Interview the customer if possible, to determine the conditions that exist when the noise occurs. Use the Diag-
nostic Worksheet during the interview to document the facts and conditions when the noise occurs and any of
the customer's comments; refer to

EXT-6, "Diagnostic Worksheet"

. This information is necessary to duplicate

the conditions that exist when the noise occurs.
• The customer may not be able to provide a detailed description or the location of the noise. Attempt to obtain

all the facts and conditions that exist when the noise occurs (or does not occur).

• If there is more than one noise in the vehicle, be sure to diagnose and repair the noise that the customer is

concerned about. This can be accomplished by a test drive with the customer.

• After identifying the type of noise, isolate the noise in terms of its characteristics. The noise characteristics

are provided so the customer, service adviser and technician are all speaking the same language when
defining the noise.

• Squeak – (Like tennis shoes on a clean floor)

Squeak characteristics include the light contact/fast movement/brought on by road conditions/hard surfaces
= higher pitch noise/softer surfaces = lower pitch noises/edge to surface = chirping

• Creak – (Like walking on an old wooden floor)

Creak characteristics include firm contact/slow movement/twisting with a rotational movement/pitch depen-
dent on materials/often brought on by activity.

• Rattle – (Like shaking a baby rattle)

Rattle characteristics include the fast repeated contact/vibration or similar movement/loose parts/missing
clip or fastener/incorrect clearance.

• Knock – (Like a knock on a door)

Knock characteristics include hollow sounding/sometimes repeating/often brought on by driver action.

• Tick – (Like a clock second hand)

Tick characteristics include gentle contacting of light materials/loose components/can be caused by driver
action or road conditions.

• Thump – (Heavy, muffled knock noise)

Thump characteristics include softer knock/dead sound often brought on by activity.

• Buzz – (Like a bumble bee)

Buzz characteristics include high frequency rattle/firm contact.

• Often the degree of acceptable noise level will vary depending upon the person. A noise that you may judge

as acceptable may be very irritating to the customer.

• Weather conditions, especially humidity and temperature, may have a great effect on noise level.

DUPLICATE THE NOISE AND TEST DRIVE

SBT842

SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES

EXT-3

< SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS >

EXT

If possible, drive the vehicle with the customer until the noise is duplicated. Note any additional information on
the Diagnostic Worksheet regarding the conditions or location of the noise. This information can be used to
duplicate the same conditions when you confirm the repair.
If the noise can be duplicated easily during the test drive, to help identify the source of the noise, try to dupli-
cate the noise with the vehicle stopped by doing one or all of the following:
1) Close a door.
2) Tap or push/pull around the area where the noise appears to be coming from.
3) Rev the engine.
4) Use a floor jack to recreate vehicle “twist”.
5) At idle, apply engine load (electrical load, half-clutch on M/T model, drive position on A/T model).
6) Raise the vehicle on a hoist and hit a tire with a rubber hammer.
• Drive the vehicle and attempt to duplicate the conditions the customer states exist when the noise occurs.
• If it is difficult to duplicate the noise, drive the vehicle slowly on an undulating or rough road to stress the

vehicle body.

CHECK RELATED SERVICE BULLETINS

After verifying the customer concern or symptom, check ASIST for Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) related to
that concern or symptom.
If a TSB relates to the symptom, follow the procedure to repair the noise.

LOCATE THE NOISE AND IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSE

Narrow down the noise to a general area. To help pinpoint the source of the noise, use a listening tool
(Engine Ear or mechanics stethoscope).

Narrow down the noise to a more specific area and identify the cause of the noise by:

• removing the components in the area that you suspect the noise is coming from.

Do not use too much force when removing clips and fasteners, otherwise clips and fastener can be broken
or lost during the repair, resulting in the creation of new noise.

• tapping or pushing/pulling the component that you suspect is causing the noise.

Do not tap or push/pull the component with excessive force, otherwise the noise will be eliminated only tem-
porarily.

• feeling for a vibration with your hand by touching the component(s) that you suspect is (are) causing the

noise.

• placing a piece of paper between components that you suspect are causing the noise.
• looking for loose components and contact marks.

Refer to

EXT-4, "Inspection Procedure"

REPAIR THE CAUSE

• If the cause is a loose component, tighten the component securely.
• If the cause is insufficient clearance between components:
- separate components by repositioning or loosening and retightening the component, if possible.
- insulate components with a suitable insulator such as urethane pads, foam blocks, felt cloth tape or urethane

tape are available through your authorized Nissan Parts Department.

CAUTION:

Do not use excessive force as many components are constructed of plastic and may be damaged.
NOTE:
• URETHANE PADS

Insulates connectors, harness, etc.

• INSULATOR (Foam blocks)

Insulates components from contact. Can be used to fill space behind a panel.

• INSULATOR (Light foam block)
• FELT CLOTHTAPE

Used to insulate where movement does not occur. Ideal for instrument panel applications.
The following materials, not available through NISSAN Parts Department, can also be used to repair
squeaks and rattles.

• UHMW(TEFLON) TAPE

Insulates where slight movement is present. Ideal for instrument panel applications.

• SILICONE GREASE

Used in place of UHMW tape that will be visible or not fit.
Note: Will only last a few months.

• SILICONE SPRAY

Use when grease cannot be applied.

EXT-4

< SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS >

SQUEAK AND RATTLE TROUBLE DIAGNOSES

• DUCT TAPE

Use to eliminate movement.

CONFIRM THE REPAIR

Confirm that the cause of a noise is repaired by test driving the vehicle. Operate the vehicle under the same
conditions as when the noise originally occurred. Refer to the notes on the Diagnostic Worksheet.

Inspection Procedure

INFOID:0000000001115853

Refer to Table of Contents for specific component removal and installation information.

INSTRUMENT PANEL

Most incidents are caused by contact and movement between:
1.

Cluster lid A and instrument panel

Acrylic lens and combination meter housing

Instrument panel to front pillar garnish

Instrument panel to windshield

Instrument panel mounting pins

Wiring harnesses behind the combination meter

A/C defroster duct and duct joint

These incidents can usually be located by tapping or moving the components to duplicate the noise or by
pressing on the components while driving to stop the noise. Most of these incidents can be repaired by apply-
ing felt cloth tape or silicon spray (in hard to reach areas). Urethane pads can be used to insulate wiring har-
ness.

CAUTION:

Do not use silicone spray to isolate a squeak or rattle. If you saturate the area with silicone, you will
not be able to recheck the repair.

CENTER CONSOLE

Components to pay attention to include:

Shifter assembly cover to finisher

A/C control unit and cluster lid C

Wiring harnesses behind audio and A/C control unit

The instrument panel repair and isolation procedures also apply to the center console.

DOORS

Pay attention to the:
1.

Finisher and inner panel making a slapping noise

Inside handle escutcheon to door finisher

Wiring harnesses tapping

Door striker out of alignment causing a popping noise on starts and stops

Tapping or moving the components or pressing on them while driving to duplicate the conditions can isolate
many of these incidents. You can usually insulate the areas with felt cloth tape or insulator foam blocks to
repair the noise.

TRUNK

Trunk noises are often caused by a loose jack or loose items put into the trunk by the owner.
In addition look for:

Trunk lid dumpers out of adjustment

Trunk lid striker out of adjustment

Trunk lid torsion bars knocking together

A loose license plate or bracket

Most of these incidents can be repaired by adjusting, securing or insulating the item(s) or component(s) caus-
ing the noise.

SUNROOF/HEADLINING

Noises in the sunroof/headlining area can often be traced to one of the following:

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