Hello all,

I've just purchased a used '03 Protege DX (8k miles, one previous owner who had it on lease) and I'm very glad I did ... I think it'll be a good, solid (if simple) car that I can keep for several years to come without major issues, unlike the '01 Jetta I almost purchased before I found the Protege offer.

My only problem is that I'm hearing excessive wind noise(significantly louder than my '96 Protege, and the '91 before that as well) from what sounds like the bottom edge, and particularly the bottom two corners near the hood, of my front windshield. It's pretty noticeable by 35mph, and downright annoying by 65mph. Sounds almost like when you're driving on an extremely gusty day.

Has anyone else experienced this? I know these cars aren't the most soundproofed on Earth, and I expected the usual road and maybe engine noise, but this seems like more than is necessary ... especially when the previous two were silent in this regard.

If I've got a unique case, can anyone recommend any remedies? Caulking the molding? Replacing the molding? Could the sound be caused in the hood rather than against the windshield?

Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated. I'm looking forward to learning more about the car here (never knew such an exclusive forum existed until now!). Thanks and take care,

Mark

 

I think there is a TSB on this, I'm not sure if it includes '03 or not, but it is worth a shot. Take it to the dealer service department, and then mention the TSB..has to do with the molding if I remember correctly

 

I have similar noise with my 03 ES GT except it's coming from the upper area. Can't really pinpont whether it's coming from the windshield or the sunroof. Dealer had followed the TSB and replaced the windshield molding, didn't help, checked the sunroof alignment and molding, everything looked fine, installed a sunroof wind deflector, the noise is still there. I'm slowly getting used to it but it still drives me nut. I read somewhere that the noise might be coming from the windshield wiper arms or blades. I haven't got a chance to try this yet but I'm going to remove the wipers and see if the noise goes away.

 

I don't have that type of noise so feel lucky in that regard. I do have a buzzing vibration in dash whenver I accelerate from a dead stop. Dealer replaced catalytic convertor, claiming it was source of noise, but it changed nothing. Seems minor now, in light of your noise issue, but I sure would like to figure out the source of it. I'm afraid to take dash apart!

 

I did have that noise with my '01 Protege. I took it back to the dealership, and they added molding around my windshield. Pretty easy fix, if that's all it is in your case, too.