Automatic transmission whine

I've used my 99 V6 4x4 automatic Tacoma as a daily driver for the last 15 years. Lately I've noticed more and more noise from the transmission, especially at stoplights. Truck has 156k miles. Transmission was completely rebuilt in 2015 and only has 20k miles on it. Unfortunately the 12 month warranty has expired. Truck runs and drives fine, just kind of whines when in gear. Makes no noise at all in neutral or with t-case in neutral and transmission is in gear. Only makes the whining sound during normal driving whether going forward or reverse. I did a drain and fill last week with new ATF but it made no difference. Just worried that I'm looking at another expensive rebuild. Not very familiar with the inner workings of automatics, any thoughts on what could me making the noises? Could a clogged transmission cooler line do this? Are there any internal pumps that can fail? Thanks for any advice, gotta keep my taco in good working order.

 

There is one pump that the torque converter opperates and it is not really servicable unless you take the trans out. This is usually a specialst job.

 

For the sake of checking all possibilities, replace the filter and throws some new fluid at it. Could it be the torque converter?

 

Why was tranny replaced at only 156k ? The AT on these trucks easily go double that without a rebuild

 

PROseur is right. I have over 300K on my A340 without a rebuild, with drain and refills every other oil change. I usually don't believe in snake oil, but I did use Lucas ATF treatment for a noise. It actually worked. Good luck.

 

Mine has a higher pitched whine when it shifts into 4th at low RPM. Can't tell if its the transmission or the diff. Ideas?

 

Thanks for the replies. Original transmission was rebuilt at 136k as 1st gear was no longer working. It had always shifted hard too. Rebuild was very expensive but fixed the problems. No issues until this noise started a couple of weeks ago. I'll try some Lucas and see if it helps. If not I'll have a professional diagnose the TC.

 

At around 180k mine did the same darn thing, sounded like a turbo so I bought one of the last trannies left from factory inventory, problem was only my torque converter though. I replaced it with new A340E trans and converter and the whine went away. Keep using castrol dex 4 every 3k on the new trans everything was fine now 230k and I swear the new trans isn't engaging at the correct rpms. I just wish I had a manual again! I think it might be a bad etc switch for me now. What trans fluid is everyone else running the yota stuff? Might need to switch brands and do a drain fill flushing.

 

Becuase your truck only makes noise in gear under load , my first guess would be a torrington bearing within the planetaries . This means a complete transmission tear down . Chances are you could still drive for a long time with the noise.
There is more info at the link below
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...sions-write-up-your-4-speed-automatic.325531/

 

Thank you gearcruncher! Now off to study my auto trans, You Sir have taken me to school. I wish someone with you're knowledge was in my neck of the woods.

 

Mine was the torque converter making that progressive whine, sounds like a Subaru spooling up the turbo with its speed. Mine was loud as a diesel turbo, kinda sounded cool, but scared the poo out of me (to trust driving long distance.) If you don't have AAA be ready for a possible tow. Gadget from URD might know of a fix for the converter I believe he sent his to a place called level 10 and they even can change the stall rate on it, if that's in you're budget. My friends have all had this issue they drive at Pismo and Dumont dunes and around 200k most of us have the whine happen. Try to stay away from additives they swell the clutch material and then it erodes faster. Hope this helps some.

 

I put Lucas slip/noise stop in today and noticed the clean dex3 I put in last week is all grey already. The whine did get a little quieter. Hopefully it gets even quieter over time.

 

Sorry bud, but if it's grey; pour out some liquor for you're homie that trans just got diagnosed with stage 5 cancer. Start saving now.

 

I agree . Grey is not the best color to find when checking the dipstick .

 

I have a 2005 Tacoma v6 auto. Just noticed a whine. I had a friend rev it up in park while I was underneath and held a long screw
Driver on bell housing to listen. Seems to be where the whine is coming from. The truck shifts fine. Could it be a bad pump, low fluid or clogged filter? The 2005 model has no trans dipstick. The whine happens in park as well as driving and the whine changes with shifts.
Advice is appreciated.

 

I have a 2004 v6 automatic 4X4 that started with whine at 190,000. I had the torque converter rebuilt and it was then quiet as a mouse. A few thousand miles later it started making the whine again, so the transmission shop apologized and rebuilt the converter again. The noise went away, again for a few thousand miles and it continues to drive me crazy at 212,000 miles. The transmission mechanic told me that something in the transmission must be causing the torque converter to fail, but I find that hard to believe when the trans shifts perfect and the fluid/filter has always been maintained well.
Does anyone think that I just need a better torque converter rebuild guy?

 

Confirm that the whine isn't coming from the alternator or powersteering.

 

For me, I am sure it is the torque converter. Each time it has been rebuilt the noise is completely gone. The trans mechanic said that "if it fails again, I think something in your trans is making too much pressure". That statement makes no sense to me; 1) why would pressure cause a bearing failure in the torque converter 2) why would pressure go up with age?

 

clogged line or valve?

 

Absolutely, unless the wrong atf fluid got in there by chance.