Vent whistle? High pitch, drivers side.

[mblgjr]

Car has done this since new.

This video clip is taken in the garage, engine off. KOEO; fan speed 4/5/6 going up/down to accentuate the noise.

Most pronounced on outside air/vent. Recirculate greatly reduces the noise when stationary; but remains some when at road speed.

Cracking the window also allows the whistling to cease; as does turning the blower motor off completely.

Reminds me of an old vent-window GM truck; lol. But, it's pretty annoying.

The origin of the noise is on the drivers side, left-most vent discharge area. The glass seems to be sealing correctly, etc. I don't feel any wind leaks when in motion.

If there are cross winds/air gusts, they make the whistle change pitch/tone momentarily. Outside air influences it. It gets slightly louder when in motion.

Any tips or suggestions as to where to look/how to remedy this would be appreciated.

Video is taken sitting in the garage, engine not running.

http://s639.photobucket.com/user/04redfire/media/Viperventwhistle_zpsf476395b.mp4.html

[ViperSmith]

To be honest, tweet the issue at Ralph

[mblgjr]

Good idea thanks.

[Policy Limits]

Only wind I feel is at my feet on the pedals. Hot wind.

Red white and bluuueeee. Haha. Sigh.

[mblgjr]

I can deal with that heat; lol.

This is one of those annoying things that shouldn't be there.

[Policy Limits]

Frustrating. Feel for the guys who have the doors pop open. And the guy who's rear window that shattered from putting on the rear defroster. My horn was beeping in the middle of the night so I pulled the fuse out. Yeeee haww.

[Jack B]

There some harmless/odorless diagnostic smoke generators. Set one off (in the car) in a dark garage and a flash light should show the egress point.

[IndyRon]

After watching the video, I can see how that would be highly annoying...

[RSNAKE]

My car does the same thing if the window is open just a tiny bit. For example when you shut the door it might make the sound before the window automatically goes back up and seals completely.

Try just moving both windows all the way up. My guess is that one of them is not adjusted properly and is not moving up and sealing completely once the doors shut.

[ViperSmith]

Have you tried taking the vent out completely to see if it is the fixture itself?

[mblgjr]

I've not pulled the actual vent since closing the face or covering it with my palm doesn't change the tone.

I'm aware of the smoke machines/bombs. May try that for sure.

Also, it makes the whistle with the window "up", and stops whistling with window barely unseated/rolled down.

Window *appears* to be seating correctly. I've never tried to see if opening passenger window has equal effect, but I doubt it.

Thanks. Keep suggestions rolling.

[ViperSmith]

well if it does this while the vehicle is off i don't think it has anything to do with the window

that sound would drive me absolutely insane though

[cashcorn]

That is really annoying. If it was mine, I would make an appointment with the srt tech from where purchased & never leave the car unattended.. Should be an easy fix, just time consuming. Once it is fixed, you will once again be happy. Take it in and get it done!

[EZ 2B Green]

This is likely an incorrectly installed seal (assuming there is one) or a torn seal between the actual vent unit and the HVAC duct that it plugs into. If SRT didn't use a separate seal at this interface, the repair could be a little more complicated. If someone has a service manual that describes the vent removal you could likely repair this yourself.

[RSNAKE]

well if it does this while the vehicle is off i don't think it has anything to do with the window

that sound would drive me absolutely insane though

Mine will do it if the windows are not sealed, with the car off but the fan blowing. It seems like the fan is pulling air in from the outside. When the windows are shut, the fan has to fight against the air pressure in the car, as it is effectively trying to pressurize the interior slightly. With the window open enough, there is no issue, as the pressure will be equalized inside and out. With it open just a crack, just barely not sealed, it seems to be creating some sort of odd pressure dynamic that is creating the noise. Maybe it is just my car. It doesn't bother me, as it only happens in a very specific set of circumstances that rarely occurs. I did notice it however. The sound was the same as in the video of the OP and it bothered me a lot until I figured out how to make it stop, which in my case was to either fully close the window or open it further.

[mblgjr]

Rsnake we are somewhat on the same page. Mine does it with the window fully closed. Will get worse whenever just unseat the window, then go away when down enough to have a gap.

Yes, the vent piece does have an open cell foam seal between it and the discharge tube in the dash. Hower, if I close said vent and place my palm over it, the whistle tune doesn't change. Covering it should force air to blow thru said seal or gap and make it worse.

I don't want to think about taking it to the dealer yet. I'm used to dealing with things like this, but this is a new one because I can't pinpoint the origin.

My description is a bit inaccurate since I've been chasing this, I first thought it was the vent, bit it's likely in the glass area. It's a nondirectional sound from the A pillar area.

[mblgjr]

Ok major breakthrough

Turned fan on high, closed everything and I stood outside the car.

Both windows are "blowing out" @ top seal edge.

They both track up and appear to seat correctly in the trim, etc. But there's air coming out around the forward/upper edges of both. Drivers side is much much worse than pass.

So can anyone comment as to how to adjust the regulators and/or tilt the glass inward a bit? If it's even possible.

Edit: retrained the "smart glass" up/down limits. No change in positioning.

[EZ 2B Green]

Interesting, do the windows seat against the top seal edge in a different (correct) position and seal if the fan blower is off? Also, does the problem go away if the system is in recirculation mode? I'm wondering if the real problem is that the exhaust venting for the interior is not working properly, so the interior is being overly pressurized. This would force the glass off of the seal as you describe. You may want to do a little more troubleshooting before making window adjustments to make sure this is not the case.
Good luck!

[Jack B]

Does anyone know whether there is a outward vent other than the one below the rear of the back glass.

[mblgjr]

Interesting, do the windows seat against the top seal edge in a different (correct) position and seal if the fan blower is off?

They appear to be the same as far as how they are positioned and seal between driver/passenger. However, the Drivers side leaks more air.

Also, does the problem go away if the system is in recirculation mode? Yes, Recirc does improve/lessen the nosie; however the drivers side is loose enough that I get exterior wind-influenced noise when at speed. Basically 50mph +, I have a wind leak on the drivers side. It becomes most apparent with crosswinds. Though recirc fixes the noise when sitting still; I still have noise when driving.

I'm wondering if the real problem is that the exhaust venting for the interior is not working properly, so the interior is being overly pressurized. This would force the glass off of the seal as you describe. You may want to do a little more troubleshooting before making window adjustments to make sure this is not the case.
Good luck!

I had also considered the cabin vent may be stuck shut in some manner. However, The glass doesn't seem to actually be getting "blown off" the seal so much as it just isn't sealing properly. I can take my thumb/palm and press firmly on the exterior body trim and force the outermost rubber lip against the glass and make it stop whistling. Right now it seems I just need the edge of the glass to move outboard a bit so it presses firmly into place. I'm surprised there isn't a clip or a better seal design. One in which the glass could actually slip into a channel that isn't relying purely on "exact pressure" to work.

[TrackAire]

I had also considered the cabin vent may be stuck shut in some manner. However, The glass doesn't seem to actually be getting "blown off" the seal so much as it just isn't sealing properly. I can take my thumb/palm and press firmly on the exterior body trim and force the outermost rubber lip against the glass and make it stop whistling. Right now it seems I just need the edge of the glass to move outboard a bit so it presses firmly into place. I'm surprised there isn't a clip or a better seal design. One in which the glass could actually slip into a channel that isn't relying purely on "exact pressure" to work.

My personal experience is the fan/HVAC system cannot generate enough pressure to dislodge the window from the seal, even if every outlet vent is plugged. I think you're on the right path that it is a mis-adjustment of the window/seal mating surface.

Good luck, that sound would drive me nuts.

[mblgjr]

So does anyone know how the door panels release and if the tracking can be adjusted? Figured I'd ask before diving in.