Viberation noise in dash area at high speeds

[tntappl]

This is driving me nuts!! We have a 2006 E150 van we use for our Appliance Service business - all of the sudden yesterday while driving on the expressway it started this very loud viberation noise in the dash area - we shut down the AC thats not it, we called the dealer and took it in they thought it had to do with the drivers side head light and what they called a turblance noise- we took the grill off and the head light was all fine - noise seems to be at the fire wall on the drivers side - Any clues what we should look at?

[tntappl]

OK Noise changes when you turn on the wipers - We have had the van for almost 2 years never been recked and this noise just started on Monday after our last service call on the highway after a semi truck passed - now the noise will get quiter if someone is in front blocking the air - kind of sounds like plastic on metal but everything we check is tight - This is making me CRAZY!!

[YoGeorge]

Originally Posted by tntappl

OK Noise changes when you turn on the wipers - We have had the van for almost 2 years never been recked and this noise just started on Monday after our last service call on the highway after a semi truck passed - now the noise will get quiter if someone is in front blocking the air - kind of sounds like plastic on metal but everything we check is tight - This is making me CRAZY!!

Sounds annoying for sure. Can you describe the noise a bit better? Feel a vibration in the footwell/gas pedal? Metallic noise, or "sounds like ____"? Pitch and volume change with speed, and if so, how? Changes when you turn on wipers is really confusing.... Does the noise cycle when the wipers cycle, or what?

Could it be something like heat shields on the catalytic converters buzzing against the floor? I have an '02 E150; I have the heat shield on the main muffler, farther back, clanging around, but nothing like your noise.

George

[tntappl]

George,
The noise is not there at speeds under 40 - 45 and lessens when you are behind a semi or other large car that is blocking the wind. We have narrowed it down to the Hard Plastic piece outside the van that holds the windshield wipers and the squerters due to the noise change when you turn them on. We are on the way home to remove that piece and take her for a run and make sure. Will let you know -

[YoGeorge]

Originally Posted by tntappl

George,
The noise is not there at speeds under 40 - 45 and lessens when you are behind a semi or other large car that is blocking the wind. We have narrowed it down to the Hard Plastic piece outside the van that holds the windshield wipers and the squerters due to the noise change when you turn them on. We are on the way home to remove that piece and take her for a run and make sure. Will let you know -

That would be strange, but I have heard trim around windshields make noise. That piece on my '02 van has always been a problem because the windshield squirters are mounted solidly on it, and they are aimed too high. When my van was new, one of my warranty repairs was to have the dealer remove it and try to re-angle it; helped a bit but not completely.

You could tape over it temporarily, NASCAR-style, with duct tape to check it out--but I would imagine it will feel loose if that's the problem.

George

[tntappl]

That is what it was George - we got home took off the wiper cowl and took it for a ride and at about 50 it started at this point I took off the seat belt and started listening to the dash and noticed the noise was coming from the upper windshield so we pulled over and sure enough looked at upper windshield and it was pulled out so we took some high temp glue and glued it back in. Well see tomorrow

[tntappl]

YES!!! it is a quite ride today! That fixed it! Thanks for the insight.