emoore924

Over the past two weeks or so, the auto tranny in my 98 SE (132K miles) has begun to whine on light accel in top gear only between 40 and 50 mph once it is warmed up. It is fine over that speed (meaning I don't hear anything). If I turn the o/d off, the whine pretty much goes away, but just tonight I started to hear a little whine with the o/d off at about 30-40 mph and also a little under decel.

The whine has gotten progressively worse over the past several weeks and is beginning to get a little obtrusive (the "turn up the radio" fix no longer works and I can't hit it with a hammer so percussive maintenance is out). I don't want to trash the tranny and I don't want to get left on the side of the road if the thing goes kaflooie all of a sudden.

The fluid was changed about 40K ago. I checked it tonight and it is pink and clear, at the proper level and there is no "burnt" smell.

There is no symptom other than the whine -- i.e. it still shifts as it did before the whine began.

There is nothing leaking.

I did a search and really didn't find anything specific on this issue.

Thoughts? TIA

Bender-san

How loud a whine...and you're certain that it's from the trans? I've heard a lot of noises from the p/s pump even with full fluid levels. If it's definitely from the trans, I'll see what I can find on Assist tomorrow. I'll get back to you on this...I want to know because I've got a 98 GXE Auto, as well.

emoore924

I'm pretty certain it is from the tranny. The noise starts when the tranny is in 4th at about 40 mph. It then rises in pitch and volume until about 50 when it drops off and I can't hear it any more (not to say it isn't making *some* noise I can't hear at that point). And I really can't hear anything in the lower gears except that it is now starting to do the same thing at a lower speed when the o/d is off. If I change gears manually, I can make the noise come and go, etc...Oh, and the noise changes with more load -- IMHO that's probably the kicker for the tranny diag.

I'd be surprised if it was something else at this point but I guess you never know. Thanks for the idea.

Bender-san

No TSB's...2 tech tips for final drive gears making similar noises. I'd just drive the thing...I don't think it will lock up on you. Is the noise unbearibly loud?

emoore924

This looks like it. I will approach the dealer with the following information:
/--------------/
Service Bulletin Number: NTB99030A
Bulletin Sequence Number: 672
Date of Bulletin: 9906
NHTSA Item Number: SB606720
Make: NISSAN
Model: MAXIMA
Year: 1998
Component: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: INFORMATION REGARDING AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OUTPUT GEAR WHINE (60 - 70 MPH). *TT

Bender-san

If you tell them what's up they should be able to find the symptoms on Assist and get the same information. Just let them know that you talked to another Nissan tech who told you about the info.