Can a transmission even make this noise?

Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's, Olds 98 91-96, Buick Lesabres and Park Avenue 91-96. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
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putertopia
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Can a transmission even make this noise?

Post by putertopia »

At first I thought it was the bearings in the motor, but now I'm leaning towards the trans because A) you can't hear it much at all at idle, B) oil pressure is never below 40 psi and is acting the same way it always has, and C) that's where the noise is coming from.

I have three vids. I just ran this about 8 miles, so it's completely warmed up, and after I shut it off for a few mins and turned it back on, you couldn't hear it. Listen to these vids, they were taken over a span of about three minutes until you could really start to hear it again. Ignore the fact you can't hear anything, just know that whenever the camera is in the engine compartment, it's being held directly above the vacuum line into the vac modulator.

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In a way, it's a bittersweet moment. This means I can do an L67 swap because that's what I told myself I would do if either component were to fail. The negative part, however, is school just started back up and I'm not in a financial position to be able to afford an L67 + 4t65e combo.

Anyone have a cheap L67 + tranny combo they'd like to sell me? :lol:

Should I back off the vac modulator a bit? Could I have destroyed the fluid pump with that?

P.S. I just remembered this. I was on the highway today doing about 85 doing a quick pass to get around a truck before an exit ramp and 3>4 shift under 50-75% throttle took like an entire two seconds to complete, it felt like the clutches weren't grabbing. I guess I just solved my own prob, eh? Fluid Pump ie another (this will be my 4th or 5th salvage) trans?
- Josh

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1994 Bonneville SSEi - 136k mi - FWI, 180* T-stat, Fresh upper gaskets
1997 Bonneville SE - 110k mi - H4U, 3.06:1, Tinted Tails, Bridgestone Potenza G009 225/60/16s
Performance: INTENSE PCM, INTENSE 180* T-stat, Gutted air box, K&N air filter, Ported LIM, Borg Warner Wires, NGK TR-55 Plugs, Adjustable Trans Modulator.
Bells and Whistles: Flowmaster 80 crossflow muffler w/ quad tips, 2x Kicker CVR12 Subs in vented box, 1000W RMS 1-ohm American Bass Amp, Alpine MRP-F200 4-channel amp (temporary), Infinity 60.7CS 6.5" Component System (front), Blaupunkt 3-way 6x9s (rear), Pioneer DEH-P6900UB Head Unit, Hardwired Whistler Pro 58 Radar Detector, Hardwired Navigon 2100 GPS
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Re: Can a transmission even make this noise?

Post by ChilinMichael »

I think I've read a few times about a whiny transmission = fluid pump.
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Re: Can a transmission even make this noise?

Post by Blownville »

This may be way out in left field but what if the bendix on the starter was bad? I have had this happen on a totally different vehicle but I think it is worth a mention. If you are not sure what I am talking about the gear in the starter is kicked out to engage the flywheel and if it hangs out or sticks out it could make that noise. That 3rd video is the one that makes me make this assumption. However I am not an expert and it's just the first thing that came to mind.
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Re: Can a transmission even make this noise?

Post by putertopia »

Eh it's the fluid pump. It's slipped a few times and made some very very strange noises/feelings. I'm scrapping the last GM vehicle I buy by either buying a trans and selling it or parting it. Getting a foxbody mustang or similar.
- Josh

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1994 Bonneville SSEi - 136k mi - FWI, 180* T-stat, Fresh upper gaskets
1997 Bonneville SE - 110k mi - H4U, 3.06:1, Tinted Tails, Bridgestone Potenza G009 225/60/16s
Performance: INTENSE PCM, INTENSE 180* T-stat, Gutted air box, K&N air filter, Ported LIM, Borg Warner Wires, NGK TR-55 Plugs, Adjustable Trans Modulator.
Bells and Whistles: Flowmaster 80 crossflow muffler w/ quad tips, 2x Kicker CVR12 Subs in vented box, 1000W RMS 1-ohm American Bass Amp, Alpine MRP-F200 4-channel amp (temporary), Infinity 60.7CS 6.5" Component System (front), Blaupunkt 3-way 6x9s (rear), Pioneer DEH-P6900UB Head Unit, Hardwired Whistler Pro 58 Radar Detector, Hardwired Navigon 2100 GPS
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Re: Can a transmission even make this noise?

Post by Jrs3800 »

when the transmission has been replaced was the Trans cooler flushed? If not this can destroy every trans you install... There is a reason you have been through soo many transmissions... The Pump does sound like its on its way out..
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Re: Can a transmission even make this noise?

Post by putertopia »

I asked them that question every time after I had a problem with the freshly installed trans, and they always claimed to have flushed the trans cooler. I've always flushed the cooler on my own when I've done tranny swaps on other vehicles. I'm less than 100 miles out of warranty and they won't do a *dang* thing, even though I had them look at the car before the warranty was up including the rough shifts in the trans and they just replied 'it's normal'. It's so hard to work with them.

For now, I'm driving my fiance's 3.5L 03 Maxima :twisted:. Doesn't quite drive like the Bonneville in the sense that the tires don't really grip whatsoever in first gear lol.
- Josh

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1994 Bonneville SSEi - 136k mi - FWI, 180* T-stat, Fresh upper gaskets
1997 Bonneville SE - 110k mi - H4U, 3.06:1, Tinted Tails, Bridgestone Potenza G009 225/60/16s
Performance: INTENSE PCM, INTENSE 180* T-stat, Gutted air box, K&N air filter, Ported LIM, Borg Warner Wires, NGK TR-55 Plugs, Adjustable Trans Modulator.
Bells and Whistles: Flowmaster 80 crossflow muffler w/ quad tips, 2x Kicker CVR12 Subs in vented box, 1000W RMS 1-ohm American Bass Amp, Alpine MRP-F200 4-channel amp (temporary), Infinity 60.7CS 6.5" Component System (front), Blaupunkt 3-way 6x9s (rear), Pioneer DEH-P6900UB Head Unit, Hardwired Whistler Pro 58 Radar Detector, Hardwired Navigon 2100 GPS
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Re: Can a transmission even make this noise?

Post by Jrs3800 »

I just have no idea why you have soo many issues with the transmission in that car.. I have 183,000 Miles on mine and its still kicking..

Like I tell some people... If you were closer we could fix that problem...lol
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Re: Can a transmission even make this noise?

Post by repinS »

Hey... by 115k my car got its 3rd transmission in its lifetime :P It happens!

I used to get an odd whine at the top of first and second from 1800-2000rpm right before a shift. And on occasion revving in neutral. It went away with the trans rebuild. Pretty sure it was the fluid pump.
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Jerry /// Past: 95 SSEi (June 2010 COTM) -- 04 GXP (July 2011 COTM)
91 Honda Civic Wagon DX 2WD (fuelly) -- 208,000km -- 92hp -- Autocross Warrior
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09 White Hot G8 GT -- 155,000km (fuelly) -- LS3 Cam -- GM LS3 CNC Ported Heads -- Kooks 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers -- Solo Catback Midsection -- Hooker Maxflow Mufflers -- Pat G Tune -- Rotofab Intake -- Tein S-Tech Springs -- GXP FE3 Dampers -- BMR Subframe Cradle Inserts -- BMR Subframe Connectors -- Forgestar F14 Gold 18x9 +40 -- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/45/18 -- Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Spoiler
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Re: Can a transmission even make this noise?

Post by Jrs3800 »

Yeah... There is usually a reason for the pump to fail as well.. And the pumps will handle 6000 Rpms with reliability.. Starving the pump can cause damage...

Its rare to be on your 4th by 115k.. But then I have Large coolers on all of mine.. Keeping them cool is what has saved them..LOL

Both of you should be closer...we could change out a trans like its velcro :beerchug:
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Re: Can a transmission even make this noise?

Post by putertopia »

I'm down lol. But yeah distance seems to be a problem.

Only two things I can think of may have contributed to this. First thing is if I stopped fast enough (ceramic pads and what not), the trans would fall out of gear for a second or two. Second thing is, about three weeks ago I accidentally bumped the shifter somehow exactly between neutral and drive. I didn't notice that it moved the gearshift and it was still driving. I went to get on it a little to pass around someone turning and it fell out of gear and made a pretty bad noise. I didn't think that could cause that kind of damage though...

I've got my trans swap time down to like 5 hours with no prybar and two floor jacks being my main tools haha. Not that that's quick, but first time took two days (in my garage, with a lift I've done a swap in 3 hours in a 97 Lesabre.)

I just think I kind of outgrew the reason I bought this car, for comfort and travel. Now that my fiance has a new Maxima, we can use that go to on vacation and to MI every year. Instead of me keeping it and fixing it and just running it hard, I'll buy the fox body and drive it the way it was designed.
- Josh

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1994 Bonneville SSEi - 136k mi - FWI, 180* T-stat, Fresh upper gaskets
1997 Bonneville SE - 110k mi - H4U, 3.06:1, Tinted Tails, Bridgestone Potenza G009 225/60/16s
Performance: INTENSE PCM, INTENSE 180* T-stat, Gutted air box, K&N air filter, Ported LIM, Borg Warner Wires, NGK TR-55 Plugs, Adjustable Trans Modulator.
Bells and Whistles: Flowmaster 80 crossflow muffler w/ quad tips, 2x Kicker CVR12 Subs in vented box, 1000W RMS 1-ohm American Bass Amp, Alpine MRP-F200 4-channel amp (temporary), Infinity 60.7CS 6.5" Component System (front), Blaupunkt 3-way 6x9s (rear), Pioneer DEH-P6900UB Head Unit, Hardwired Whistler Pro 58 Radar Detector, Hardwired Navigon 2100 GPS
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Re: Can a transmission even make this noise?

Post by repinS »

Jrs3800 wrote:Yeah... There is usually a reason for the pump to fail as well.. And the pumps will handle 6000 Rpms with reliability.. Starving the pump can cause damage...

Its rare to be on your 4th by 115k.. But then I have Large coolers on all of mine.. Keeping them cool is what has saved them..LOL

Both of you should be closer...we could change out a trans like its velcro :beerchug:
Oh for sure Don.. I'd love to be closer to hot and sunny Florida :P

The 2nd trans was a Goodwrench rebuild as per the tag on it, but according to the 3800/GP guys who rebuilt it this time, they say that the diff is generally not touched, which was my main issue. So I guess you could say 3rd transmission, 2nd differential :P
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Jerry /// Past: 95 SSEi (June 2010 COTM) -- 04 GXP (July 2011 COTM)
91 Honda Civic Wagon DX 2WD (fuelly) -- 208,000km -- 92hp -- Autocross Warrior
09 Lexus LS460 AWD -- 94,000km -- Daily Driver
09 White Hot G8 GT -- 155,000km (fuelly) -- LS3 Cam -- GM LS3 CNC Ported Heads -- Kooks 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers -- Solo Catback Midsection -- Hooker Maxflow Mufflers -- Pat G Tune -- Rotofab Intake -- Tein S-Tech Springs -- GXP FE3 Dampers -- BMR Subframe Cradle Inserts -- BMR Subframe Connectors -- Forgestar F14 Gold 18x9 +40 -- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/45/18 -- Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Spoiler
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Re: Can a transmission even make this noise?

Post by Blownville »

I too had a GM Goodwrench rebuild start to chatter and slip on me in my 95 I had. I am having issues with trusting the one my 98 I just picked up.
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