98 Jimmy. Torque converter?

[F1shBa1t]

Note: New Fluid/Filter changed about 2 weeks ago. Computer has been reset since then. 4X4

Went for a drive yesterday. Got on the interstate. Very soon after reaching the cruising speed of 60-65. A very unhealthy sounding and loud noise began coming from in or around the transmission. The sound is a little hard to describe but I'll give it a shot. It was kind of a grinding metal gear noise. Kind of what I would think it would sound like if you put a vehicle into park at 60 mph. This "Noise" did not effect the speed of the vehicle or make it bog down. When it started I just took my foot off of the gas and coasted over to the emergency lane while lightly applying the brakes. Once I got down to about 10 miles an hour the sound stopped completely. I got out and saw some tranny fluid coming out from near the Torque converter Dust Cover. It dripped for maybe 30 seconds then stopped (vehicle still running). Got back in and drove 2 exits to see if It would do it again and it did. So getting off at this exit once I came almost to a stop the sound stopped. Continued to head toward my house and was going about 50-55 up a medium incline and the sound started again. So I again stopped and the Fluid did the same thing. Leaked for under a minute then stopped. I made it home the rest of the 8 miles with no problem. Only other time I noticed Fluid leaking was. Once I drove a little to far down the driveway and went over the edge of it so i put it in reverse and had to give it a lot of gas to come back up over the edge. Keep in mind that this edge is only about maybe 1 inch high and its a slight downgrade. Once I got out I noticed Fluid leaking.

I am fairly experienced with the 4L60-E. My S-10 has the same tranny in which I rebuilt myself about 7 months/15,000 ago. Reverse went out then shortly after it would not shift on its own.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[F1shBa1t]

Thought I would give some more info.

I'm not so sure any more that it's the Torque Converter. When reaching cruising speed and this whining/grinding noise starts if I hit the 4HI Button the sound stops. I then immediately hit the 2HI Button so that I'm not cruising in 4 Wheel Drive. The sound stays gone for a little bit then starts back up again eventually. I'm now thinking maybe something in the Front Differential or Transfer Case is the Cause. Maybe even one or the other just needs Fluid but I don't know how to check or even add fluid to them.


This Issue is driving me crazy because I have never not been able to figure out a mechanical problem before