Hi all,

I have got a howling noise since last September and need your help as Toyota dealership could not find out what is the cause of it. I have driven my vehicle for more than 6000 kms since I found out about the noise. I will try to describe it as much detailed as possible. The howling noise does not happen when the engine is cold (RPMs about 1100 or higher), when I just start the vehicle, I don't hear it. If I drive and the engine is warm, stop at a stop light, I could hear it with low RPMs (600 usually), it's the same monotonous noise like a flying bee. When I turn off the vehicle and start it again I hear the noise. It looks like the howling comes from the front (it's somewhere behind the driver's console in the middle) and it does not matter if the transmission is in Parking, Neutral or Driving position. The lower RPMs the louder howling noise. If I put engine above 1000 RPMs in Parking the noise disappears. Where could it come from? The dealership suggested change the whole transmission ($3800) or torque converter ($1100) but I believe the problem somewhere else. Thank you for your help!

Replace the transmission? Is the noise coming from the trans? If so try changing the trans atf first. How many miles on your 4R? Have you ever changed the trans oil?

Toyota dealership told me noise was coming from the transmission but in my opinion it was coming from the engine.

ATF fluid was change several times in the last 3 years - May 2008, November 2008 (including the metal filter under the fluid tray), July 2010 and in October 2010 as well when a dealership mechanic removed the tray to examine it for debris. Everytime fluid was in good condition, no burning smell, good color, no metal debris on the bottom of the tray (Dealership mechanic confirmed it), it was perfect.

I have about 300,500 kms on it. I bought it when it had 234,000 kms 3 years ago.

Could it be water pump or steering wheel pump? Or timing belt? It's hard to tell exactly but I believe howling noise comes from the centre of the engine somewhere there.

Have the same problem in my wifes 98. its the pump in the trans. To lazy to rebuild it so its gonna be driven until its done. (which could be a long time)

Is there a way to fix it without rebuilding or changing? Will ATF flush help? The one where it pushes old fluid with fresh through a machine?

I was listening to it and found that the noise changes tone (it's like if it would sing, from lower to higher tone). The pattern of the sound is the same, sometimes it gets louder.

What I also found that it does not necessary appear when I stop - it could disappear, I go for couple blocks, stop again and it reappears.

Try letting it get nice and hot and making the noise. Then shut it off and have someone start it while holding the cooling fan still. Ive heard that noise come from the fan clutch bearing before.

It's been a while since I logged in here. The problem was fixed in the fall of 2011. It turned out to be a faulty alternator. My battery did not charge enough and I had trouble starting the vehicle in cold days. As soon as I pointed out this issue to my dealership they found the alternator was faulty, replaced it and the howling noise disappeared and I never heard it again. I was lucky that did not do any costly repair with the trasmission.

glad you got it fixed.

but, holy hell...talk about incompetent techs at the dealership. that should/would have been easy to locate.

but, to try to sell you a transmission, instead of FINDING the problem? that's ridiculous.

"sure, replace it, but it that's not the problem im not paying for the repair"