"whistle" on 2002 Ford Taurus

[laginog]

A family member has a 2002 Ford Taurus wagon that we're planning a long trip in soon. For some reason, when you go a certain direction (SW, I believe, because of the compass), something makes a very high pitched whistle sound. She had it looked at once but they couldn't find anything wrong. It's happened ever since she bought it brand new. Someone mentioned that it might be her luggage rack but she doesn't want to take it off to try it. I'm not too enthused about a 22 hour drive with that whistle sound. Anybody have any ideas?? Thanks!!

[don bourcier]

I have owned a Ford Taurus 2002 SEL wagon since May 2003. For the first time, on a trip last week to South Carolina from Massachusetts on Rt 95, a mysterious high pitch whistling sound occurred intermittently at speeds of 70 to 75 mph. When I lowered the speed to 60-65, I no longer heard it. My suspicion is that it emanates from the roof rack spacings where it attaches to the roof although I have not yet proven it. Fearing that the noise was indicative of a serious problem under the hood, I insisted that the pulley on the serpentine belt be replaced even though there's only 35k miles on the wagon; turns out this was not the cause since I've since heard the noise again. Anyone else have problems? I've got to believe that others have!! Thx beforehand for your replies & hope that this post helps. Don.

[medicTA]

Obviously you have tried lowering all the windows one at a time to see if it's possibly a bad window seal or a door seal?
I know on my wagon I can reposition the rear roof rack, maybe try that and see if it helps.
Also I know certain stationwagons (Buick I believe) have a whistle problem from their roofracks and what made me think of it was that I have seen a car in my town that has a round foam tube cut to length under the front rack and they attached it with large plastic ties. (I looked at it in a parking lot and tried to figure out the reasoning.
It looks like one of those pool noodles, that come in different colors stuffed then tied under the front rack.
Unorthodox but it would work if that was the source!

[jc glass]

roof racks are notiorious for whistle noise..Take It Off if you wish to prove the point.This is not related to direction but to wind speed over the surface of the body- J.C.