Helicopter Noise With Rear Windows Open

ewsj · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-2004, 09:33 AM

I have a 2004 Highlander that I bought a couple of months ago - a great car! However, I have a very irritating rattle/squeak that sounds like it is coming from the interior of the vehicle, somewhere in the rear. I have checked everything I can think of - seatbelts, mats, comparments covers, etc. and still can't find the source of the noise. The noise is only audible at highway speeds.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

memaster · #2 (**permalink**) 05-21-2004, 05:50 PM

I GOT THE NOISE OF MINE HL FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WINDOW AND THE PANEL DIRECTLY BELOW THE STEERING WHEEL. I PLAN A TRIP TO THE DEALER AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN PICK IT UP...

mustang67408 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-21-2004, 08:15 PM

This may sound strange, but check to see if the license plate rattles or
make sure the roof rack bows are tight and there are no screws missing. The roof racks are notorious for losening the screws in the bows and rattling.This rattle transmits thru the roof and it will sound like it is coming from inside the vehicle.
Hope this helps, only thing i can think of off the top of my head.

ryanflowers22 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-11-2004, 10:33 AM

My 04 Highlander vibrates when you let the back windows down and leave the front windows up. The faster you go, the more it vibrates. It will literally hurt you ears to sit in the vehicle the faster you go. It is unbearable for more than a few seconds at 60 +. Letting the front windows down seems to eliminate the problem. Does any one else have this problem? I am assuming it some sort of design flaw. I love everything else about the vehicle, I just don't let the back windows down anymore.

mustang67408 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-11-2004, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanflowers22

My 04 Highlander vibrates when you let the back windows down and leave the front windows up. The faster you go, the more it vibrates. It will literally hurt you ears to sit in the vehicle the faster you go. It is unbearable for more than a few seconds at 60 +. Letting the front windows down seems to eliminate the problem. Does any one else have this problem? I am assuming it some sort of design flaw. I love everything else about the vehicle, I just don't let the back windows down anymore.

It really isnt a flaw, when you have the rear windows only open, you are creating a wind chamber inside the vehicle, many other TOYOTA VEHICLES DO IT AS WELL AS OTHER MANUFACTURERS VEHICLES DO THIS. With the front windows down, this eliminates the excessive air pressure build up inside the vehicle, Or the rear window will also eleviate this problem in a sequoia.
Just my (.02)
Victor

Brklyndriver · #6 (**permalink**) 06-11-2004, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang67408

It really isnt a flaw, when you have the rear windows only open, you are creating a wind chamber inside the vehicle, many other TOYOTA VEHICLES DO IT AS WELL AS OTHER MANUFACTURERS VEHICLES DO THIS. With the front windows down, this eliminates the excessive air pressure build up inside the vehicle, Or the rear window will also eleviate this problem in a sequoia.
Just my (.02)
Victor

I think your talking about the helicopter effect, if only the back windows are open at high speed u get an unbearable helicopter sound inside the car. It does happen in many cars as well as in my highlander. Just open all four windows and u should have no problem. (the other .98)

edwardh1 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-24-2004, 09:40 AM

Anyone following the edmunds forum highlander problems and solutions some of yesterdays posts about 1 guy who says the noise is caused by a flapper valve in the left rear fender exhaust port (drivers side).
he has pix

nes · #8 (**permalink**) 07-24-2004, 10:08 AM

Yes...if it wer'nt raining so hard i would investigate this. I admit i was somewhat lost where the flapper is on the Highlander...is it ducted to a interior vent/grille located elsewhere?

i was looking into something like a window vent to solve this problem.

Brklyndriver · #9 (**permalink**) 07-24-2004, 10:21 AM

can u post a link to the topic?

nes · #10 (**permalink**) 07-24-2004, 03:00 PM

in this
Highlander Forum

nes · #11 (**permalink**) 07-24-2004, 03:05 PM

there are 2 grilles at the rear of the highlander.
The one on the driver's side looks close unless you view it from below.
I hadnt noticed this before. The passenger side is completely closed.

hmmm...wonder how this panel come off....

edwardh1 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-25-2004, 08:14 AM

it was hard for me to find where the exhauster port is-
you can not see the port piece itself-
the one mentioned above (grille) is just where the air leaves the passenger area on the drivers side in the back - passengers side looks the same but is sealed up.

if you put the ac on "outside air" , high speed fan, and close the doors and windows , the air blows out the drivers side, rear, lower edge of the fender, about 1 ft in front of the bumper. lay down on the ground and look up under where the driver's side tail light wraps around the side of the car. the exhaust air hole is about 1 inch wide and 18 inches long. the exhauster port is up in there somewhere under the tail light assembly.

guy on edmunds claims this causes the helicopter noise

old vw bugs were very tight and did not have these vents