1998 Intrigue, Transmission question

[Joseph315]

On Monday (10-3) I took my car to the tranmission shop to have it checked. Just the day before that I noticed it was shifting slightly harder than normal and once it reached 3rd gear I heard a whining noise and I ASSUMED it was coming from the transmission....and probably is. The transmission shop performed a diagnostic test on it and told me that it showed no codes and the pan showed no metal chips or flakes, or if it did it wasn't enough to concern them other than what is normally to be expected, so all that needed to be done was just a normal servicing. We did that and it ran great until Friday morning and it's started the same thing again maybe the whining MAY be a little quieter but still there. I'm bringing it back in Monday, but does has anyone experienced the same thing or have any ideas on what it could be??

The car has 145,000 miles and most of those miles are highway miles because I travel alot for my job, it's been a WONDERFUL car and I really would hate to think it's on it's last leg, but realistically I know with that many miles it's bound to happen sooner or later....I'm just really not ready to let go!

Thanks in advance for any comments/ideas you may think it could be.

[panzer dragoon]

go in your owner's manual and look for the process of checking for the correct amount of transmission fluid (height on dipstick).

I think your's may be running too low. Use the process in the owner's manual and don't trust anybody else.

[Joseph315]

Thanks Panzer, and I will definately do that.

BUT, there has been a new development. This morning I took it down to the corner store and its actually shifting a little lighter but it still has the whining noise but what's new is when I turn to the left or right (it seems to happen more when you turn to the left, but I could be wrong) it makes a whining noise but a little differently from the whining that comes from just when I'm crusin.

Also, I was reading on transmissions last night and one statement that was made was "when the ignition key is cycled, the computer is reset and will control the transmission normally until an error is registered. Then the transmission will be placed in "limp" mode (2nd gear) again.

I had taken the car to the transmission shop on Monday had it serviced, everything ran fine and then on Wednesday we replaced the ignition switch, which didn't work but because it wasn't programmed for that car, so we had to go to the dealership and the dealership told us our key was wore out that we needed a replacement we went back in the next day that key didn't work, so we installed our old ignition swtich so and the dealership replaced the cylinder and chip and then reprogrammed the car. Could that be a problem even with the new development of it making a noise when we turn??

Thanks!!

[Jimmy Olsen]

There is a transmission fluid product out there called LubeGard that i recommend. Definitely worth the $10 to try it.

Have you checked the transmission fluid level yet?

[panzer dragoon]

A/T - 4T65E, MIL ON/Whine Noise In PARK/NEUTRAL
File In Section: 07 - Transmission/Transaxle
Bulletin No.: 00-07-30-007A
Date: February, 2002
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Whine Noise In Park Or Neutral, Service Engine Soon or Service Vehicle Soon Lamp Illuminates (Replace Drive Sprocket Support Bearing)
Models:
1999-2000 Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue/Ultra, Regal, Riviera
1999-2000 Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo, Venture
2000 Chevrolet Impala
1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
1999-2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue, Silhouette
1999-2000 Pontiac Bonneville, Grand Prix, Montana
with 3.4L, 3.5L or 3.8L Engine (VINs E, H, K, 1-- RPOs LA1, LX5, L36, L67)
and Hydra-Matic 4T65-E Transaxle/Transmission (RPOs MN3, MN7, M15)
This bulletin is being revised to add the Chevrolet Impala to the models affected. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 00-07-30-007 (Section 07 - Transmission/Transaxle).



Condition
Some owners of the listed models equipped with a Hydra-Matic 4T65-E transaxle with a Julian Date prior to 0045 may comment on a whine noise in PARK and/or NEUTRAL or a Service Engine Soon or Service Vehicle Soon lamp that is illuminated. Upon investigation, a DTC P0741 or P0742 may be found.
Cause
The above condition may be due to drive sprocket support bearing fluting and/or bearing failure.
Correction
Replace the drive sprocket support bearing. Inspect the channel plate and drive sprocket for any abnormal wear, Turbine shaft for cut seals and/or nicks, and chain for excessive play due to failed bearings.
Important : When installing the new bearing, the part number MUST be visible (facing upward). Before installing the drive sprocket, lubricate the bearing assembly with J 36850 assembly lubricant.
Refer to the 4T65-E Unit Repair Section for the installation procedure.



If the whine is a bearing, trying lubeguard or going to a synthetic transmission fluid may help. But you wonder how long it will last before you have a failure. I'm guessing a bearing associated with 3rd gear?

See if the whine is only in third gear when moving or at a standstill (go thru the gears while in park and see if the whine is present in 3rd gear with the car at a standstill). Make sure the whine isn't associated with tire speed or engine speed either. This whine could easily not be your transmission.

[kmohr3]

I think the 98 Intrigue has the 4T60 transmission.

[Joseph315]

Yes, I did check the tranmission fluid and it was a quart low, so I added a quart and it did make a definiate difference but as I continued to drive around it did start to get a LITTLE louder but definatley not like it was.

I really don't think that the noise whining is from tires but I'm not real sure it's the transmission either but I'm assuming again that it probably is since I added the quart of fluid that it did make a difference. But I am going to have it checked out again and I will try the additive that was suggested.

The whining is constant it starts in first and continues as I'm driving.

[phewop118]

It sounds like it's your power steering - check the fluid on it. Also, try opening your hood and listening as someone turns the wheel.

[Joseph315]

Ok, here's what the final outcome was!

I did have to end up replacing the transmission. I took it back to where I originally had the transmission serviced and they told me that it needed replacing that and they would have to "get into it and check it out" and it would be a minimum of 1,600 if I had to have the transmission replaced. I ended up taking it to someone that came very highly recommended and they looked at it and said that it did need to be replaced and when they did get into it they found sensors were out, bands were bad, etc, etc, etc. and that it would all need to be replaced at the sweet price of 2,300. Well considering it already had 155,000 miles on it even if it didn't actually need to be replaced it probably soon would so go ahead and replace it all. It runs great now and I'm happy with their work.......but not being a great mechanic obviously I just wonder how shops can be so durastically different on diagnosing problems such as this. TO ME, and remember I don't know much, I don't see how the first transmission shop could have missed all those problems which were almost pretty obvious to the second place I took it to......but no one will ever know. Will they? Drives ya crazy! Thanks for all your help and suggestions.