Please help ID these transmission noises...

[northernexposure]

Hi. I have a 2001 4Runner with 120k and it spontaneously started these whining and whapping noises that I have verified are coming from the transmission.

The whining happens when engaged in any gear and is proportional to engine RPM. Not detectable in neutral or park.

The whapping can kind of be heard in park or neutral, but is really loud when in reverse.

https://soundcloud.com/user917557159/tranny-whap

https://soundcloud.com/user917557159/tranny-whine-short

https://soundcloud.com/user917557159/tranny-whine (long version of whine moving with different gears)

Thanks! She's too young for this...

 

[kball]

How does the fluid look? Has it ever been serviced?

 

[jgue467]

Same questions. Plus did you use a stethoscope to isolate the sound? 'wrapping' sound could be transfer case. Inspect dampers, engine and tranny mounts too, a worn one will cause movement.


If fluid is 'old' you might either do a drain/fill or go further with a full pan drop & filter replacement (though its more like a window screen in filtering ability). If fluid is 'old' consider adding a Magnefine. Luck. :cowboy:

 

[slapdappy]

the whine might be the power steering pump/belt/something. as your engine RPMs increase the pulley RPM increases, so when the trans shifts and the engine RPMs drop the power steering pump RPMs also decrease, thus accounting for the change in pitch when the tranny shifts. Although you do say you've isolated it to transmission because it doesn't occur when in park or neutral.
The clunk may be a busted/failing engine mount or transmission mount, though when one went on my Dad's Volvo XC70 it was an alarmingly stout clunk when shifting into D or R, more so than a consistent clunk when driving.
Sure it's transmission and not drive train?
Is there a fluid pump in/for the transmission?
sorry, as I suspect none of this is pertinent. kinda thinking out loud.

Can you put the rear up on jack stands and have someone "drive it" while you zero in on the location?