Help with weird whining/ghost sound in first gear

[lbachatu809]

Hello, I just purchased a 03 camry LE w/ 151,000K, i have noticed that when i start driving it makes this weird whinning noise, like a ghost maybe, or a remote control toy car engine just weird, then it stops when the speed increases and switches gear. Also when i have to come to a stop sign and it comes to low speeds it does the same noise and it stops. I let it roll on from high speed to low speed in neutral and no noise. I accelerate fast and get same noise, then it stops after 1st gear. Other than that it switches gears smoothly, fast hardly any delay, it does not jerk, or make any other noises. Also a weird clunk in the rear but is only on the driver side, I was told to replace the rear links which I did and still the clunk is there. Any ideas of what might be causing the problem?

Has anyone experienced such noise? Maybe is normal? Any help is appreciated.

[Yuko]

I know what you're talking about. Got a 02' Camry and it does that electric motor noise on certain condition. Never really bothered me, never knew what it was. After 168K miles, still drive the same. For a while I thought it was the variable valve system; maybe not.

[aznbigbearjohn]

if its a v6 mines does that i believe 1st and reverse use same gears

[lbachatu809]

Originally Posted by Yuko

I know what you're talking about. Got a 02' Camry and it does that electric motor noise on certain condition. Never really bothered me, never knew what it was. After 168K miles, still drive the same. For a while I thought it was the variable valve system; maybe not.

Ahh ok, i just wanted to make sure it was not something wrong. This is my first car so i dont know much and i have driven camrys before and never herd such a noise. Also theres a weird clunk clunk noise in the rear left side everytime i go over a bad portion of road, a mechanic told me it was the link, so i got them replaced and still same noise, do you have any idea what it might be perhaps you have encountered such noise.

[lbachatu809]

Originally Posted by aznbigbearjohn

if its a v6 mines does that i believe 1st and reverse use same gears

Mine is an I4. Same transmission maybe. Dont know much this is my first car.

[fatngs]

if u think the whine in the camry is bad u should hear the whine on a GM truck transmission

[lbachatu809]

Originally Posted by fatngs

if u think the whine in the camry is bad u should hear the whine on a GM truck transmission

I mean is not that is bad, is just that it doesn't sound normal like the rest of the other gears. Also I get a clunk in the rear which I know for a fact is not normalbut I replaced the links and still. Any idea on what it might be? Anything is appreciated.

[Reiser86]

If it's making odd, abnormal noises over rough portions of the street, it could possibly be pointing to worn struts/shocks. I once drove a Camry and both rear wheels were making terrible, irritating noises because the shocks were completely shot and needed to be replaced.

I remember reading on a different forum that the owner of a car complained about experiencing a pervasive whine coming from the transmission. He drained the transmission fluid, replaced what you usually would when you change the transmission fluid regularly, and put instead D4 Redline transmission fluid into it. This may have resolved it, since he reported not hearing that distinct noise from it again. The dealership used a different fluid, which may have been too thin for it.

[lbachatu809]

Originally Posted by Reiser86

If it's making odd, abnormal noises over rough portions of the street, it could possibly be pointing to worn struts/shocks. I once drove a Camry and both rear wheels were making terrible, irritating noises because the shocks were completely shot and needed to be replaced.

I remember reading on a different forum that the owner of a car complained about experiencing a pervasive whine coming from the transmission. He drained the transmission fluid, replaced what you usually would when you change the transmission fluid regularly, and put instead D4 Redline transmission fluid into it. This may have resolved it, since he reported not hearing that distinct noise from it again. The dealership used a different fluid, which may have been too thin for it.

Ahh I c. These struts/shocks were changed in january both rear ones. It only does the noise on one side. I replaced the links and nothing which were no good. They told me the bushings and everything else looks good. It just sounds like if somenthing is lose on that side and moves every time I go over bad road like clunk clunk.

[lbachatu809]

Problem solved, replaced strut mount and control arms.