Whining w/acceleration and deceleration in 1st and 2nd gear

Steek
Tue, 11 Oct 2016 16:09:18 +0000
Maintenance/Repairs

I have a 2006 Chevy Malibu Max with automatic transmission, 129,000 miles. It’s got a higher pitched whine that increases as I accelerate between first and second gear and between 2nd and 3rd. I can’t hear once it’s in 3rd gear. It sounds like an RC car or early video game race car sound. I can hear it winding down as I slow down through those gears. It’s also audible when the car is in neutral or park, but not then the brakes are fully applied. I can’t really hear it in reverse.

I bought it used with 65,000 miles on it. I’m not sure what was done before that as far as maintenance/preventative maint. I did get a transmission flush three years ago (sorry, don’t know the mileage at that time). I don’t think this will impact things in any way, but I just changed the spark plugs and wires a few weeks ago.

It has a rough/shuddery idle (but doesn’t feel like it’s goign to stall out) and seems to be riding rougher than usual lately. I feel it more in the seat/overall car vibrations than through the steering wheel.

Any ideas? Transmission Oil Pump? Planetary Gear Set? I was really hoping to not have an expensive repair, but I am fearing the worst.

3 posts - 3 participants