Four speed transmission noise when cold

Tiny
BSWEENYMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 3.3L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 256,000 MILES
Just got this car from my dad (GLE model. I immediately noticed a noise when I drive it a mile it goes away. I took it to my personal mechanic and he did a drain and fill on the transmission. He noted that the fluid was like oil very dark, when he refiled it I immediately had issues driving in reverse but that went away when the fluid circulated. In the following weeks I had some slipping into first and that noise when I start to drive the car cold. So I took it to a transmission expert and he told me there is nothing wrong with the transmission, but it was a quart low on fluid. The following day I took it to get topped off. Good news no more slipping and the noise is less noticeable and only lasts about five minutes only when the engine is cold. I have tried self diagnosing by driving with the noise then slamming the car in neutral and even killing the car, but the noise goes away but I can hear it a little when revving the engine in neutral, it seems the noise is only when I accelerate. Also I can get it to make the noise if I am in gear and have my foot on the brakes and gas at the same time. I can also hear it a little in neutral. Note: The transmission has a lifetime permanent no serviceable filter that you have to remove the transmission to replace it. I am planning to do another drain and fill, contemplating using Lucus transmission fix? I have a video below, please help.

Update: Okay, so this morning I put it into drive and started driving and there was the noise so I hit the gas then put it in neutral and hit the gas, the noise was less obvious but it was still present but much quieter. So I put it in park and hit the gas, and the noise was there but very faint. Seems like the car driving makes it louder, but when the engine is warm the noise goes away completely.
Thursday, August 23rd, 2018 AT 1:05 AM

37 Replies

Tiny
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So, I have replaced the transmission fluid twice and tomorrow I am going to add Lucas Transmission Fix, this forum said it will take two days for a response but I have no answer yet. I asked my friends for help and they said it sounds like the fluid needs to warm up.
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 12:56 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Thanks for the video. Sorry for the slow response. Did you not confirm your membership? We only got notified about your second entry? Anyway that noise is wild. It sounds like the starter pinion gear is still engaged in the flex plate which mean you need a new starter. Were you driving the car in the video?

Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing he job and diagrams below to show you what it will be like for your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Remove the starter to see if the pinion gear is sucked back into the motor.

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 11:14 AM
Tiny
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I had the phone in the engine by the air box, and yes I was driving. Thank you for your response. How do I test if that is the issue?
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 11:49 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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That is a good one and a first on the video, lol. Remove the starter to see if the pinion gear is sucked back into the motor. If the gear just flops back and forth without resistance the starter is bad. Please take a video of the starter with you trying to move the gear back and forth on the shaft. Please let me know.
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Thursday, August 30th, 2018 AT 9:45 AM
Tiny
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Okay, I cannot seem to find the starter, but the noise is not constant, it only makes the noise when driving not stopped and not revving the engine. Once the engine starts warming up the noise goes away. The fluid on the transmission is full and I added Lucas stop slip and that seemed to stop the occasional slip.
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Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 AT 12:50 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, that is what a broken starter Bendix spring does, I think it is worth a look. The starter is located between the engine and transmission. The only other thing I can think of that would make that noise what be a broken flex plate. I will feature this post to our other experts to see if they have heard this noise before. Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 AT 9:48 AM
Tiny
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Thank you so much Ken.
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Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 AT 10:02 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
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Add a pint of STP to the motor oil and listen if the noise gets any quieter at all. Because I am leaning toward a crankshaft main bearing that is making that noise. If the noise gets quieter with that really thick STP in in engine, that it is the engine, not the transmission you should be concerned about and no I would not use any Lucas or any other treatment in the transmission until you are absolutely sure you know what it is supposed to fix and even in that case I do not think I would add anything just find out first what it is. The STP is not to fix anything, just a test.
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Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 AT 10:33 AM
Tiny
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The transmission was slightly slipping but the Lucas fixed that issue.
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+1
Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
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I will try it today, the oil treatment right?
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Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
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Add a pint of STP to the motor oil and listen if the noise gets any quieter. Or you can just try a pint of straight 50 weight motor oil.
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Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
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I will, thank you. The only problem is that the noise goes away quickly, on a very cold morning it lasts a little longer but on a hot day it is not noticeable at all, the car was in Ventura and has salt build up under the car, that is why I was thinking Ken was on to something, but I am willing to give anything a try. I love my dad and I want to take care of this car.
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Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 AT 10:47 AM
Tiny
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This is a new video. I have my car in drive with my foot on the brake and gas at the same. You can see the rpm's in the shot. I am not moving internationally. I hope this helps you.
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Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I am Danny.

Can you make a video of just revving the engine with car in neutral or park? Thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 2:03 AM
Tiny
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There is no noise it is silent in park or neutral. The noise you hear is only when in gear even reverse, only with load like accelerating or holding the brake and gas at the same time. I have changed the fluids and added Lucas Transmission Fix.
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 2:37 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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It is not the starter that for sure. I am wondering if the engine mounts are in good shape. Can you lift the hood when you are doing the same test to see if the engine moves excessively? If not I am thinking the flex plate is cracked and if not something inside the transmission or torque converter is doing it. Here is a video of the front wheel drive transmission coming out a very similar job to what you will need to do:

https://youtu.be/6N6b5F2ChyE

The videos really help BTW. :)

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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 9:52 AM
Tiny
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You think the engine mounts would be the issue. I hear knocking around in the engine compartment when I am driving over bumps. My dad had the shocks and ball joints replaced not to long ago, plus when I was under the car doing the drain and fill I noticed one was so flat it was almost on the metal. Plus the engine moves when I shift into drive and reverse slightly. But would that cause that noise?
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
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I listened to the noise from what I could hear I would check the shields around engine hitting engine balancer or maybe a shield on transmission. I do not have pictures however. Also, check for loose torque converter bolts/nuts they can cause knocking as well as scraping noises if any are loose use Loctite or Permatex blue prior to reinstalling parts. It is the same company. Then to check broken engine mounts brake torque engine in drive engine will lift far if that is the problem make sure no one is around or in garage when you do this in case car takes off. Do the same in reverse the engine will jump right away not just go up if mount is broken. Finally as Ken says it may be a broken flex plate which transmission will have to come out if it is or if you can find someone with a flex camera that can show it.
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 12:04 PM
Tiny
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I have a lot to check out. I will get back to you with information.
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
BSWEENYMAN
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Nothing is broken, I put a half quart over the full line on the transmission and it is not slipping anymore but it still starts driving with the noise but it goes away.
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Thursday, September 13th, 2018 AT 2:08 AM

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