I've got an 01 ram van 1500. When the transmission is in overdrive it whines. I changed the fluid and filter and it still does the same thing. Any suggestions?

 

You're looking at an internal problem that going to require disassembly. The two most common causes for whine are worn gears orbearings.

 

I've now been told that itcould bethe torque converter. Does this sound right that it would only do it in overdrive? I don't want to buy a new torque converter and find out that that isn't the problem.

 

If it was the TC, the noise would be there for every gear and the pitch would follow engine speed since the TC is on the tranny input shaft. If the pitch follows vehicle speed, the problem is with the output end of the tranny. But more importantly, if you only get the pitch in OD then the problem is in the OD mechanics, which is of course at the tranny output.

 

Couldn't bethe lock-up?

 

Nope, nothing to do with lockup.

 

It also does it in 2ndjust not as loud. And it is more of a rubbing sound. The fluid is still clean looking but foamy after driving. Shifts normal still and no noise if its in drive.
Would I be better off looking for a good used transmission instead of trying to fix this one?

 

Foaming is a sign of an overfilled transmission because the moving parts are immersed in the fluid, similar to juice in a blender.

About $1500 for a rebuild and $500 for a used (plus the time or labor to do it), choose your poison.

 

PLUS, either way, make sure ATF+3 or ATF+4 is used to refill the tranny if your doing any work on it.

 

What kind of damage will Dexron fluid cause?