Transmission noise

[549alex]

Hi everyone!

I had this car since new and almost since new it had this problem. Every time I would bring it to a shop, the noise would disappear. It happens when the car is cold, driving in gear while not accelerating. Usually the noise is more intense when I just let go of the accelerator and let the car cruise. The noise usually goes away when accelerating, it also goes away after 10-15 minutes of driving.

Today I finally was able to pinpoint the location, it seems to be coming from the transmission, here's the video of it: 2000 Toyota 4Runner (transmission noise??)

As the title of the video states, it's a 2000 4Runner automatic with about 95K miles. Does anyone have an idea what that might be? Not only this ghost has been driving us nuts for 10 years, it's pretty embarrassing when it happens.

 

[brian2sun]

You're sure it's not one of the serpentine belts, right? I would maybe leave the truck overnight at the shop so they can start it up i the morning when it makes the noise.

 

[549alex]

No, definitely not anywhere in the engine bay. I'm pretty sure it's coming from the transmission. But other then the annoying noise, I did not notice any other symptoms.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

You seem pretty certain it's coming from the tranny but I swear it sounds like the air conditioning compressor.

You sure you don't leave the defroster on frequently? With the fan speed so low you just don't notice it?

So during the sound clip someone is accelerating to 2nd/3rd gears?

And like brian says leave it overnight-show up in the morning so you can be there when they first drive it and point out the noise.

 

[549alex]

You guys seem to think it is something around the engine... Makes me want to repeat my experiment. But, when I first heard the noise with the car on the stands, I was standing next to the car on the driver's side and immediately thought it was coming from the rear axle, but then after repeating and listening to the noise several times I was pretty sure it was coming from the tranny.

I first tried to push the accelerator myself and then run and try to see where the noise is coming from, but as the car looses speed the noise quickly goes away, so I had my 5-year old son push the accelerator for me.

I don't think the car had a chance to switch gears, I think it was in 1st the entire time.

No, I don't think the defroster would block noises as we almost never use it.

I could leave the car overnight at a shop, but what I'm hoping for is maybe someone had a similar problem and would point me in the right direction so that I could DIY.

 

[brian2sun]

Well you could always let the shop tell you what it is (and possibly have to pay a diagnostic fee), but you could tell them you'll have to think about it if it's expensive. Then you can leave and DIY, but at least you'll know what to fix. Since this issue has been driving you nuts for 10 years, if it were me, it would be worth a diagnostic fee just be done with it. It's hard to diagnose a sound over the internet and you could wind up chasing your tail or fixing something that isn't broken. A shop that can see and hear the truck in person might be your best bet in this case.

 

[549alex]

I went to my trusted mechanic to check it out. With some patience we were able to reproduce the noise and he confirmed that the noise is coming from inside of the transmission unit on the rear side of it where the propeller shafts (front and rear) are attached. He also removed the oil plug and said that there is plenty of fluid and it seems to be fine both color and smell wise. He could see a part of a chain inside the transmission and suggested that it might not be tight enough (a tensioner problem perhaps??) and hits the casing. Interesting that no one else seem to have the same issue, I've searched the internet and could not find anything. Perhaps it's a manufacturing defect. I've decided to leave it alone for now as I'm working on my other car at the moment and when that project is done, I'll try to open the back of the transmission casing myself and go from there.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

Well that has to be a little peace of mind now-knowing what it is as opposed to just wondering how severe it might be.

Appreciate you updating us on the progress.

 

[dsrtflcon7]

have same noise

well i finally found a noise that sounds very similar to what i'm hearing. if anyone else has had this similar problem and possibly fixed it. it will be great help for me for any info. :shrug:
my symptoms are- same noise, and only when i go over about 25mph and have foot off gas pedal.

 

[athlon450]

Just for Ch-ts and giggles, I would pull the drive shaft and see if the drive shaft is rubbing on the dust shield in the tranmission tail housing. Sound like metal to metal rubbing when the transmission is not under load from the drive shaft and the dust shield.

 

[athlon450]

Spray some wd-40 or other lubricant around the drive shaft and the dust shield and see if it quiets down.

 

[Grey Batchelder]

tranny noise

i know this thread is dated, however, i have the exact same issue. the noise occurs neither at acceleration or deceleration. only when there is neutral force on the drivetrain...nice to know its not just me!

grey

 

[Geeb6]

Same embarrassing noise here

Was hoping to find a final solution to this. Mine only makes noise while not accelerating. It's intermittent and never predictable. Sometimes when cold, sometimes when hot. Engaging 4wd makes no change, and as soon as you put load on it it's quiet. Thought it was a universal joint and lubed all fittings but still there and no play in any universal. As much as the sound reminds me of a bad idler pulley it's definitely not coming from engine bay and won't make noise while parked. Any help appreciated. 2000 limited here

 

[Jlobx]

I get a slight and light metal on metal grinding noise specifically between. 1400 and 1600 rpm in at least 1st and 2nd gear. Beyond that, I can't hear the echo off objects outside the car. Only happens in drive (not park or neutral) and don't feel it in the ride (yet) ideas??

 

[drmitch90]

Slight metal sound while driving/ shifting from 1st to 2nd

Hey Jlobx, I hope that you are still checking out this tread but my '15 runner just started making this same sound I believe. It only happens when I am driving from a stop and on the accelerator when it's shifting at the high end of first or if it down shifts while going uphill. Have you diagnosed your issue yet because I just went through a full 100k tune hoping that would fix the issue and it's still there

 

[spartacus]

Hey Jlobx, I hope that you are still checking out this tread but my '15 runner just started making this same sound I believe. It only happens when I am driving from a stop and on the accelerator when it's shifting at the high end of first or if it down shifts while going uphill. Have you diagnosed your issue yet because I just went through a full 100k tune hoping that would fix the issue and it's still there

Jlobx has not been active since 2015. 9 times out of ten it's the serpentine belt or roller bearings on a pulley.
This is the 3rd Gen section. 5th gens have a 4.0l with a serpentine belt vs 3rd gens 3.4l with three drive belts.
Here is a link to get you started.
Squealing Noise Coming From Engine Bay