Symptom Chart- Automatic Transmission Noise/Vibration

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

SYMPTOM CHART - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOISE/VIBRATION

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. INSTALL new mounts as necessary. REFER to ENGINE - 2.3L , ENGINE - 3.0L (4V) , AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E for the automatic 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 - CD4E .
	Loose flexplate-to-converter nuts	CHECK for loose nuts. TIGHTEN to specifications. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E .
Whine - pitch increases with vehicle speed. Starts in first and second 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 - CD4E .
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	VERIFY the transmission is filled to the correct level. ADD fluid as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E .
	Partially blocked filter	INSPECT the filter. CLEAN or INSTALL a new filter as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E .
	Worn or damaged torque converter	CARRY OUT the torque converter service and replacement check. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E .
	Worn or damaged front pump	INSPECT the front pump. INSTALL a new front pump as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E .
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 - 2.3L , ENGINE - 3.0L (4V) or AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E for the automatic transmission .
	U-joints or constant velocity (CV) worn or damaged	INSPECT the U-joints or CV joints for wear or damage. INSTALL new U-joints or a driveshaft as necessary. REFER to DRIVESHAFT .
	Damaged or worn differential ring and pinion	REFER to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Planetary gears nicked or chipped	CHECK the planetary gears for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E .
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 - CD4E .
	Incorrect band/clutch apply pressure	CARRY OUT the line pressure tests. REPAIR or INSTALL components as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E .
	Worn or damaged torque converter	CARRY OUT the torque converter service and replacement check. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E .
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.
	Damaged or worn pinion bearings	REFER to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Worn driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint	INSPECT the CV joint. INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
	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 - CD4E .
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 ANGLES .
Buzz or hiss	Worn or damaged main control solenoids or valves	Using a transmission tester, ACTIVATE the solenoids to duplicate the sound. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E .
Vibration - a high frequency (20-80 Hz) vibration 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 - CD4E .
	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. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E .
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 the on-board diagnostics or self-test. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION - CD4E . CLEAR the DTCs, road test and rerun the on-board diagnostics or self-test.