Under a decent throttle load, something is making a whining/howling noise, but only when it's in 1st gear. It stops as soon as it shifts into second. And it sounds like it's coming from around the center of the car. Is my transmission on its way out? I was thinking my U-joints might be going bad, but wouldn't they be making a noise all the time, and not just in 1st gear?

 

When I had my interior/carpet stripped out, I heard the exact same thing, especially toward the top of first gear. But I also heard it under light throttle. RAAMmat and putting the interior back in and I couldn't hear it anymore. Is it super loud?

 

It gets louder the more the throttle is open.

 

Have a passenger ride with you and look perpendicular to the forward axis of the car (ie, facing you, the driver) while it makes the noise. You can also try turning your head toward the passenger window while it makes the noise, just don't hit anything. This will help pinpoint the source of the nosie (forward, middle, rear).

Assuming it's the transmission, which it probably is, theres not much you can do about it. Check the fluid and don't worry about it. You're probably fine, and if it blows, then there was most likely nothing you could have done.

 

It's definitley the trans making the noise. I don't know why I didn't think to do this earlier, but I just took a look at the fluid. It's clean and is still reddish, but it has a slight burnt smell to it. I think it might be on its way out. I'm going to take it to a transmission guy this week and have him check it out. What's the average life expectancy of a 700R4? Mine has 73,000 miles on it.

 

They say that a 700R4 is typically done after about 100,000 miles. I've seen some last way longer however, just as I have seen some last way shorter.

 

Heh... 85 TA with a T-5... Mine makes the same noises. It's like a Batmobile with the turbines going. I've owned the car for 12 years, and it's always done it (was rebuilt about 3 years into owning it). I guess all this means is it's not necessarily an indication of impending doom. Now, I actually kinda like it!