[rumblings]

For the past few thousand miles, I sometimes get a pretty loud whistling while driving at highway speeds. It sounds like it is coming from the upper part of the windshield, but it is hard to pinpoint. It usually seems to happen more frequently on windy days, and sometimes during a 2 hour highway drive will come and go throughout the drive. It sounds like wind whistling through a crack in the weatherstripping or something.

-I checked the windshield weatherstripping and couldn't see any gaps or damage.
-Door windows are fully shut.
-No modifications to any of the front of the van.
-My front door flare trim molding on driver side did rip off during a windy highway day in TX a few months ago and has not been replaced... perhaps this is the culprit? [Bonus Question: where is the best place to replace this part? 2018 2500 Promaster, part number: 5LP21LAHAB?]

Anyone else have this happen? Any easy fixes? I can live with it, but wanted to ask.

 

[TarpitCarnivore]

Do you have anything mounted on the roof? Could be a roof rack, awning, basically anything up there.

 

[rumblings]

I do have a Unaka roof rack with solar panels. It seems like the noise is much closer, but maybe it is the roof rack!

 

[siriusblue]

I had a similar problem. Straight ahead at 80MPH was not an issue, but any significant cross wind coming from the Passenger Side would cause a whistling noise. Nothing leaking, just whistling with cross winds. There appears to be a 1/4” gap from the front edge of the glass to where the seal material starts on mine in some spots. I’ve read elsewhere where folks would have the entire windshield replaced/resealed, but I just bought an external seal which fits in the gap perfectly, but needed an additional bead of sealant to hold it in. The seal I got needed maybe 18” cut off after being fit around the entire window. Maybe not super elegant, and I’ve got some excess sealant to clean up, but whistle free for about 2000 miles now - and that’s driving with high wind advisories at least once a week for the past month.

 

[TarpitCarnivore]

I do have a Unaka roof rack with solar panels. It seems like the noise is much closer, but maybe it is the roof rack!

Did you start noticing the sound before or after you put the rack on? When we had a rack I’d hear steady whistle that seemed to be right over our heads.

 

[rumblings]

I'm wondering if it is the seal on the windshield - what @siriusblue is describing is exactly what happens.

Some pretty large gaps down at the bottom edge near windshield wipers, and its hard to tell if the other three edges are OK or not...

@siriusblue did you do all 4 sides with that gasket+sealant?

 

[HippieGypsy]

I've got those same gaps on my windshield but no whistling. I used to carry kayaks atop both vans and cars and between the racks and the boats it was always mysterious as to how the wind noise would manifest. Taping areas off before adding sealants and weatherstripping might be a less expensive troubleshooting process.

 

[siriusblue]

I'm wondering if it is the seal on the windshield - what @siriusblue is describing is exactly what happens.

Some pretty large gaps down at the bottom edge near windshield wipers, and its hard to tell if the other three edges are OK or not...

@siriusblue did you do all 4 sides with that gasket+sealant?

I did (3) sides - started on the PS, across the top (which is a PITA - I have a 6-step, foldable platform that I use to reach the high areas on the van, but the center top of the windshield is pushing the extent of my reach), then down the DS - all one, continuous strip. I cut 2 small reliefs on the inside edge to go around the corners. I used a screen rolling tool for spots that needed a bit of a push to get into the gap, but mostly pressed it in by hand and rolled over it with a sound deadening roller (wallpaper roller would work).

Full disclosure - first try I didn’t use the bead of sealant, and I was stopped about 1/2 way through my 60 mile commute to pull it off because parts of it were flapping around in the wind after coming loose.

Also, I wonder if the sealant alone, run down the passenger side of the window, would have fixed the issue, but I’m satisfied that I have a uniform look. It actually looks like it belongs there.

 

[rumblings]

This is all great intel, thanks yall! I am going to check the roof rack and see if there are any obvious places that might be catching wind and whistling, then attempt to seal the windshield if that doesn't work. The windshield job might have to wait until next month though, since I am on the road until then, and amazon doesn't deliver to my van.

I will report back.

 

[RamCares]

We see that you have received some great advice from your fellow forum members! However, if these suggestions do not address your concern and you decide to visit your dealer, our team would be happy to offer additional assistance throughout that process! We're available via private message.

Callie
Ram Cares

 

[rumblings]

Thanks so much @RamCares