I recently drained my trans fluid and replaced the filter. Now when I put it in gear (drive or reverse) it whins. I don't see and difference in how it performs it seems to be fine. On a side note I am having a hard time getting a good reading on the filler dip stick. I put 4.5 qts. of fluid in after the drain and it shows full when in park but when I check it in neutral the fluid is kind all over the dipstick. There's fluid on one side or the other going up past the fill line but the other side of the dip stick has almost nothing on it and I have not been able to get a good reading on it. I am wondering if I am still too low to read it in neutral or over full? What do you guys see when in park?

 

The reading in park will be artificially high. You are probably still low....

 

HeyYou!
Thanks for the quick reply. I thought it might be low but also did not want to overfill (I'm the dummy that did the trans service and didn't install a drain plug ). I will add a little at a time until I start to get a consistant reading on the dipstick in neutral.

 

check fluid only with engine running and trans in neutral.

i have the same problems reading the dipstick. the bottom side shows full and the top side shows low. i don't know if this is right or not, but i fill it until the top side shows full. add fluid about 1/4 quart at a time so that if you do overfill it a little, it won't be too much.

i've got an external filter and cooler so it might take a little extra, but mine takes 6-7 quarts to refill.

 

OK. So I added fluid in neutral so that it is full now. Still have whining noise when in reverse. Not super loud but I can hear it when I go from neutral or park to reverse. Not sure if it was happening before the fluid change but I did not notice it. I did however notice it probably because it is now in my garage and everything sounds louder. Is this something I should be concerned about or am I paranoid?

 

I also have a 2002 ram with the 5.9 and 230000km on the original 45re tranny. She whines (although faintly) in reverse and in first gear. I have just assumed this to be by nature as the transmission has given me no signs of imminent failure. Knock on wood

 

adjust the front and rear bands

 

did the whining noise stop in Drive?
how much fluid did you add to get it full ?

some groaning noise in reverse when cold is normal for these trans.
if you're not having any other problems i wouldn't worry about it.

 

Well the whining is still there it is very faint in reverse and 1st I guess you could say it is a groaning type sound not like a bearing whine. Im gonna chock it up to normal and be happy I dont have any issues besides a faint groan.

Thanks guys!

 

Here is my '' two cents ''.

I bought my Dak last year and the tranny was '' whinning '' on first gear and in reverse. I didn't pay much attention until a certain sunday, i parked the pick-up in front of a restaurant for breakfast AND, when leaving the resto, the truck took off normaly for 20 feets, than it stopped very abruptly, like if the driving shaft plumitted into the pavement. I re-started the engine but no success with the tranny, i could push the truck forward but not in reverse, no oil-spill or evident broken parts. Towed the truck in a Transmisison garage and after dismanteling it, the read planetary gear carrier has broken in three (3) parts. The mecanic told me that some minor whinning is okay but don't hesitate, the planetary gear is only 200$ approx... and it is in perspective when the tranny reach 175,000 to 200,000km. The most cause is the cooler in front of the car that gets clogged, restraining the oil flow and the cooling. He cleanned it at the same time. i removed the portion of the cooler running into the radiator, plugged the connections and used only the external cooler BUT i increased the size by a great deal. ( twice as big).
Next time you hear your tranny whinning, listen to it, take it to a GOOD tranny specialist and make sure it's not the planetary carrier that is in the verge of failling.

Cheers.