Imagine the sound of blowing on those stoneware jugs but non-stop. Sounds like its coming from under the hood (maybe) but I can't isolate it. Starts at 70-ish mph but always by 80mph. Stops if I get in "dirty air" behind a large vehicle, but starts up again immediately if I move over and am in "clean" air again. Thought it was the missing Washer Fluid Reservoir cap but replaced that and the sound is still there. Thought it was wind flow over the windshield since the low pitch of the whistle makes it more difficult to pinpoint, but it continued no matter whether I have the wiper blades moving or not. Only thing I can do to affect it is to slow down below 65mph. Starts at 70 but continues even as I slow down to 65. Wont start again until I get over 70. Sometimes it takes until 75 or 80, but will always continue after I decelerate from those speeds to below 65, then stops. Also slightly changes pitch if I use the windshield washer fluid. Checked under the front bumper and a couple of the push-in connectors that hold the bumper to the frame were missing so I replaced those with no change. Tires have been regularly rotated and I'm skeptical that they are to blame since the "clean/dirty" air affects it immediately. I'll try to get someone to ride with me this week to record an audio of the sound if possible.

 

Was So glad to stumble on this thread after many years- but excitement turned to frustration have a ‘07 model- had the exact same issue a few years back- started down the road of taping up all possible things- checking all the obvious ones (clips, bumper stop levels, etc) could never solve it- but eventually did something simple- the problem
went away! It came back about 2 years ago (the misses drives it 99% of the time) and for the life of me cannot remember what it was- just that it was something simple like new wipers, wheel rotation or even the little Ariel that wasnt screwed in.

I thought this answer pointing to top windshield rubber could be it! .. but turned out not in my case. I removed wipers, taped up most openings bit by bit to find “the one”- couldn’t get to the bottom of it.

Memory might be wrong, but I vaguely remember windshield being replaced a few years back for a crack - could it be they didnt fit it properly?

any additional ideas would be great! Seems it’s an issue plaguing different models for years now.

 

Ended up being the seal at the top of the windshield. Used some black duct tape torn in half and run along the width of the top of the windshield. Works like a charm for now until I can get it to the glass folks. The problem was the seal peeled back. No leakage, just air flow making it flap/vibrate like a mf...

 

I had a Nissan pickup with a windshield leak after 24 years of use. Sealed it with black roofing tar that came in a caulking tube. Worked great. No more leaks. Only cost a few dollars. Have clean rags for the excess. Best of luck Clay

 

i stuck some wide tape all over All the seals,
even between the bonnet and body openings, didnt make any difference- my seals also still look very good and in tact- I read on other threads similar issues after windshield replacement- pointed to lower end of A pillar trim where the windshield stops- had a loo there and if you pull out the small runner covers and get underneath the hard plastic you can see where the glass stops- somewhere in that area apparently.

i vaguely remember when the windshield was replaced- there was some rubber seal that was “re-used” to cover up the glas edge after the black glue dried.. and I never watched them “re-clip” all the trimm that goes betwee wiper blade mounts and the bottom glass section against the window… maybe they botched that somewhow- but was a few years ago, so no chance of getting them back… would have to go to a window fitment shop and ask them on stripping/re-assembling.

I mentioned this to the wider family, and another member with a completely different vehicle (old Subaru Forester) had the same issue- windshield replaced, whistling around 70+ mph- eventually had the window re-fit, never had the issue again.

will keep you posted, might also try and record the sound- see we can upload audio files.

 

I'd wondered how the windshield folks would address a car like the fit. I'll upload the procedure for removing the large plastic cowl shortly. All it requires is a ratchet, 14mm socket for the wiper arms, and some automotive trim tools (available any auto parts store, lowes, harbor freight for ~$10). Oh, and having a baggy of should be enough to facilitate cowl removal many times, keeping it sucked tight to the whole width of the windshield.

You could remove the cowl and then head to the windshield place And I bet you'd be able to tell after a short test-drive if the windshield seal is the issue.

Update: Procedure added in attachment. Still hafta remove the wiper arms. Just pull their rubber nubs off (there's nothing to it, just pull), then going one at a time start to loosen the nuts on the arms, stand the arms up, remove nuts and then arms. Then do the cowl removal procedure here.

 

Thank you - will have a look.

I have attached a .wav sound clip - it's noisy so please ignore background noise. The sound I'm referring to starts at around second 8 - almost to the end - I reduced speed in the last second or 2 - please let me know if it's the same one - almost like blowing over the top of a glass coke bottle yes

 

Update a few months later…

Firstly still not solved… this is driving me nuts- especially as I fixed this a few years back- and it was something easy- but cannot remember. Steps I’ve done since last update - none of which resolved it:

1. Took it to a glass fitment centre- they had a test drive and good inspection afterwards- 100% sure it’s not the rubbers. To be absolutely sure we removed the whole plastic cowl- replaced all clips (one was missing!) and re fitted with industrial black “glue” all round underneath the edging- good luck removing it again!
2. New front tyres, mag straightened, balance and alignment all round.
3. Left it with my sharp mechanic for 3 days on the lift- stripped glovebox+panels around,
fan motor and went through all the vents with long pipes and blowers- also found a few plastic trim pieces underneath front bumper that were missing clips etc. He stopped short of dash assembly- which is a massive job- and simply cannot spot it. He’s convinced it’s somewhere within the AC, vents… also confirm no leaves stuck, that the fresh/recycle valve/flap seals and moves as you change in…

I had another look myself, found the cabin filter wasn’t fitted properly, so removed it completely as a test, before buying a new one next week- but no luck yet.

I’m convinced this is an inherent design flaw as you have numerous mention of it in many different Honda’s spanning many years and generations- and I’n beginning to understand why people eventually sell the vehicle like this.

I’ll be stripping some panel’s underneath the glovebox,
also remove fan units etc- might help with somebody driving and me sticking my head underneath with a flashlight to pinpoint maybe…Any additional ideas would
be great!

 

Sounds like you really dug into this one. Well, the old sound file is inaccessible. Be happy to give it another shot if you re-post or make a new one.

If you wind up near Atlanta give me a shout. Got pretty good ears for this kind of thing.

 

Since he's from South Africa, don't think it's gonna happen!

 

you never know -

found some other info regarding this as well, apparently some known TSB’s over the years from Honda for a few models It does relate to the window seal/rubber, so as a last effort going to spend some time tomorrow at the glass place to pull back the rubbers, add some sealant, and see what happens - although it doesn’t sound like “wind noise”… thats the tricky thing - without sound clips not easy to agree on the definition of “wind noise/howling” etc..

Interesting other find while looking between the panels- seems on the drivers side (RHD) , opening the door and looking in between the dash and outer panel above to wheel, I see a black “foam/noise reduction” filler piece, but on the left side( where I think the noise is coming from) no such panel just metal bodywork. - wonder if this is normal..

Will give some feedback re the window rubber fix probably in a day or two.

Will also try and record it again- tricky in these older cars…

I could still open the .wav file I posted earlier where the sound is from around 10 seconds into the clip- is it not accessible- or so you need a different format than .wav?

 

The original file and format would be good. No matter how many times I read the initial post, I still think it's the windshield. Maybe those rubber strips that run in channels over the roof. From description it sounds like a wind thing, and my experience with loose plastic cowl parts is clicking. The wipers don't change it, but washer fluid changes the pitch. The washer fluid is only going up and to the sides at those speeds.

Maybe you could try OP's trick just as a test. Apply tape over the windshield seams.

 

If access to a stethescope is available, then have your rider make their seat go as close as possible to the windshield and place the head of the 'scope on the windshield, both left and right side, then listen hard and long. Could help you accurately discover source.

BTW, if I may ask, what part of South Africa do you reside in? I've worked with a guy who lived in Capetown for a time.
Nik

 

Update after a few weeks (had to order part from Japan) - really thought this would be it What was missing on the left side (Right hand drive model Fit/Jazz) was the "Fender Inner Cover" I'll post a jpg.. it's s longish plastic piece - supposedly acts as wind deflector/sound deadening between inner panel and fender - exactly the source and side from which the noise originates in cross winds from the left. Panel shop removed fender, installed - and I just took it for a drive. Same noise still exist.

The dealer recall/fix of re-sealing around the windshield was also done, but that didn't help. I realize why people eventually sold the cars with it! 100% the Most frustrating thing - this happened before - around 5 years ago - and I was on the same forum link for the very same issue - and I managed to fix it back then. It was something stupid like the cabin filter, wiper blades, wheel rotation/allignment, front boot stopped adjustment.. something bizarre - but for the life of me - cannot remember what and how! I guess this is one of those things...

I'll upload the audio file again in .mp3, and also the picture of the fender inner panel that was replaced. It was actually missing from the left side for some reason. Audio - from around second 8 - 20.

Part no 9 - a long plastic cover.

 

HI Nik -Somerset West - around 50km from Cape Town

 

I really feel like in light of the repair rendered, tape is the only logical way to go. Cover every suspected area until the noise is gone, drive, and then peel it off one strip at a time until the noise comes back.

I think your old solution was the windshield seal.

 

Hi,

the tape up was around step 1 of this journey… i had ALL possible lines taped up…

and my searching last night on many other forums landed me on another one- the “steps taken” read almost like a carbon copy- that guy spent more than a year trying things, eventually found something on a russian site - and for his issue was the “eureka” fixed! - moment. Was a hood rubber under the front bonnet lip that was old/damaged- he just removed it to test and the noise was gone, and a replacement rubber seal was added, still silent.

the honda fit though doesn’t have one! The holes are there underneath- but no rubber seal. There was even a post on this forum where somebody also asked if a rubber seal should be present - answer was nope..

So I’ll scratch some more at some point, will update here if I find anything.

Was the audio file attached yesterday playable now and does it sound like the same noise?

 

Ahhg!! This is so tricky!

Well if you're thinking it could be the ducting that's affixed to the bonnet you could replace the kind of clips used with the christmas tree type. Those fasten tighter, but they're annoying to remove and should be replaced after removal.
You could go through methodically and supplement any fasteners that allow their component/cowl to wiggle.
Alternatively, you could make gaskets (which I've done for several projects, but nothing as large as that duct).
Cork rubber gasket material is thick and squishy