2002 4Runner transmission whine noise - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

poundkey · 03-19-2011, 02:27 PM

O.K. I've done all sorts of searching on this and come up with two forum threads that describe my 4Runner's symptoms exactly: one guy was told that his transmission pump was going bad, so he traded his 4Runner in to get a different car; the other guy was told that his transmission needed to be replaced, so he replaced it (at high cost).

I'm hoping somebody else has had this happen and can tell me the resolution without letting a mechanic have his way with me!

The model: 2002 4Runner SR5 4WD, automatictransmission

Miles: 218,000

The symptoms: I'm hearing a whine when I put my transmission in Drive or Reverse. The whine sounds like gears -- kinda like when you hear someone backing up really fast. If my car is parked, there is no noise until I shift into Drive or Reverse. There is no noise in Park or Neutral. When I start driving, the whine increases in frequency with engine RPM, but the whine stops if I shift into Neutral or let my foot off the accelerator pedal. I notice it in first and second gears. It's too quiet of a noise to hear if I'm going fast enough to be in higher gears.

I've done some close listening, and the whine is definitely not coming from the engine compartment. I hear it most clearly under the car (where the transmission is!).

The whine seems to be more noticeable when the car has not been driven for several hours.

I've done a complete transmission fluid flush twice over the life of the vehicle, and the fluid has always looked and smelled good. I use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. The current ATF level has been checked, and it's good.

Before I shell out a whole mess of dough to replace an entire transmission (since that's what the mechanics will likely want to do), has anyone experienced this before and resolved it by replacing a transmission pump? Is there even a transmission pump? My Hayne's manual doesn't mention a transmission pump anywhere.

Thanks for the help!!!

***humanoid*** · 03-19-2011, 05:58 PM

Maybe try a complete flush with the Toyota branded fluid and see if that solves it or at least reduces it. Does it use the T-IV type fluid?

jetwhine · 03-19-2011, 11:41 PM

poundkey,

Have you been using the Mobil syn. from day one or is it something you started to use recently?

poundkey · 03-20-2011, 02:33 AM

jetwhine, I got this 4Runner used with 30,000 miles. At that point, I did a complete transmission flush and put the Mobil 1 synthetic ATF in it. I did another complete flush around 130,000 miles. At about 200,000 miles, I did a few drain-and-fills to replace 5 quarts. Each time it's been Mobil 1 synthetic, and each time the old fluid looks bright red with no debris....so it makes me wonder if I change the fluid too often!

I drove a few miles today and noticed that I can hear the whine in all the gears. It seems to be getting louder, so I'd better do something soon!

jetwhine · 03-20-2011, 11:22 PM

poundkey,

Sounds too me that at least you have been doing the maint. on it so as far as I'm concerned the Mobil is not the problem. Sounds like you might have a bearing going out in your tranny. And that is just a guess.

hugesack · 03-25-2011, 11:41 PM

is it louder in reverse than drive? yes there is a trans pump and it sounds like that may be your problem. and you dont want to pay just to replace it. a full rebuild or replacement trans is the only smart option. think if your pump broke apart and sent debris into the rest of the trans. replacing the pump would only fix the noise, only leaving you pay for more repairs.