I have a 1997 Dodge van, 1500 series with the 8.2 liter V8 . It has 83,000 miles on the original automatic transmission which works fine. The fluid is relatively clean, doesn't smell burnt, and was changed at 55,000 miles. I haven't been driving it much lately. Sometimes it will sit for a week or two. After sitting unused for a while the transmission makes a whining sound, only when in reverse. The noise disappears after a few miles of driving but returns when the van sits without being used for a week or so. Can anyone tell me why this is happening, if it's serious, and if there's any way to fix it?
Thanks

 

Seems like I've heard this before,and IIRC, I believe a filter/fluid change may be in order, again. Although you say it goes away when it's warmed up, you might just check the filter and make sure it's not loose.

 

might just be the transmission having straight cut reverse gears. my toyota will make the same wine in reverse, but thats because the reverse gear is straight cut, not spiraled like the rest of the gears.

unless it becomes a problem and your van doesnt shift into reverse then it would be a problem. but now I doubt there is a problem

 

Doug, You may want to have that problem looked at. I am no expert but I have a 2001 ram 1500 4x4 and my tranny was whinning like yours in reverse. I checked the fluid and it was down a little maybe not even a half quart. I was coming home from work the other day and I lost all my gears, reverse, 1st, 2nd and drive. It was like some reached over and put it in neutral and I only have 69000 miles in it. So now I am looking at putting in a new tranny.