Symptom Chart - Automatic Transmission Noise/Vibration

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis and 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOISE/VIBRATION - SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Rattle - occurs at idle or at light acceleration from a stop	Damaged engine or transmission mounts	CHECK the powertrain/drivetrain mounts for damage. REFER to ENGINE or AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
	A loose front exhaust pipe heat shield	REPAIR or INSTALL a new heat shield as necessary.
	Loose inspection plate or dust cover plate	CHECK for loose bolts. TIGHTEN to specifications. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
	Loose flexplate to converter nuts	CHECK for loose nuts. TIGHTEN to specifications. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
Whine - pitch increases with vehicle speed. Starts in 1st and 2nd gear, decreases or goes away at higher gears	Damaged or worn low one-way clutch Damaged or worn intermediate one-way clutch Friction elements Damaged or worn planetary or sun gear	INSPECT the transmission for wear or damage. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
Whine - the pitch changes with engine speed	A worn or damaged accessory drive component	CARRY OUT the Engine Accessory Test. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Incorrect fluid level	CHECK that the transmission is filled to the correct level. ADD fluid as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
	Partially blocked filter	INSPECT the filter. CLEAN or INSTALL a new filter as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
	Worn or damaged torque converter	CARRY OUT the torque converter service and replacement check. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
	Worn or damaged front pump	INSPECT the front pump. INSTALL a new front pump as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
Whine - pitch changes with vehicle speed	Speedometer cable or gears	REPAIR or INSTALL new cables or gears as necessary.
Whine/moan type noise - pitch increases or changes with vehicle speed	Damaged engine or transmission mount	CHECK the powertrain/drivetrain mounts for damage. REFER to ENGINE or AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
	U-joints worn or damaged	INSPECT the U-joints for wear or damage. INSTALL new U-joints as necessary. REFER to DRIVESHAFT .
	Damaged or worn differential ring and pinion	INSPECT the differential ring and pinion for damage. CARRY OUT the CHECKING TOOTH CONTACT PATTERN AND CONDITION OF THE RING AND PINION . REPAIR or INSTALL a new differential ring and pinion as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR .
	Planetary gears nicked or chipped	CHECK the planetary gears for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
Whistle - noise is high pitched, constant. Changes in pitch with throttle position	Hydraulic pressure in the main control	INSPECT the main control. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
	Incorrect band/clutch apply pressure	CARRY OUT the line pressure tests. REPAIR or INSTALL components as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
	Worn or damaged torque converter	CARRY OUT the torque converter service and replacement check. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
Clunk - occurs when shifting from PARK to a DRIVE or REVERSE position	Damaged powertrain mounts	INSPECT the powertrain mounts for damage. INSTALL new mounts as necessary. REFER to ENGINE or AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
	Damaged or worn pinion bearings	CHECK for abnormal bearing play or roughness. INSTALL new bearings as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR .
	Worn or galled driveshaft slip yoke splines	CLEAN and INSPECT the splines of the yoke. INSTALL a new slip yoke as necessary. REFER to DRIVESHAFT .
	Worn friction elements or excessive clutch pack end plate play	INSPECT the transmission for wear. CHECK that all end play and clearances are within specification. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
Bump - occurs when shifting from PARK to a DRIVE or REVERSE position. Similar to clunk but with no sound	Initial gear engagement	Acceptable condition.
Buzz or hiss	Incorrect driveline angles	CHECK for correct driveline angles. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
Buzz or hiss	Worn or damaged main control solenoids or valves	Using a transmission tester, ACTIVATE the solenoids to duplicate sound. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
Vibration - a high frequency (20-80 Hz) that is felt through the seat or gear shifter. Changes with engine speed	Transmission cooler lines grounded out	CHECK the transmission cooler lines. REPAIR as necessary.
	Flexplate to torque converter nuts loose	CHECK the flexplate nuts. TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
	Fluid filler tube grounded out	CHECK the fluid filler tube. REPAIR as necessary.
	Shift cable incorrectly routed, grounded out or loose	CHECK the shift cable. REPAIR as necessary. Section 307-05.
Shutter or chatter - occurs with light to medium acceleration from low speeds or a stop	Electrical inputs/outputs Vehicle wiring harness Incorrect inputs/outputs from the powertrain control module (PCM), digital transmission range (TR) sensor, brake pedal position (BPP) sensor, throttle position (TP) sensor, transmission speed sensor (TSS), output speed shaft (OSS) sensor or the torque converter clutch (TCC)	CARRY OUT a Torque Converter Clutch Operation Test. RUN on-board diagnostics or self-test. CLEAR the DTC's, ROAD TEST and RERUN on-board diagnostics or self-test. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .