Transmission whine

[farmer11]

There is a distinct high pitched whine when started the 98 Caraven. Seems to go away after thing warm up. Would a transmission fluid change help any.
About 60 thousand since the last trany work.

[RIP]

Sure wouldn't hurt. It's overdue at 60K. Make sure you use ATF4. While you're at it change the power steering fluid too. The PS is infamous for creating a whine.

[GTP Dad]

I have to agree with RIP. You may have a partially blocked filter. Make sure you only use ATF+4 otherwise you may damage the transmission.

[bombergp]

I also have the whine going on my 3sp '94 3L. It sounds like an object touching/rubbing a spinning component, does it even in park bliping the gas.

[GTP Dad]

Bombergp, it sounds like you may have a problem with the front pump in your transmission. This sound is different from a whine and if it does it in park then you may want to get it checked out. If it is the pump a tranny rebuild or replacement is the only recourse to fix it.

[RIP]

A heads up on cost. I had a leaking fwd pump seal. Cost $700 to replace only the seal. 96GC

[bombergp]

Thanks GTP DAD/RIP. Strange happenings with this trans, last week it suddenly wouldn't shift out of 1st for 5mi./15 min driving then work ok with whine noise. 3 days later I'm about to go to trans shop & while warming it up it drives off no problem or noise,- eh, actually on start up in park it made like gravel rolling in can sound briefly. I was going to try another fluid/filt change, you think it won't help?

[RIP]

bombergp - At worse you'll waste 20-30 bucks if you DIY. If I had a possible grand plus bill in my future I would try anything in reason to avoid it. A fluid/filter change is well within reason. It's the first move anyone should make before you resign yourself to....that unmentionable shop.

[bombergp]

Changed atf3 fluid/filt yet again tonight, on test drive it started out quiet, pulling away w/full torque, took it easy, gentle speeds, no fan/music on etc,.. I'm driving on suburban side steets, for 10min./5mi., then while pulling away from stop the whine comes back and can't shift to 2nd, it slows won't pull 1st gear! coast to stop, move shift lever D-N-R-N-D no jerk engagement! More P-R-N-D-N-R-N-D and nothin! I shut it off & wait 5min., restart and it goes but only 1 1/2 blocks! I stoped & waited 2 more times to get it home! Maybe cause I didn't change fluid/filt soon enough its just filled with crud? I put in a second magnet, rare earth type, got plenty of fuzz, no chips. Got to find another filter and change again, I'll let ya know what happens.

[GTP Dad]

Unfortunately, this sounds terminal. There may be a possibility that the trans computer has gone but I don't think that is the case. You are probably
looking at a tranny replacement or rebuild.