL TOOLS


Illustration

Tool Number/ Description



Illustration

Tool Number/ Description


image


CH-39570 J 39570

Chassis Ear


Illustration

Tool Number/ Description


image


GE-41416 J 41416

Ultrasonic Leak Detector


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