For 1990-2009 cars

Many of the same procedures used in diagnosing a water leak may also be used in diagnosing wind noise. Wind noise repairs are also very similar to water leak repairs. The actual repair procedure used will depend on the type of gap to be repaired. A door or door window adjustment may resolve the condition. If an abnormal wind noise condition is reported, visually inspect for the following conditions before attempting to further diagnose the complaint:

• | Misaligned components

• | Loose fasteners

• | Torn weatherstrip

• | Broken weld joints

• | Sealer/adhesive skips

The following are four common methods for diagnosing wind noise:

• | The chalk (tracing powder) test

• | The air pressure test

• | The air hose (soap suds/bubbles) test

• | The external wind noise road test

After a thorough visual inspection, choose one of the following test procedures that best suits your needs.

### Chalk (Tracing Powder) Test

1. Wash the weatherstrips and the contact surfaces with a solvent.
2. Apply a tracing powder or chalk in an unbroken line to the contact surface of the weatherstrip mating surfaces.
3. Close the panel completely.
4. Open the panel and inspect the weatherstrip:

• | Corresponding lines on both surfaces -- good seal

• | Gaps or irregularities that do not match -- poor seal

5. Replace the weatherstrip as needed.

### Air Pressure Test

With the following procedure, a smoke or dusting powder can be used if preferred. The exact leak location can be seen as smoke or powder travels through a poor seal.

1. Mask off the body pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve is accessed from inside the vehicle by removing the rear compartment left rear corner trim panel. Access from outside the vehicle is obtained from through the left rear wheelhouse opening.
2. Turn ON the vehicle's ventilation fan.
3. Close any passenger chamber openings, such as the windows and the doors.

Important: An abnormal amount of high pressure will build up in the vehicle, and will escape through any poor seals.

4. With a stethoscope, or a piece of a heater hose, listen for escaping air along the roof, door, and window seals.

### Air Hose (Soap Suds/Bubbles) Test

1. Pressurize the vehicle interior. (An air hose can be used inside the vehicle as well.)

Specification
Pressurization (maximum): 105 kPa (30 psi)

2. Apply a soapy solution to any potential leak areas on the outside of the vehicle.
3. Watch for bubbles at the areas where the soapy solution was applied.

### External Wind Noise Road Test

The outside air passing over an opening causes wind roar. Outside air passing over the vehicle's body causes wind rush, If wind roar is suspected, road test the vehicle as follows in order to inspect for openings or bad seals.

1. Road test the vehicle while taping various moldings and gaps until the noise stops.
2. Make repairs as needed.