Wondering if any one would know what this could be or has had similar problem. When transmission is cold, it runs fine and makes no abnormal noise. But, after running it for 30 min. or so, when I slow down I can hear a whining noise that seems to be comming from the tranny, because the slower I go, the slower the noise gets till I stop, then no noise, but it runs just fine. I do not remember it doing this b-4. I just had the transmission fluid replace 10k miles ago (currently 76,500 miles on 96 max gxe), and it looks and smells just fine. The car is rarely driven hard (mostly driven by my wife). Any input is appreciated.

 

hmmm, a whining nouse usually comes from belts, but the belts should still be spinning at a stop. I would take that one to a mechanic/dealership (not the latter unless you have a good one nearby).

 

It can come from your bearings too

 

might be your power steering. on my family's old max (read: first gen, 1980), the power steering had a leak and it had a very distinct whining sound. but i don't know if that's a problem with ours.

 

Well, I went to a mechanic today that I know, w/o the Max though, and described the symptoms listed above, and he said that the Maxima transmissions are usually bulletproof (of course), so really had no good ideas as to what the problem may be. So I think I'll have to drive it for a while then take it over to him so he can get a look at and listen to it, to better decifer the problem, if it is indeed a problem. I may also call the local dealer and see what they may know about it. I looked up TSB's but did not find any that fit the problem very well.

 

Maybe your wife drags in the car without you know it Does the auto slip? Is there any abnormality besides noise?

 

I wish she would drag race the car, that would be cool!! No the noise is the only thing odd that I noticed. I'm going to look into it deeper this weekend, maybe check the alternater, power steering pump, etc., to see if it could be one of those items (i hope, that would be so easy).

 

it may be too full! check your fluid levels. I change mine every 5,000 miles (drain/refill), and my screen filter element/gasket/pan cleaning is all done once a year. 96SE Amsoil ATF 161,260 miles, smooth acceleration (feather gas pedal) Best wishes!

 

So I finally was able to get the Max looked at today. The noise was coming from the front drivers side wheel. It looks like some water may have gotten into the wheel bearing some how, there was a bit of rust colored dust inside the hub. There is no wobble in the wheel, so the mechanic told me he didn't want to replace the bearing(waste of money) if it's not bad, but I'll keep an ear on it to see if cleaning it and spraying some lube on it will take care of it or not. This guy is really nice, he did not even charge me to check it out and it took a little while to see exactly what the problem was!! I drove it most of the afternoon and never heard the noise so maybe....