Whistling noise

[Earle Jones]

2001 Subaru Outback wagon.

There is a strange whistling/buzzing noise when up to speed (more
than about 55 mph.) It seems to be affected by the wind. It
appears to originate just outside the left (driver's) window.

Is there something vibrating out there? Possibly the rubber gasket
between the window and the window frame?

Anybody else have this problem?

Thanks!

earle
*

 

[Jim]

2001 Subaru Outback wagon.

There is a strange whistling/buzzing noise when up to speed (more
than about 55 mph.) It seems to be affected by the wind. It
appears to originate just outside the left (driver's) window.

Is there something vibrating out there? Possibly the rubber gasket
between the window and the window frame?

Anybody else have this problem?

Thanks!

earle
*

Have a similar problem with my 97 Legacy Wagon. At a combined
headwind plus car forwards speed approaching 100 mph (ie 70 mph into a
30 mph wind), there is a buzz, but a very, very, loud buzz, coming
from either the front of the passenger window or right hand side of
the windshield. Drowns out any audo in the car and in fact is so loud
it's very wearying. It's only happened twice when I was driving
northwest into a strong northwest wind. In my case I suspect
something with the right hand mirror, but never have had a passenger
with me to isolate the source.
Jim

 

[mark jb]

Is there something vibrating out there? Possibly the rubber gasket

between the window and the window frame?

Anybody else have this problem?

http://groups.google.com/group/alt....nk=st&q=subaru+gusset&rnum=1#06913f19b444eb39

If that link doesn't work, search Google Groups for "subaru gusset".
Simple fix is to open the window and squeeze the inside & outside triangle
bits together.
Complex fix is to open up the door and adjust the clips. Both are detailed
in the above thread.

-mark

 

[Greg in IN]

Earle Jones

There is a strange whistling/buzzing noise when up to speed (more
than about 55 mph.) It seems to be affected by the wind. It
appears to originate just outside the left (driver's) window.

If the noise could be described as a demented kazoo thru a PA then it
might be what I had....

Above 50 mph with a crosswind from the right at 25 mph or better the
noise was elicited. I finally applied 6 " strips of electrical tape
over the windshield reveal molding rubber strip until the noise stopped.
I then removed the tape bit by bit to confirm the location of the
problem.

I took it to a automotive glass repair shop and they sealed the rubber
strip in place. No problems since then.

HTH

Greg in IN

 

[Jim Stewart]

2001 Subaru Outback wagon.

There is a strange whistling/buzzing noise when up to speed (more
than about 55 mph.) It seems to be affected by the wind. It
appears to originate just outside the left (driver's) window.

Is there something vibrating out there? Possibly the rubber gasket
between the window and the window frame?

Anybody else have this problem?

I get a light wind whistle from both the antenna
being up and from the Bosch aftermarket windshield
wipers. Usually giving the windshield wipers a
twitch with the switch solves the problem until
I use them again.

 

[Dominic Richens]

2001 Subaru Outback wagon.

There is a strange whistling/buzzing noise when up to speed (more
than about 55 mph.) It seems to be affected by the wind. It
appears to originate just outside the left (driver's) window.

Is there something vibrating out there? Possibly the rubber gasket
between the window and the window frame?

Anybody else have this problem?

Is your Outback's transmission MT or AT?

I had an annoying buzzing that came and went - seemed to depend on speed,
typically happened more at highway speeds. Sounded like it was outside I
eventually realized that it went away when I rested my hand on the MT
shifter!!

Diagnosed it was a worn shifter bushing/broken spring.

 

[David Crist]

Earle Jones


If the noise could be described as a demented kazoo thru a PA then it
might be what I had....

Above 50 mph with a crosswind from the right at 25 mph or better the
noise was elicited. I finally applied 6 " strips of electrical tape
over the windshield reveal molding rubber strip until the noise stopped.
I then removed the tape bit by bit to confirm the location of the
problem.

I took it to a automotive glass repair shop and they sealed the rubber
strip in place. No problems since then.

HTH

Greg in IN

Greg in IN is correct. I deduced the location and cause of the sound
in exactly the same manner. Local windshield installer fixed it with
a bit of silicone caulk.

 

[mark jb]

Greg in IN is correct. I deduced the location and cause of the sound

in exactly the same manner. Local windshield installer fixed it with
a bit of silicone caulk.

Most whistling noises are caused by the gusset windows, due to subarus
having no window frame.
When you constantly shut the doors using the glass to push against, this
puts the window alignment slightly out and allows a tiny bit of air in at
speed.

Any noise from a windshield means the windshield was not installed properly
to begin with; especially if a quick squirt of silicone can fix it.

Very easy to fix in either case.

-mark

 

[Greg in IN]

mark jb wrote in message

Any noise from a windshield means the windshield was not installed properly
to begin with; especially if a quick squirt of silicone can fix it.

Very easy to fix in either case.

What makes this different was the OP descriptive "buzzing noise"...
phrase. This particular noise isn't really a whistle...it is a near
deafening raspy buzz that makes a conversation impossible...This thing
is LOUD. The other thing that sets this noise apart is that it requires
a special circumstance of a very strong crosswind to cause it. Most
other wind noises and whistles are less particular. It took me 3 or 4
years to figure out what the problem was coming from because the noise
was so infrequent--only 3 or 4 times in the life of the car (OBW Ltd
2000). When the noise was occurring it would go away if the road
changed direction (altering the crosswind angle) or it was foul weather
and I was coming back from a xc ski trip. Finally had a day with heavy
winds and I had the time to drive and provoke the noise and that was the
end of the problem.

I'm not sure that the windshield is installed incorrectly though....
the other side of my windshield trim molding isn't adhered down and I
haven't had any noise from it. Could be I haven't had a crosswind from
the left to provoke the noise. I suspect the problem lies with the
rubber trim molding itself or its installation.

Greg in IN

 

[Jim]

mark jb wrote in message

What makes this different was the OP descriptive "buzzing noise"...
phrase. This particular noise isn't really a whistle...it is a near
deafening raspy buzz that makes a conversation impossible...This thing
is LOUD. The other thing that sets this noise apart is that it requires
a special circumstance of a very strong crosswind to cause it. Most
other wind noises and whistles are less particular. It took me 3 or 4
years to figure out what the problem was coming from because the noise
was so infrequent--only 3 or 4 times in the life of the car (OBW Ltd
2000). When the noise was occurring it would go away if the road
changed direction (altering the crosswind angle) or it was foul weather
and I was coming back from a xc ski trip. Finally had a day with heavy
winds and I had the time to drive and provoke the noise and that was the
end of the problem.

I'm not sure that the windshield is installed incorrectly though....
the other side of my windshield trim molding isn't adhered down and I
haven't had any noise from it. Could be I haven't had a crosswind from
the left to provoke the noise. I suspect the problem lies with the
rubber trim molding itself or its installation.

Greg in IN

Your description in the first lines above is EXACTLY what I have
experienced, although only two times. It did see to me that it
requires a certain minimum headwind, rather than crosswind component.

Anyway...thanks for your earlier solution. Will do that.

Jim

 

[Blair Baucom]

My 2005 Forester XS has always whistled when I pass a tractor trailer or get
close to 100 mph. Sounds like it comes from top of wind shield near the rear
view mirror. The molding on the Subaru wind shield does have an odd shape
with a deep recess.

Blair

 

[k. ote]

2001 Subaru Outback wagon.

There is a strange whistling/buzzing noise when up to speed (more
than about 55 mph.) It seems to be affected by the wind. It
appears to originate just outside the left (driver's) window.

Is there something vibrating out there? Possibly the rubber gasket
between the window and the window frame?

Anybody else have this problem?

Thanks!

earle
*

If it's the same noise I have (and have had) with my WRX and now my STi, the
noise is coming from the driver's side rearview mirror (or possibly the
passenger-side rearview mirror.) There is a seam which appears to like
whistling. I'm not sure if Subaru put it there on purpose (so when I wander
in and ask them about the whistle, they know I've been going fast with the
car..?)

Anyway, you can eliminate it by tucking the mirrors in, or by one of the
other creative methods other people like to use: electrician's tape around
the mirror's joint seam, a permanent modification to the joint.. etc.

 

[k. ote]

http://groups.google.com/group/alt....nk=st&q=subaru+gusset&rnum=1#06913f19b444eb39

If that link doesn't work, search Google Groups for "subaru gusset".
Simple fix is to open the window and squeeze the inside & outside triangle
bits together.
Complex fix is to open up the door and adjust the clips. Both are detailed
in the above thread.

This isn't the same issue I have. In the google poster's case, the sound was
a hissing noise and had to do with a window seal.

I have no trouble with the rubber, and the noise is instead a high-pitched
whine or whistle which is instantly solved by tucking the mirrors in or
wrapping the mirror joint with tape. Something about the way the rearview
mirrors are designed makes them whine at speed.

 

[Theodrake]

Anyway, you can eliminate it by tucking the mirrors in, or by one of the
other creative methods other people like to use: electrician's tape around
the mirror's joint seam, a permanent modification to the joint.. etc.

I believe I'm getting whistling from the rack cross bars, short of
removing them while not in use, any known ways to reduce this whistling?

 

[k. ote]

I believe I'm getting whistling from the rack cross bars, short of
removing them while not in use, any known ways to reduce this whistling?

Have you tried tucking the mirrors in or putting electricians' tape around
the mirror joints?

If this doesn't eliminate it for you, then your noise is completely
different than the noises I've had in both my old WRX and now my STi, and
I'd better bow out of this particular advice column.