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Transmission making noise when in gear but drives normal?

39K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  Sam morso 
#1 ·
I have a 99 Town and Country with a 3.3 engine. The transmission makes a noise very similar to the noise a bearing in and idler pulley or the ac compressor would make when its going out. It only makes this noise when the transmission is in gear or reverse. It otherwise drives normally. Anyone have any ideas what might be the cause? Thanks
 
#2 ·
Lol it really sounds like you are experiencing the common 3rd gen noise. They have a very distinct noise when at idle in gear that goes away in neutral or as soon as the gas is pressed.

Is this noise a new development or been there forever? If it is new, then its not the common noise.
 
#5 · (Edited)
It may be nothing but wouldn't hurt to check to make sure the fluid level is up to snuff? If it persists you could drop the pan and look for debrie. Any debrie beyond the fuzz on the magnets warrants consideration of a rebuild. While doing that change the fluid and filter. If you start experiencing hesitation/stalling/hard starting it could be the flex plate is cracked. The crank sensor takes its reading from the ring gear on the flex plate inside the tranny.
 
#6 ·
Check your heat shields underneath to see if they might be giving you a low rattle at idle when under load. Also check your exhaust system for loose connections.
I assume the noise isn't there in Park or Neutral, so your transmission pump should be okay.
 
#9 ·
interesting that thay are motor shifted i didnt know that,like the first post said "The transmission makes a noise very similar to the noise a bearing in and idler pulley" sums it up well so not a buzz very definatly a bearing rumble type of sound but only in D or R goes away as soon as van is put in park or neutral
 
#10 ·
Having same problem with 2002 3.3 grand caravan- I think it's new but your description sums it up exactly. Park or Neutral= quiet. Drive or Reverse= growling through floor pan (seems to be from passenger side footwell)

I too am hoping it's not a big deal- but was hoping for a bit of reassurance from the forum!! BTW: 120k mi on the odometer. Just noticed noise at about 115k.

Thank you!
 
#11 ·
The shifting sound the 41TE makes in older (3rd gen) models is much like what you'd hear from a ratchet wrench. That noise comes from the solenoid pack; the transmission control module (TCM) turns the solenoids on and off very rapidly in order to achieve just the right hydraulic flow rate to smoothly apply a clutch. You will only hear the noise when the transmission is actively making a shift.

Loud hissing noise, almost like grinding = probably low fluid and/or perhaps a missing or improperly installed transmission filter o-ring.

Mild whine that shows up at about 30 mph or so = normal transfer gearset noise.

The solenoids ("motors") don't directly shift the transmission; the 41TE is still a hydraulic machine. The solenoids do directly control transmission fluid flow into the clutch apply hydraulic circuits, which include the clutch pistons and the accumulators. There still is a valve body like traditional all-hydraulic automatics have, but it is much smaller/simpler and does not control forward gear shift sequencing.

- G
 
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