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High pitched whine. Could it be the windshield?


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Hi everyone. I just bought a 2000 OBW a couple weeks ago and I've been trolling here trying to get information. I thought I would use my first post to say hello and ask a question.

 

When I first test drove the car it had a cracked windshield, which the dealer replaced before I bought it. During the test drive I didn't notice any strange noises, and I did do some highway driving. However, after taking the car I noticed that there is a high pitched whining noise when I am going freeway speeds. It sounds as if it's coming from inside the car in the front left corder of the dash (near the tweeter, but maybe a little more forward).

 

I've tried everything I can think of to eliminate this noise, including turning off the AC/Fan, turning off the stereo, opening the windows, pressing on several surfaces, and even taking out the coin tray. But it is difficult to produce. When it happens it only lasts for a second or two so I don't have much time to try things, not to mention I have to keep my eye on the road. I've had it happen when I was going 75mph uphill (about 4500rpm) and 60mph downhill (about 2700rpm) and everything in between, but never at city street speeds. I'm guessing it's airflow issue and the only thing that I can think of is the windshield. Is it possible that the new windsield or something related is causing a vibration? Should I have the dealer take a look, since they installed it, and hope they cover it? The car only has a 3000 mile powertrain warrenty, but maybe I can argue that since they installed the windshield, there should be a limited warrenty for their work. Any ideas you guy might have would be very helpful.

 

BTW, other than this I am in love with this car. If I can fix this I will be 100% satisfied.

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Try pinching the triangular driver-side window gasket(what do you call that thing?)... while window is down of course.

 

 

 

Hi everyone. I just bought a 2000 OBW a couple weeks ago and I've been trolling here trying to get information. I thought I would use my first post to say hello and ask a question.

 

When I first test drove the car it had a cracked windshield, which the dealer replaced before I bought it. During the test drive I didn't notice any strange noises, and I did do some highway driving. However, after taking the car I noticed that there is a high pitched whining noise when I am going freeway speeds. It sounds as if it's coming from inside the car in the front left corder of the dash (near the tweeter, but maybe a little more forward).

 

I've tried everything I can think of to eliminate this noise, including turning off the AC/Fan, turning off the stereo, opening the windows, pressing on several surfaces, and even taking out the coin tray. But it is difficult to produce. When it happens it only lasts for a second or two so I don't have much time to try things, not to mention I have to keep my eye on the road. I've had it happen when I was going 75mph uphill (about 4500rpm) and 60mph downhill (about 2700rpm) and everything in between, but never at city street speeds. I'm guessing it's airflow issue and the only thing that I can think of is the windshield. Is it possible that the new windsield or something related is causing a vibration? Should I have the dealer take a look, since they installed it, and hope they cover it? The car only has a 3000 mile powertrain warrenty, but maybe I can argue that since they installed the windshield, there should be a limited warrenty for their work. Any ideas you guy might have would be very helpful.

 

BTW, other than this I am in love with this car. If I can fix this I will be 100% satisfied.

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Try pinching the triangular driver-side window gasket(what do you call that thing?)... while window is down of course.

 

That's not a bad idea. I'll give it a shot, but it is difficult to hear the noise over the wind when the window is open even a crack. I could give any screws there a quick turn to see if they're loose.

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That's not a bad idea. I'll give it a shot, but it is difficult to hear the noise over the wind when the window is open even a crack. I could give any screws there a quick turn to see if they're loose.

 

No - no. With car parked, lower the driver's side window completely. Using one hand on the tweeter area inside the car, and the other directly outside on the mirror housing/whatever, push together. This should tighten the 'slot' the window rides up into. This MAY fix the noise. Try not to close the door pushing on the window, reach down and push on the metal.

 

If that doesn't do it, try putting 2-3-4 inches of masking tape (at a time) in different areas and test drive to locate where the noise is coming from.

 

Carl

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I sometimes get a whistle from around my driver's side mirror, but it goes away. Usually I notice it most when there is ice buildup on the mirror. I think it is just turbulent air, because it seems to go away spontaneously.

 

 

Also, I notice that if I am driving, and I get a cross wind, I will occasionally get a whistling from the windows, I believe they don't always seal correctly, because they are not held in a channel like they are on other cars.

 

Matt

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I've driven many rented OB's (usually pretty new at the time), and have found that is a common occurence with the windshields for that generation of OBs all the way through the '04 model year.

 

The problem seems to have been solved for the '05 Legs and OBs.

 

Just my 2 bucks

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As the others say, could be the window sealing problem.

 

Still, it would be worth checking around the windshield for loose bits of trim. Those black seals must be clipped on tight and flush with the glass.

 

I had a windscreen replaced and the dealer didn't intall the correct mounting brackets causing the windscreen to sink too low into the frame. The seals couldn't seal and sat slighty proud of the glass in some areas. I had a cacophony to deal with at highway speeds.

 

Got it fixed though, after another stone cracked that screen....

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Well, I wasn't able to produce the sound last night. The winds were calm yesterday and I've noticed that this occurs most often when there is a slight breeze. However, I did look at the area near the mirror. There is a spot where the gasket, or whatever, is split down the top of the window. The split is about an inch long. I'll try taping it up with some blue painters tape to see if that's the cause.

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