[Todem]

Hey Everyone,

This is my first post on the site, glad to be part of the Celica Crew. I'm a bit of a newbie, but huge on research. I've researched this issue as best as I could with no prevail, so here goes:

I have a 00' Celica GT-S Automatic with Tiptronic. Earlier this month a whine-like sound occurred. The Whine is present while idling and becomes worse when accelerating. Just today, I went into a mechanic who did a quick inspection of the car. They popped the hood, listened, and no whine sound which was odd. I drove the car back to the front of the shop (It Whined on the way there) threw it in park, and the whine was clear to be only near the front left Wheel.
The mechanic then told me that some kind of transmission pump was going out, and would MOST likely require a transmission rebuild. Called the Dealer, they're asking for $3,550 for a new one. Not sure if rebuilding this transmission is a good idea, unless I'm missing something....

Aside from this, all I can say is:

While in Auto Mode:
* When accelerating lightly, the cars RPM's go up, the car barely moves, then bumps forward to move.
* Slight Bump here and there when shifting gears (D->R R->D P->R P->D)

M-Mode:
* There are no issues from what I've observed. The gears shift smoothly 1-4, If any shifting lag, its VERY slight.

I've only had the car for 3 months, and I don't push the car to its limit. I didn't think this to be a major issue until the mechanic uttered those words, and now i'm on edge.
Any ideas on what may be wrong?

Thanks!​

 

[Jose_CeliGTS]

If you have to get rid of the transmission pop in a manual you won't regret it.

 

[Todem]

I thought about that as a worst case scenario. Hopefully I wont have to

If you have to get rid of the transmission pop in a manual you won't regret it.

 

[Jose_CeliGTS]

But yeah man it seems like your transmission pumped broke. Idk if you need a rebuild for that. I think you just need to get a new pump but I don't know if anything else got damaged but it could be the shop trying to steal your money. Go to aanother shop and tell them you think your transmission pump is broken how much will it be to fix it and see what they tell you, it will make you seem like you already know about cars so they will try less to scam you.

 

[CELICA581]

It is the transmission I had this happen a year ago it started with the whining then as time went by I lost reverse then the rest you might have 1-3 months before the gears go out depends on how much you drive what I did was get a Jdm tranny from eBay about $500 with 50k an 1yr warranty swapped in an haven't had a issue since

 

[Todem]

For sure, Ill have them check that out tomorrow.

Not sure if it may have contributed, but the car does have a minor leak. Checked the transmission fluid and Engine Oil levels today, and they appear level. The temp never goes too high.

I'm told It's around the time for me to change the Trans Fluids, but it doesn't appear to need to be changed on an ASAP basis. No signs of burning color or smell. The color is on the slightly darker hue of brown.

CELICA581 - Ahh geez, I was afraid of this

Did you replace it yourself or take it in to be replaced?
Auto GT-S Tip as well?

 

[CELICA581]

Yeah GTS- Trip an yeah did it my self a lot cheaper don't do a tranny flush just gonna waste more money

 

[Todem]

I had no idea they sold tip trannys on Ebay, searching now with no luck.

I'm not too familiar with installations on transmissions. How long did it take you to install yours. Double checking, yours still have the same transmission specs as before the swap right?

Thanks again!

 

[CELICA581]

Search it as the tranny code

 

[CELICA581]

Took about 16hrs total An yes to the specs

 

[Stiffler_83]

id buy a gallon of atf and a filter if it has one and change those items before stumping up the cash for a replacement. if its just started it might just go away

 

[CELICA581]

Did this to mine an all it did was make the whine a lil quieter for a couple hours then went back to how it was .

 

[Todem]

Update

Got the engine mounts done, thought that MIGHT be an issue that would have caused the whine, but unfortunately it wasn't.

I spoke with the mechanic a while, he got to know me, and replaced all 4 engine mounts for a huge price difference from the original he quoted, gave me 20 dollars for gas (Even though I didnt need it) and said if I ever needed money, to go to him. You can imagine my reaction.

Anyway, I explained to him why this issue was so important, he asked questions, and explained that he highly doubts the trans is the issue. How would I ask for him to check something like this?

I'm not sure where to go from there, but I'm still on high alert. Gears not slipping, Reverse is perfect, M-Mode not blinking and shifts with no delay now, minor bumps seem typical for a car this old. It's just the whine during idle and even more so during acceleration.

Ill have to take pics soon. Thanks again for the help guys!

 

[Todem]

Another Update

My Poor Celi whines even louder now. Transmission still works like a charm occassional bumps, no grinding. so I'm doubting thats it.

Again, at idle I only hear it from the Front left wheel, cant hear the whine anywhere else. When accelerating, it gets louder and I cant hear it unless the sound bounces off of a wall or another car. Finding the source that way is unreliable. The noise is kinda driving me nuts, heads turning not at my car, but to the sound it makes.

Has anyone else had this whine issue? Ideas?​

 

[dentman]

I suggest from a DIY point of view, that by putting the car up on a hoist (or elevated on four tall jack stands) and test running it in the way you describe, anyone with a mechanic's stethoscope can pinpoint the general area of your whining noise.
Because it whines at idle, it does seem like an internal transmission part (not an axle or wheel bearing noise). It could be a pump or a input shaft bearing. A stethoscope test will identify the noise location, then you can decide what to do if it indeed is coming from inside the transmission.

BTW: According to my garage owner mechanic buddy, book time to remove and replace an automatic transmission on this car is ~8.0 hrs. If you can get a low mileage, used one, it will be the cheapest, non-warrantied option.

My 2 non-professional cents. Hope this helps.
Dentman

 

[wayne0]

My Poor Celi whines even louder now. Transmission still works like a charm occassional bumps, no grinding. so I'm doubting thats it.

Again, at idle I only hear it from the Front left wheel, cant hear the whine anywhere else. When accelerating, it gets louder and I cant hear it unless the sound bounces off of a wall or another car. Finding the source that way is unreliable. The noise is kinda driving me nuts, heads turning not at my car, but to the sound it makes.

Has anyone else had this whine issue? Ideas?​

Are you SURE the whine is the tranny?? Not an idler pulley or something else?

 

[GSBoek]

I think it's the butler.....it is the butler.

Now seriously, any noise that wasn't normally there is reason for concern, specially when it gets louder. You got some decent suggestions, try to pinpoint the general area of the noise. The fact that you say it's mostly on the left side is the most likely give away that it's coming from the transmission.

 

[Todem]

Update Again

Took my Celi in to get diagnosed on the issue:

The mechanic claims:
* The engine Idles high - Could be as simple as the throttle body he says
* The Whine IS because of the transmission - The Trans fluid was burned which indicated overheating. He wanted to drain the trans and expected to see shavings of metal, but I have to do this another time.

He strongly claims that overriding the automatic system with the Tiptronic feature causes this to happen/accelerate the process, even threw in the comment that they love cars with this feature because they bring in the money. (Didn't know how to feel on this). Suggested that I should have gotten a stick instead of a Tip. Weighed the outcomes on this way before getting the car, had my reasons for this.

I've studied shifting on this car like crazy, noticed a lot of things and only confused on a few. Only issue I have with the Auto Shifting is that it doesnt DOWNSHIFT when I slow down. Turning corners and expecting to keep up with traffic starting at 15 mph on 4th gear is unbearable. Full stop needed to get the car back to 1st.

In summary: I'm looking at about 4k+ for repairs. Engines got a tick noise, which I automatically assume is gonna cost. Trans swap is very costly from what I hear. Money's tight, and I hope to keep this car in the long run. I admit I'm not very knowledgeable on cars, but learning as I go. Any Suggestions? What would you do?

Thanks again for helping out guys!​

 

[dentman]

How many miles are on the car? Is it in good overall shape or also in disrepair?
Do you want a part with a warranty for peace of mind (new or rebuilt) or can you live with taking a chance on a used part from a bone yard?
The simplest fix is to replace the transmission with another of the same. The mechanic cost is the same with a new or used part unless they have to spend time sourcing the part.
From a cost point of view, I would only worry about fixing the transmission for now.

I suggest you shop around for a used automatic transmission. Call a few scrap yards. Perhaps someone in the Parts for Sale section of this website has a good used one in your area and will cut you a deal. They may even help you swap it out if you ask.

Hope this helps. Good luck.
Dentman