3rd gear whine

[adg44]

I noticed today when I was driving with my top up that in third gear, if I take it past 2k RPM, especially above 3k, when I let off the gas I get a very audible whine. It sounded like an elecctrical whine at first, so I shut off the radio, but it was still there. Put the clutch in and it goes away, same if I shift to 2nd or 4th gear. This is the only gear I have noticed it in.

I'm assuming if it was the rear end, then it should whine in any gear, not just third. Perhaps this is a normal sound? It is pretty loud though.

I did a search and saw someone mention a similar noise in 5th and 6th gear, but nothing about 3rd. The car only has 3k miles on it, so the gear oil shouldn't be bad yet, and I haven't really seen where old gear oil causes a whine.

Thoughts? Luckilly I am still under the powertrain warranty if something does need to be replaced.

- Anthony

 

[adg44]

I've been doing a lot of reading, and I came accross this thread which is EXACTLY the same problem I am having: http://forums.viperclub.org/srt10-s...whine-deacceleration-2003-viper-srt-10-a.html

There was no resolution in that thread, however.

 

[MikeR]

Maybe you should have your rear end fluid drained and sent in to your lab for evaluation.

 

[adg44]

Maybe you should have your rear end fluid drained and sent in to your lab for evaluation.

You make smarty-pants comments like that now, but I think you'll be glad to see the analyzation report.

If anyone has something worthile and relevant to add to this issue, I would greatly appreciate it. It's just so odd that it only does it in one gear...

Thanks,

- Anthony

 

[ILLSMOQ]

don't use third gear

 

[Fast Too]

I probably have the most experience with PS Pump failures in an 06 coupe than anybody on this forum, not that I want bragging rights to that. When my first one went it whined in third at 3k rpm and above. Are you sure it is coming from the rear of the car or something you just hear in the cockpit with the top up. If the latter have that pump looked at.

 

[dave6666]

Thoughts of having fluid from my rear end analyzed are making me nauseous.

 

[adg44]

I probably have the most experience with PS Pump failures in an 06 coupe than anybody on this forum, not that I want bragging rights to that. When my first one went it whined in third at 3k rpm and above. Are you sure it is coming from the rear of the car or something you just hear in the cockpit with the top up. If the latter have that pump looked at.

Hmmm.... I will go drive it again today and double check.

 

[MikeR]

Thoughts of having fluid from my rear end analyzed are making me nauseous.

I wonder what would test as worse, your rear end fluid or his from his Viper. hmmm???

 

[adg44]

I read through this thread: http://forums.viperclub.org/srt10-srt10-coupe-discussions/567075-2003-power-steering-pump-noise.html

I did have the recall done, and I don't know if they used power steering fluid or automatic transmission fluid when they refilled it. The Recall was done in the winter of 2005.

One thing to note is that this is really only noticeable on deceleration in3rd gear. When accelerating you can't hear it as much (although that may just be because of the exhaust).

- Anthony

 

[Fast Too]

I read through this thread: http://forums.viperclub.org/srt10-srt10-coupe-discussions/567075-2003-power-steering-pump-noise.html

I did have the recall done, and I don't know if they used power steering fluid or automatic transmission fluid when they refilled it. The Recall was done in the winter of 2005.

One thing to note is that this is really only noticeable on deceleration in3rd gear. When accelerating you can't hear it as much (although that may just be because of the exhaust).

- Anthony

Doesn't mean its still a good pump because of the recall accomplishment. Mine uses ATF-4, not sure about in the 03. Mopar ATF-4 is red in color, Mopar PS Fluid is clear. That should give you an idea what it is filled with by looking in the reservior. Also on mine the fan motor is fed by the PS pump. Is your temps doing anything funny at all. Assuming that pump feeds your fan on the 03 too, I don't know but would think it does.

 

[adg44]

Doesn't mean its still a good pump because of the recall accomplishment. Mine uses ATF-4, not sure about in the 03. Mopar ATF-4 is red in color, Mopar PS Fluid is clear. That should give you an idea what it is filled with by looking in the reservior. Also on mine the fan motor is fed by the PS pump. Is your temps doing anything funny at all. Assuming that pump feeds your fan on the 03 too, I don't know but would think it does.

My coolant temps are pretty much locked at 200 degrees - I haven't seen it fluctuate much, if at all.

I'm going to go down to the garage now with my flashlight and see if my fluid is red or clear.

 

[Schulmann]

Check if this noise is also present in 5th gear too.

It might be either a gear or a bearing ....

 

[Fast Viper]

As Fast Too said, it might be the powersteering pump

 

[adg44]

My coolant temps are pretty much locked at 200 degrees - I haven't seen it fluctuate much, if at all.

I'm going to go down to the garage now with my flashlight and see if my fluid is red or clear.

OK, I definitely have power steering fluid in there and not ATF, as it is clear. It was a bit low, so I added some power steering fluid (maybe 200 ml). No change in the noise.

 

[adg44]

Check if this noise is also present in 5th gear too.

It might be either a gear or a bearing ....

I was at my local VW dealer getting the car state and emissions inspected, and I went out for a ride with one of their senior tech's. He heard the noise and said it sounds definitely like a transmission whine. If it was the rear diff, I should be hearing it in every gear.

When I was driving back, I turned off the a/c and the radio, and I listened. It's very loud in 3rd gear, and when I shifted to 5th, I could faintly hear the same whining/howling.

Also, when I was at the VW dealer, I saw one of the service writers from the Dodge dealership, so I spoke with him for a bit and am going to swing by the dealer tomorrow and go for a ride with their Viper tech. Small world.

 

[adg44]

As Fast Too said, it might be the powersteering pump

If it was the power steering pump, wouldn't you hear that regardless what gear you are in?

 

[adg44]

I went by the Dodge dealer today and took a ride with their Viper tech, and he said it is definitely gear whine. I'm taking it in next Monday, and most likely it will be getting a new transmission.

- Anthony

 

[ILLSMOQ]

I went by the Dodge dealer today and took a ride with their Viper tech, and he said it is definitely gear whine. I'm taking it in next Monday, and most likely it will be getting a new transmission.

- Anthony

might want to see if they will work with you on ordering the trans and then calling you when it comes in. my car was at the dealer for 2 months waiting on a transmission

 

[adg44]

Yes, I will see what they say tomorrow. If it is going to take a while, I will have them give me the car back until it comes in. So, I will ask that they don't remove my transmission until they have the new one in hand.

- Anthony

 

[adg44]

Got a call from the dealer, they said they talked to Chrysler and that the gear noise is normal. Chrysler said they replaced 300 units and the noise was still there, so they are calling it normal.

 

[PaViper]

Over the years I have found that if you drive a vehicle til something falls out, they have a lot less trouble admitting that something is wrong

 

[Newport Viper]

Over the years I have found that if you drive a vehicle til something falls out, they have a lot less trouble admitting that something is wrong

LOL! How true that is!

 

[bluesrt]

if your noise is only in certain gears and not in others while driving the same way in each gear,certain years are noisier than others in the gearbox,if its a noise that just appeard differantly than ur used to hearing,have a gearbox specialist go for a drive with you,most wont charge you to go for a drive.

 

[adg44]

Updating this thread... the noise is not normal.

I went to another dealership on Friday and I went for a ride with their tech, who also happens to own a 2003 Viper. I went around the block and he instantly heard the noise, and it was the first he had heard about it. Considering no one I have talked to has heard about this issue before, there is no way it can be normal. For something to be normal, it has to happen often. If I'm the only one saying anything, then that completely contradicts something being normal!

So, they are going to look into what they can do for me about getting this fixed. I heard from an unnamed source that there is a new third gear and countershaft available to fix this issue, as it is known that some 2003 transmissions from tremec had an issue with the way 3rd gear was machined and causes said gear whine. Now I just need to get Chrysler to admit it, hopefully before they go out of business.

I'll keep you guys posted on the status...

- Anthony

 

[Trans Doc]

03 is the first year for the one piece cluster T-56 transmission. I have not had any sent in for a 3rd gear whine. A lead or involute issue on the gear tooth profile could cause a noise.
Do you feel any vibration when you hear the gear noise ?

 

[albinonile]

chrysler not admitting there is a problem?---I dont beleive you. It is normal operation just like on my 04 that blew out big clouds of black smoke on start up. My local dealers service manager stood with me and watched this black smoke pour out of my tail pipe and said right to my face that is completely normal for a viper. Glad I found a new dealer for service on my 08

 

[adg44]

03 is the first year for the one piece cluster T-56 transmission. I have not had any sent in for a 3rd gear whine. A lead or involute issue on the gear tooth profile could cause a noise.
Do you feel any vibration when you hear the gear noise ?

No vibration at all, and it's only on decel. It is loudest between 3500 RPM - 2500 RPM.

 

[TMan]

Normal? Yea and when it finally breaks they will call it abuse and void your warranty. Don't trust them, while a small whine may be normal, a loud noise isn't normal.

 

[Venomiss]

No vibration at all, and it's only on decel. It is loudest between 3500 RPM - 2500 RPM.

Are you under warranty?

Hey, you haven't joined yetttttttttttttttttt?