Noise
| IMPORTANT | Do not confuse this noise with pump whine noise, which is usually noticeable in PARK, NEUTRAL and all other gear ranges. Pump whine will vary with line pressure. |
You may notice a torque converter whine when the vehicle is stopped and the transmission is in DRIVE or REVERSE. This noise will increase as you increase the engine RPM. The noise will stop when the vehicle is moving or when you apply the torque converter clutch, because both halves of the converter are turning at the same speed.
Perform a stall test to make sure the noise is actually coming from the converter
- Place your foot on the brake.
- Put the gear selector in DRIVE.
- Depress the accelerator to obtain approximately 1,200 RPM for no more than 6 seconds.
A torque converter noise will increase under this load.
Isolating Vibration
Note. Some engine/transaxle combinations cannot be balanced in this manner due to restricted access or limited clearances between the torque converter bolts and the engine. Ensure that the bolts do not bottom out in the lug nuts or the torque converter cover could be dented and cause internal damage.
To isolate and correct a flywheel or torque converter vibration, separate the torque converter from the flywheel to determine if vibration is in the engine or transmission.
- With the engine at idle speed and the transmission in PARK or NEUTRAL, observe the vibration.
- Turn the engine OFF.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to «Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle»(ref-188813-S15240900572005090200000) in General Information.
- Remove the transmission converter cover bolts and the cover. Refer to «Transmission Replacement»(ref-188804-S03198339012005090200000) .
- Mark the relationship of the converter to the flywheel.
- Remove the bolts attaching the converter to the flywheel. Refer to «Transmission Replacement»(ref-188804-S03198339012005090200000) .
- Slide the torque converter away from the flywheel.
- Rotate the flywheel and torque converter to inspect for defects or missing balance weights. Refer to Engine Flywheel Cleaning and Inspection in Engine Mechanical - 2.2L (L61).
- Lower the vehicle.
- With the engine at idle speed and the transmission in PARK or NEUTRAL, observe the vibration. Refer to Diagnostic Starting Point - Vibration Diagnosis and Correction in Vibration Diagnosis and Correction.
- Turn the engine OFF.
Noise and Vibration Analysis
A noise or vibration that is noticeable when the vehicle is in motion MAY NOT be the result of the transmission.
If noise or vibration is noticeable in PARK and NEUTRAL with the engine at idle, but is less noticeable as RPM increases, the cause may be from poor engine performance.
- Inspect the tire for the following: Uneven wear Imbalance Mixed sizes Mixed radial and bias ply
- Inspect the suspension components for the following: Alignment and wear Loose fasteners
- Inspect the engine and transmission mounts for damage and loose bolts.
- Inspect the transmission case mounting holes for the following: Missing bolts, nuts, and studs Stripped threads Cracks
- Inspect the flywheel for the following: Missing or loose bolts Cracks Imbalance
- Inspect the torque converter for the following: Missing or loose bolts or lugs Missing or loose balance weights Imbalance
Final Drive Noise or Hum Noise
| Checks | Action |
|---|---|
| Front differential carrier assembly (32) | Inspect for damage or the gears are out of position. Replace the front differential carrier assembly (32). Refer to Front Differential Carrier Removal . |
| Front differential carrier thrust washer (604) | Inspect for worn, melted or extruding washer. Replace the front differential carrier thrust washer (604). Refer to Front Differential Carrier Disassemble . |
| Pinion gear and/or transfer gear teeth on the front differential drive pinion gear assembly (9) | Inspect for broken or damaged teeth. Replace the front differential drive pinion gear assembly (9). Refer to Front Differential Transfer Gear Installation . |
| Sun gear (505) | Inspect for worn or broken teeth. Replace the sun gear (505). Refer to Forward Clutch Assembly Disassemble . |
Final Drive Noise or Hum Noise
Whine/Growl Noise That Changes with Vehicle Speed
| Checks | Action |
|---|---|
| Bearing assemblies (600) on the front differential carrier assembly (601) | Inspect for worn or damaged bearings. Replace the bearing assemblies (600). Refer to Front Differential Carrier Bearing and Cup Replacement . |
| Drive sprocket (30) | Inspect for worn or broken teeth - causing loss of hydraulic power from drive link failure. Replace the drive sprocket (30). Refer to Drive Sprocket, Driven Sprocket, and Drive Link Removal . |
| Driven sprocket (17) | Inspect for worn or broken teeth - causing loss of hydraulic power from drive link failure. Replace the driven sprocket (17). Refer to Drive Sprocket, Driven Sprocket, and Drive Link Removal . |
| Drive link assembly (15) | Inspect for stretched, worn or damaged chain links. Replace the drive link assembly (15). Refer to Drive Sprocket, Driven Sprocket, and Drive Link Removal . |
| Bearing assemblies (700) on the front differential drive pinion gear and transfer gear assembly (701) | Inspect for worn or damaged bearings. Replace the bearing assemblies (700). Refer to Front Differential Transfer Gear Bearing and Cup Replacement . |
Whine/Growl Noise That Changes with Vehicle Speed
Reattaching Noise
| Checks | Action |
|---|---|
| Variable drive pulley assembly (500) | IMPORTANT: The variable drive pulley assembly (500), variable driven pulley assembly (106) and variable drive belt assembly (107) are usually replaced as a set if one or more of these components are damaged. Inspect each component as necessary. Inspect for worn splines - causing excessive backlash. Replace the variable drive pulley assembly (500). Refer to Variable Driven Pulley Bearing Replacement . |
| IMPORTANT |
|---|
| The variable drive pulley assembly (500), variable driven pulley assembly (106) and variable drive belt assembly (107) are usually replaced as a set if one or more of these components are damaged. Inspect each component as necessary. |
Reattaching Noise
Gravel or Grating Noise
| Checks | Action |
|---|---|
| Fluid filter assembly (26) | Inspect for looseness or improper sealing. Replace the fluid filter assembly (26). Refer to Fluid Filter Removal . |
Gravel or Grating Noise
Moaning Noise
| Checks | Action |
|---|---|
| Stator shaft assembly (81) | Inspect for damaged splines. Replace the transmission case assembly (50). Refer to Transmission Case Inspection . |
Moaning Noise
Transmission Clunk on Acceleration or Deceleration
| Checks | Action |
|---|---|
| Lug bolts for the torque converter (1) | Inspect for loose torque converter (1) lug bolts. Tighten the lug bolts. |
Transmission Clunk on Acceleration or Deceleration
Rattle Noise
| Checks | Action |
|---|---|
| Bolts (19, 20) securing the transmission fluid pump assembly (23) to the case | Inspect for loose or stripped bolts securing the transmission fluid pump assembly to the case. Tighten or replace the bolts (19, 20). |
Rattle Noise
Vibration
| Checks | Action |
|---|---|
| Lug bolts for the torque converter (1) | Inspect for loose torque converter (1) lug bolts. Tighten the lug bolts. |
| Bolts (19, 20) securing the transmission fluid pump assembly (23) to the case | Inspect for loose or stripped bolts securing the transmission fluid pump assembly to the case. Tighten or replace the bolts (19, 20). Refer to Fluid Pump Installation . |
| Line 1 pressure regulator valve (316) | Inspect for worn, sticking or binding valve. Replace the line 1 pressure regulator valve (316). Refer to Control Valve Body Assembly Disassemble . |
| Line 1 pressure regulator valve spring (315) | Inspect for worn, sticking or damaged spring. Replace the line 1 pressure regulator valve spring (315). Refer to Control Valve Body Assembly Disassemble . |
| Line 2 pressure regulator valve (212) | Inspect for worn, sticking or binding valve. Replace the line 2 pressure regulator valve (212). Refer to Control Valve Body Assembly Disassemble . |
| Line 2 pressure regulator valve spring (211) | Inspect for worn, sticking or damaged spring. Replace the line 2 pressure regulator valve spring (211). Refer to Control Valve Body Assembly Disassemble . |
| Control valve body (305) | Inspect for porosity, damage or contamination with debris. Replace or flush the control valve body (305). Refer to Control Valve Body Replacement . |
Vibration