High-frequency noise/whirring in 6th gear and other tranny problems/questions

[LongbowFoSho]

We're about two weeks into owning this car and have already noticed some possible tranny issues.

1. Higher frequency noise/whirring in 6th gear in all modes. Thought it might be a DOD issue, but there's no change whether in normal, sport or manual mode. It does not make the noise in any other gear or in any other mode.

2. This one is harder to pin down, but it seems that 2nd gear is what can only be described as rough. Whether shifting into it or out of it, the car either hesitates or almost jerks in and out of 2nd. Is this a normal characteristic of this transmission or worth having the dealer investigate?

Thanks for any insight.

[saltyrodz]

I would say take it to stealership sound like trans might take a big  on you

[JerzeyGT]

The whirring noise may be a trans mount... there is a TSB about it, also their is a reprogram for a 2-3 harsh shift...

[dklau33]

I had my trans mount replaced for the 6th gear whine around 70 mph. That completely took care of it. I also had the harsh 2-3 shifts repaired where they installed new seals in the trans. Car felt much better after they took care of it. I would say definitely bring it in to the dealer as there are TSB bulletins out there for this and should not be a problem to fix.

[-Ray-]

I had my trans mount replaced for the 6th gear whine around 70 mph. That completely took care of it. I also had the harsh 2-3 shifts repaired where they installed new seals in the trans. Car felt much better after they took care of it. I would say definitely bring it in to the dealer as there are TSB bulletins out there for this and should not be a problem to fix.

This^

[Bear]

How many miles on it, is it still under warranty?

[LongbowFoSho]

Its just a shade over 35k, but we bought it Certified so its under warranty until 46,000.

Its definitely just a sixth gear problem. I was doing 68 mph yesterday and dropped it into 5th and the noise went away immediately even though I was still at the same speed, so it probably is the TSB issue.

Overall though, the tranny just seems.....off. It seems to hesitate badly at upshifting under even medium throttle. If I give it any sort of extra gas, it seems like I have to really feather it to get it to shift in a timely manner. I dunno. Maybe I just got used to the built tranny in my GTP and so now anything else feels sluggish.

Another weird "problem" is the car doesn't seem to coast well in 2nd gear. If I'm pulling up to a light or whatever in 2nd (in any mode), the car seems like its dragging itself to a stop instead of just continuing to coast. Is this normal?

Also, when I'm pulling in the garage and I put it in neutral while I'm still moving, the tranny basically clunks and pops for a second. Is THAT normal?

Maybe I'm just experience the difference between FWD and RWD (slack between the tranny and rear diff?), but it still doesn't seem right. There shouldn't be "play" or "slack" in the system, right?

[jeppsG8]

Check the Technical Service Bulletins for anything that describes what you are feeling. My tranny is 100% better after having them perform the repair for the 2-3 shift. Whatever they did in the process of that fix seemed to clear up several annoyances.

Also, has the tranny been aftermarket tuned before? Could be a bad tune on it.

[Crazy Paul]

1. Higher frequency noise/whirring in 6th gear in all modes. Thought it might be a DOD issue, but there's no change whether in normal, sport or manual mode. It does not make the noise in any other gear or in any other mode.

Harmonics issue, originally the fix back in 2008 was to attach wheel weights to the trans mount to alter the natural frequency of the assembly. New design trans mount (if available) would cure this also.

History:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/R1010318-800.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/R1010319.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/R1010320.jpg

[davydavon]

Its just a shade over 35k, but we bought it Certified so its under warranty until 46,000.

Its definitely just a sixth gear problem. I was doing 68 mph yesterday and dropped it into 5th and the noise went away immediately even though I was still at the same speed, so it probably is the TSB issue.

Overall though, the tranny just seems.....off. It seems to hesitate badly at upshifting under even medium throttle. If I give it any sort of extra gas, it seems like I have to really feather it to get it to shift in a timely manner. I dunno. Maybe I just got used to the built tranny in my GTP and so now anything else feels sluggish.

Another weird "problem" is the car doesn't seem to coast well in 2nd gear. If I'm pulling up to a light or whatever in 2nd (in any mode), the car seems like its dragging itself to a stop instead of just continuing to coast. Is this normal?

Also, when I'm pulling in the garage and I put it in neutral while I'm still moving, the tranny basically clunks and pops for a second. Is THAT normal?

Maybe I'm just experience the difference between FWD and RWD (slack between the tranny and rear diff?), but it still doesn't seem right. There shouldn't be "play" or "slack" in the system, right?

Important: i have a 5speed V6

1: I get that feeling too... i hate torque converter slips and such. When engine is cold i get that high-rpm non-moving car feeling, but it is normal on most auto cars
2: This is my first RWD. I have driven other auto RWD like a CVPI but had noticed that the tranny feels rougher then a FWD. I know one thing that the Ford CVPI trannies are tanks and that our GM trannies are weak.
I get the rough auto (non M-mode) downshifts sometimes, like if i brake hard to take a 90o turn, hit the gas again, the tranny goes 5th to 2nd and its a rough shift. I would say it is normal for the tranny.

By the way SOME play is usually normal...

[LongbowFoSho]

The dealer said they can't reproduce the 6th gear problem, so now I'm printing out this thread and taking it with me so I can show them after they ride with me.

[bjhayes]

The dealer said they can't reproduce the 6th gear problem, so now I'm printing out this thread and taking it with me so I can show them after they ride with me.

Yep.. Same thing they tell me too. I'm not surprised though because the roads around here are concrete or old asphalt and the tire noise makes it hard to hear. BUT.. when I go on a road trip and hit some good new asphalt it's very very noticeable. Despite the TSB, if my dealer can't reproduce it I am stuck with it for now at least.

Good luck with your dealer.