Transmission whine.

Tiny
BLUEISMYCOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SATURN SL2
  • 1.9L
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 113,000 MILES
Is it normal for a 2001 Saturn SL2 to have a transmission whine when in slow speeds. I only hear it when I am speeding up and slowing down. What could be causing this? Also I have noticed that when I mash the brake to stop my rpms will rev up and then go back down.
Wednesday, March 30th, 2016 AT 12:42 AM

24 Replies

Tiny
BLUEISMYCOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
I guess I should add that the engine light is not on.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 30th, 2016 AT 12:46 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Have you checked to see if your low on transmission fluid?Also the rpms going up when you come to a quick stop could be a bad coolant temp sensor. You have checked to make sure there are no codes even though the check engine light isn't on?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 30th, 2016 AT 12:56 PM
Tiny
BLUEISMYCOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
Transmission fluid is full and pink. I have not had it scanned because I was told scanning will only work if the engine light is on. I haven't tried quick stopping this happens with normal breaking.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 30th, 2016 AT 2:09 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The high idle when coming to a stop could be the coolant temp sensor is reading the incorrect temp. If you have a advanced scan tool then sometimes you can get codes even if the check engine light isn't on.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 30th, 2016 AT 7:32 PM
Tiny
BLUEISMYCOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
OK thank know you! I will see if I can find someone that has one. What are your thoughts on the whine? I have seen several people say it was normal for a Saturn but I'm not sure.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 30th, 2016 AT 8:28 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Are you sure it's the transmission?Because the alternators do whine and you will hear them at low speeds.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 30th, 2016 AT 11:11 PM
Tiny
BLUEISMYCOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
I'm not positive I'm just guessing it is because that's what (to me) it sounded like. It's pretty loud.I do tend to be overly paranoid at times mainly because my car is my lifleline. My job depends on it. Also sometimes there will be a loud "alarm" type sound coming from the back end. I'm guessing that is the fuel pump going bad?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 30th, 2016 AT 11:34 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I have never heard a alarm sound coming from the rear of the car before. Maybe it's a different sound then your describing. Start the car and let it idle in park the rev the up to maybe 2000 rpms slowly. Can you hear that whining sound?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 31st, 2016 AT 6:43 AM
Tiny
BLUEISMYCOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
I'm not the best at describing sounds. The alarm sound was pretty constant a few month back and then I didn't hear it anymore. Here recently it started again but it's only done it a couple times. When I reved to 2000rpms I couldn't really tell if I was hearing the same sound. Am I being overly paranoid? I am female so I'm good for that lol.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 31st, 2016 AT 10:01 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Not sure since I can't hear the sound your hearing. As far as a alarm sound I have no clue what noise your trying to describe there. Have you had your rear brakes checked.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 31st, 2016 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
BLUEISMYCOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
Just had new back brakes and wheel cylinders put on.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 31st, 2016 AT 12:23 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Maybe a rear wheel bearing or rust on the drums.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 31st, 2016 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
BLUEISMYCOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
I have a video and you can see and hear what it's doing bur unfortunately there is no option to post video here.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 31st, 2016 AT 9:55 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
You can post it to you tube and post the link.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 31st, 2016 AT 9:59 PM
Tiny
BLUEISMYCOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
https://youtu.be/FTEdLTIL00g

Hopefully this works and it helps.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 31st, 2016 AT 10:52 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
If you put it in neutral while driving and it's whining does the whining change or go away?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 31st, 2016 AT 10:57 PM
Tiny
BLUEISMYCOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
I will have to try that tomorrow and get back to you. :)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 31st, 2016 AT 11:00 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So when your driving and you give it gas the noise gets louder quick with necessarily a increase in speed?Also can you hear the noise in park while reving the engine?I think you answered that question but we're unclear as to the answer.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, April 1st, 2016 AT 6:26 AM
Tiny
BLUEISMYCOLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
I had a couple friends that work on cars to listen to the whine. They both agree that it sounds like my power steering pump and not the transmission. Now I am hearing a buzz sound when I go from park to reverse or drive. It's a short electric sounding buzz. They aren't sure what that is?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 5th, 2016 AT 5:41 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
That buzzing sound is normal it's the transmission actuators also that whining noise could also be the idler pulley bearing.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 5th, 2016 AT 8:48 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Transmission Whine Content

VIEW MORE