Mirrors (Coupe): Other Nissan Altima L33

CUSTOMER INTERVIEW

Interview the customer if possible, to determine the conditions that exist when the noise occurs. Use the Diagnostic Worksheet during the interview to document the facts and conditions when the noise occurs and any customer's comments; refer to " DIAGNOSTIC WORKSHEET ". This information is necessary to duplicate the conditions that exist when the noise occurs.

1. 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).
2. 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 test driving the vehicle with the customer.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Creak-(Like walking on an old wooden floor) Creak characteristics include firm contact/slow movement/twisting with a rotational movement/pitch dependent on materials/often brought on by activity.
6. 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.
7. Knock-(Like a knock on a door) Knock characteristics include hollow sounding/sometimes repeating/often brought on by driver action.
8. 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.
9. Thump-(Heavy, muffled knock noise) Thump characteristics include softer knock/dead sound often brought on by activity.
10. Buzz-(Like a bumble bee) Buzz characteristics include high frequency rattle/firm contact.
11. 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.
12. Weather conditions, especially humidity and temperature, may have a great effect on noise level.

CHECK RELATED SERVICE BULLETINS

After verifying the customer concern or symptom, check ASSIST for Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) related to that concern or symptom.

If a TSB relates to the symptom, follow the procedure to repair the noise.

REPAIR THE CAUSE

1. If the cause is a loose component, tighten the component securely.
2. 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. A NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-50397) is available through your authorized NISSAN Parts Department.

Note. Always check with the Parts Department for the latest parts information. The materials contained in the NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-50397) are listed on the inside cover of the kit; and can each be ordered separately as needed. The following materials not found in the kit can also be used to repair squeaks and rattles. SILICONE GREASE: Use instead of UHMW tape that will be visible or does not fit. The silicone grease will only last a few months. SILICONE SPRAY: Use when grease cannot be applied. 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 Diagnostic Worksheet notes on the Diagnostic Worksheet.

INSTRUMENT PANEL

Most incidents are caused by contact and movement between

1. Cluster lid A and the instrument panel
2. Acrylic lens and combination meter housing
3. Instrument panel to front pillar finisher
4. Instrument panel to windshield
5. Instrument panel pins
6. Wiring harnesses behind the combination meter
7. 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 applying felt cloth tape or silicone spray (in hard to reach areas). Urethane pads can be used to insulate wiring harness.

CENTER CONSOLE

Components to pay attention to include

1. Shift selector assembly cover to finisher
2. A/C control unit and cluster lid C
3. 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
2. Inside handle escutcheon to door finisher
3. Wiring harnesses tapping
4. 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 from the NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-50397) 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

1. Trunk lid bumpers out of adjustment
2. Trunk lid striker out of adjustment
3. The trunk lid torsion bars knocking together
4. A loose license plate or bracket

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

SUNROOF/HEADLINING

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

1. Sunroof lid, rail, linkage or seals making a rattle or light knocking noise
2. Sun visor shaft shaking in the holder
3. Front or rear windshield touching headliner and squeaking

Again, pressing on the components to stop the noise while duplicating the conditions can isolate most of these incidents. Repairs usually consist of insulating with felt cloth tape.

OVERHEAD CONSOLE (FRONT AND REAR)

Overhead console noises are often caused by the console panel clips not being engaged correctly. Most of these incidents are repaired by pushing up on the console at the clip locations until the clips engage.

In addition look for

1. Loose harness or harness connectors.
2. Front console map/reading lamp lens loose.
3. Loose screws at console attachment points.

SEATS

When isolating seat noise it's important to note the position the seat is in and the load placed on the seat when the noise is present. These conditions should be duplicated when verifying and isolating the cause of the noise.

Cause of seat noise include

1. Headrest rods and holder
2. A squeak between the seat pad cushion and frame
3. The rear seatback lock and bracket

These noises can be isolated by moving or pressing on the suspected components while duplicating the conditions under which the noise occurs. Most of these incidents can be repaired by repositioning the component or applying urethane tape to the contact area.

UNDERHOOD

Some interior noise may be caused by components under the hood or on the engine wall. The noise is then transmitted into the passenger compartment.

Causes of transmitted underhood noise include

1. Any component installed to the engine wall
2. Components that pass through the engine wall
3. Engine wall mounts and connectors
4. Loose radiator installation pins
5. Hood bumpers out of adjustment
6. Hood striker out of adjustment

These noises can be difficult to isolate since they cannot be reached from the interior of the vehicle. The best method is to secure, move or insulate one component at a time and test drive the vehicle. Also, engine RPM or load can be changed to isolate the noise. Repairs can usually be made by moving, adjusting, securing, or insulating the component causing the noise.

Scheme 38

Scheme 39

Precaution for Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) "AIR BAG" and "SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER"

The Supplemental Restraint System such as "AIR BAG" and "SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER", used along with a front seat belt, helps to reduce the risk or severity of injury to the driver and front passenger for certain types of collision. This system includes seat belt switch inputs and dual stage front air bag modules. The SRS system uses the seat belt switches to determine the front air bag deployment, and may only deploy one front air bag, depending on the severity of a collision and whether the front occupants are buckle or unbuckle.

Information necessary to service the system safely is included in the SR and SB article of this Service Information.

PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING POWER TOOLS (AIR OR ELECTRIC) AND HAMMERS

Precaution for Work

1. When removing or disassembling each component, be careful not to damage or deform it. If a component may be subject to interference, be sure to protect it with a shop cloth.
2. When removing (disengaging) components with a screwdriver or similar tool, be sure to wrap the component with a shop cloth or vinyl tape to protect it.
3. Protect the removed parts with a shop cloth and prevent them from being dropped.
4. Replace a deformed or damaged clip.
5. If a part is specified as a non-reusable part, always replace it with new one.
6. Be sure to tighten bolts and nuts securely to the specified torque.
7. After installation is complete, be sure to check that each part works properly.
8. Follow the steps below to clean components. Water soluble dirt: Dip a soft cloth into lukewarm water, and wring the water out of the cloth to wipe the dirty area. Then rub with a soft and dry cloth. Oily dirt: Dip a soft cloth into lukewarm water with mild detergent (concentration: within 2 to 3%), and wipe the dirty area. Then dip a cloth into fresh water, and wring the water out of the cloth to wipe the detergent off. Then rub with a soft and dry cloth.
9. Do not use organic solvent such as thinner, benzene, alcohol, or gasoline.
10. For genuine leather seats, use a genuine leather seat cleaner.

Special Service Tools

The actual shapes of the tools may differ from those illustrated here.

Tool number (TechMate No.) Tool name Description - (J-39570) Chassis Ear Locating the noise - (J-46534) Trim Tool Set Removing trim components - (J-50397) NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit Repairing the cause of noise

Scheme 40

Scheme 41

Scheme 42

Commercial Service Tools

Tool name Description Engine Ear Locating the noise Suction lifter Holding the door glass

Scheme 43

Scheme 44

Scheme 45

Scheme 46

1. Remove inside mirror finisher (if equipped).
2. Remove screw of mirror base.
3. Slide the mirror upward to remove.
4. Disconnect the connector (if equipped).