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The virtual world where everthing is designed today doesnt have ears.
Today while driving with all the windows UP, as usual i had no resonance issue. It was a little warm in the vehicle, so for some reason I decided to roll down a little bit JUST the 2nd row window on the drivers side. I was driving in the city at about 40-45mph and about 3 or 4 minutes after letting the window down, I began to hear a "buffeting/helicopter blades in motion" type of sound. I could hear it in my ears AND feel it across my body. I have a '95 Mitsubishi Eclipse and once in blue moon, when i have the windows down, I have heard/felt the exact same thing i was hearing/feeling in the Armada. When I heard/felt the noise today I immediately thought "Uh oh, resonance problem". So i decided to test something. With the 2nd row drivers side window still slightly down, I opened up the two 3rd row side windows and immediately upon doing so, the buffeting stopped. I then closed the 3rd row windows and the buffeting came back. I then rolled up the 2nd row window and everything was quiet as a mouse.....just like it normally has been.
Now, after typing all of this, I'm pretty sure that what I experienced was nothing more than wind buffetting caused by having the one window open. I've let down my windows before in all different types of configurations and never heard what i heard today. BUT I KNOW FOR A FACT I'VE NEVER LET DOWN JUST THAT PARTICULAR WINDOW ALONE...AND TODAY I HEARD IT.
I'm sure everyone with the resonance issue has already checked and rechecked, but I'd just like to suggest checking a third time to make sure ALL of your windows are FULLY up to verify that the resonance is coming when the windows ARE up. Maybe a window is slightly off track and NOT closing completely (i know i seem to be reaching for an answer, but i'm just trying to throw out possible causes).
Very observant of ya my good man, very observant!
Just one comment from me: When you fix (i.e. add a break or stiffener) sheet metal in the center you halve the wavelength of the resonant oscillation thereby doubling the frequency. (The product of wavelength and frequency is the propagation speed of the oscillation.)
dboogi: I think you're talking about a distinct phenomenon, one which occurs in a lot of vehicles and is sometimes characterized as a helicopter or thumping sound. That's strictly an internal response to air pressure fluctuations due to air passing by the opened window (Bernoulli effect) whereby the cabin acts as a resonance chamber. From the descriptions I've read here "the resonance problem" seems to stem from improperly set sheet metal on the roof of the vehicle.
tidester, host
- QX and Armada have the exactly same roof. Also, with or without sunroof, the middle long strip are equal in length and width. If your theory is 100% correct, then there should be no variance in models (LE, SE, etc.) However, on this board, you heard more people with resonance problem w/o sunroof. Any comments? Or, maybe people are jumping to conclusion here. Or, maybe, under the sheet metal, the ones with sunroofs are more solid in structure (therefore, higher RF).
- If the theory is correct, a simple sunroof wind-deflector would break the air flow and alleviate the problem. Anyone care to try? (would cost you less than $100, and good for quiet conversation with sunroof opened anyway)
tidester, host
chasmanz28; Every roof on any newer vehicle is weak. The main strength of structure comes from the pillars and the internal bracing, the roof provides little if any structural strength it is just a skin much like our own it stretches and twists and bends but our strength comes from our bones. Also adding a wind deflector may not do anything but it may and it seems to me anything is worth a shot as are some of the other things I posted. Will any of the things I listed make the problem go away maybe and maybe not but they could lessen the effects and make it easier on you but you wont know until you try or you could wait until Nissan figures out what to do. Also you stated that it starts as you hit bumps, the bumps are what send it all into motion. Once it starts how long does it continue?
tidester; that would be great, anything thing is worth a shot but I think the most sucess would be disturbing the the air toward the front but this all just a theory but if it doesnt thats one thing we know that wont work.
Also when I was talking about the wind deflector I was talking about the one that that goes on the front of the hood, but the one for a sunroof may work also or both but we know not having both doesnt.
Do you have the deflector for the sunroof?
If you can, can you push up on the center of the cabin inside from front to back and side to side and kinda feel for supports and see if you can feel if the metal is right on top of the roof padding or if there is a gap and room for supports.
Can you have somebody drive and wait for it to start and then push up with your palm on the roof and see if it stops and hard you have to push to make it stop.
At the moment it is still possible for Nissan representatives to deny its existence ("I can't hear it.."), or to belittle its importance. If we could provide some nice fat figures it would be great.....
It may not be any thinner than on other Nissans, just the expanses between the pillars and beams are a lot bigger.
-juice
(ok that was just a little stereo-typical car salesman humor...I don't mean to offend anyone. By the way, my dealership is great, never ever had any pressure to buy anything or stick around the dealership one second longer than I wanted to. When i was ready to deal, we dealt...quick, easy and pain-free).
I've been to dealers where my wife and I were completely ignored in the past. I wasn't even a twenty something back then either. Really ticked me off so I can't even imagine what it would be like to be asked to leave.
Thanks in advance for any help!!
It would be easiest to fasten some support from the outside as in another rack peice with little pillars that bolt from the inside to the outside . If I was them thats what I would do and alleviate teariing out the headliner and it would be cheaper.
I will say they are a blast to drive much better than the seq to me.
tidester, host
EVERY TIME I crank the engine, I get a "disclaimer" screen on the GSP display and have to click on a box that says "I AGREE." This isn't a huge deal, but it's annoying to have to click this box 6 times a day.
Is there any way to get rid of, or "bypass", this screen ???
-juice
Dboogie- I wouldn't panic about towing...if you can wheel this monster around by itself, a Mitsubishi isn't going to add too much complication! Just remember to park in open spaces so you don't get boxed in, avoid having to back out of anywhere until you have mastered it, and steer wide around sharp turns. Probably the cheapest route would be to rent a 2 axle trailer, from a trucking company like penske or U Haul. AND, if you come out my way, my Black Armada will probably need a wash job LOL Gee I wonder if the parking sonar will pick up the trailer and beep solid....anyone know this?
Thanks again.
but wish me luck this weekend we're going to the auto show, and then probably to the dealor to work out some numbers... the number part is about the only thing that I don't like but I've learned rather well from my father how to walk out if they start acting like you NEED there car and only they have the car you want or can afford... thanx for letting me blow steam and we'll let you know sunday how everything goes
My question to those with this resonance issue, have any of you started to pursue the lemon laws in your prospective states? It might take some of you doing that to give the Nissan brass a kick in the donkey.
I consider my self lucky, as I don't have the problem. Since one of the vehicles I test drove had is severely, I was acutely aware to look for it. What scares me is some people have said that it started after they have owned for a while. Keep us informed what Nissan is/isn't doing for you all. And Good Luck.