New Problem with 2005 T&C Touring

I have been driving for about an hour at speeds between 70 & 80 mph. I start to hear a whining sound. I start slowing down to get off at nearest exit. I step on the gas a little and the sound gets louder. I am thinking maybe transmission? Altenator? Water Pump? Power steering? I pull over and turn off the engine. Look under hood, nothing is leaking.

I sit there for about 15 minutes with engine off. Start engine and proceed towards home. No noise any more. Haven't had the noise again, but haven't done any high speed driving either.

I realize this isn't much to go on. But would appreciate any ideas as to what may have caused the sound.

We have had a trip planned to Wis. for our granddaughters 6th B-Day next week. I am concerned as to whether to try going in the van. And hate to take it to the dealer if it is something I may be able to fix. Thanks again Ives

Unless you can duplicate it in your driveway it's tough to nail down. If you can then take a short piece of garden hose cupped to your ear and carefully direct the other end to the noise to pinpoint it. Would it make any difference if you shifted to neutral? Since you're assuming alternator, power steering etc, you're saying the noise is from up front correct?

To help us out next time when you create a subject include the problem. People searching for noise issues will have no idea your's is a noise problem based on "New Problem With 2005 T&C Touring".

OBTW - I was born and raised in Michigan City

Sometimes, transmissions with a partially-blocked transmission filter can whine.

Have you ever done a transmission service?

Given your van's age, it's due for one anyways. You or your mechanic would remove the transmission pan, allow the fluid to drain and replace the filter. Then clean out the pan, make sure the magnet is still in place on the pan and reinstall.

Do not do a transmission flush, (or at least don't flush without doing the above work first. )

Some mechanics like to sell a flush on it's own, and claim its just as good, but it simply is not nearly as effective as the above procedure.

They sell flushes because they are faster and more profitable than actually dropping the pan.

This work may fix the whining problem. But, even if it doesn't, it's still an important piece of maintenance and should be done anyways.

Is the whining a electrical sort of noise, if so and you have a volt or multimeter, start her up, turn on AC and take a voltage reading off of the battery, if the alternator is good you should see a minimum of 13.5 VDC. I just did an alternator change on my '98 Neon and she would whine at me if the AC was on or I was driving at night and had headlights and other accessories on.

Guys Thanks again, this site is awsome. I still have time before we are suppose to leave for Wis. I intend to take the van on about a 40 mile trip around here. To see if I can get it to make the noise again.

I will do that Trans service before we leave, can't hurt to have it done and might be the problem. I am willing to try any type of repair myself if I can, before having to take it in to the dealer.

Hey RIP, when was the last time you were back to Michigan City? Boy, it has changed a lot in the last 10 years or so. My brother-in-law bought a little one bedroom house about 10 years ago. Over by Washington Park. He is up on a hill faceing Lake Michigan. You can barly see the Lake from his house. Anyway like I said a small one bedroom, small yard. He bought it as a get away, he lives in Chicago. Paid $35,000 10 t0 14 years ago. was thinking of selling it this past summer. Appraised at $250,000.00. It's the land it is sitting on, they are bull dozing those little places and building big summer homes. Take Care Ives

Use the ATF+4 fluid only in the transmission and most parts stores sell it

Hey RIP, when was the last time you were back to Michigan City? Boy, it has changed a lot in the last 10 years or so. My brother-in-law bought a little one bedroom house about 10 years ago. Over by Washington Park. He is up on a hill faceing Lake Michigan. You can barly see the Lake from his house. Anyway like I said a small one bedroom, small yard. He bought it as a get away, he lives in Chicago. Paid $35,000 10 t0 14 years ago. was thinking of selling it this past summer. Appraised at $250,000.00. It's the land it is sitting on, they are bull dozing those little places and building big summer homes. Take Care Ives


Was there a few months ago visiting my sister in Shoreland Hills just up the coast. Probably 5-6 times in the last 30+ years. The biggest change - the Bluechip Casino. It's just too bad they had to scrape the bottom of the barrel to bring jobs in. Except for relatives there's little to draw me back. The Southern California deserts have spouled me. Sounds like your B-I-L has it made. I think half of Chicago lives in MC during the summer. Hope you get the wonder wagon running smooth soon.