captaincru

2002 GS300; 166k

I've been on here a while now, found some posts but no real answers. I'll try again . . . .

My trans is whinning. Low RPMs, during acceleration. Don't notice it while driving (road noise covers it?). Shifts smooth and normal, which causes me to question a real transmission problem.

Could it be a Torque Converter issue? I only recently read that you're not supposed to change all the trans fluid at one time. Which I have. I was told by my Lexus mechanic to drain it, crank and run the motor at idle, shift to Drive for a little bit, then stop. This would get any fluid in the Torque Converter out for a complete oil change. Have I boogered up?

This sound dumb, but I reallly started noticing it after I had new valve cover gaskets and sparks plugs installed. I doubt it's related.

The only other issue I've noticed is that when coasting from a stop, downhill, there's a hard shift from 1st to 2nd. I notice it mostly in a large parking lot or when in heavy traffic. No other shifting issues.

Anyone come up with any ideas on this thread?

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

Is your radio on when you hear this whinning?

captaincru

Radio ????? . . . . . . . . . what?

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

You said your whining started when you changed your spark plugs so the spark plugs can send an interference signal to the radio that sounds like whining if you put the wrong ones in. It's a long shot but it's the only correlation I could think of spark plugs with whining sound.

captaincru

ooohhhhh . . . . . . . I couldn't figure out your train of thought. No. Not coming from the radio. Definitely the trans. Only during acceleration. Reving engine in P or N doesn't do it.

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

Trany fluid at the proper level?

porn-adkt

iTrader: (37)

Lol.......

G000BER

iTrader: (1)

Bump having same problem

Lilmankaoz

im having the same issue have you figured anything out?

burny

how often do you guys replace your tranny fluid? Do you do a complete replacement through the tranny cooler line hooked to bottom of radiator?

ntwrkguy1

I'll be curious to hear the answers on this. I just had a really strange conversation with a Toyota transmission tech at the local Toyota dealer when I was having my oil changed on my '03 430.

He said that the transmission fluid is not designed to be changed. In his own words, "that's why there's no reference to it in the owner's manual." Strangely enough, when I looked for "transmission fluid" in the owner's manual, there ISN'T anything.

I cannot believe this is some kind of lifetime fluid in these cars, but why doesn't the owner's manual say anything about a change interval?

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

If it wasn't designed to be changed, why would there be a dipstick and drain plug for it? Wouldn't it simply be a sealed unit? Sounds like this tech doesn't have any real world experience...

ntwrkguy1

That's what I thought. But......I just went out to check the trans fluid level on my '03. The fluid had the right color and definitely did not smell burnt, but I was REALLY surprised by what I read on the sticker that's wrapped around the top of the dipstick.

It said "ATF should not be changed under normal driving conditions" (or something to that effect).

I agree with you -- why would there be a dipstick and plug for it? But Lexus seems to think that it shouldn't be changed, which is what that tech said.

What gives?