I have got one response from a 2nd gen owner...so I am still a little worried. Here is the thread

My concern:

In 1st gear, at low speeds (looking for a parking spot or something) I hear a fairly loud "whine" from the transmission. In second gear it is less prevelant, but still there.

Please tell me this is normal. Its my new ride, and I am a bit worried. Plus, I haven't owned a RWD 5 speed in quite some time.

Thanks in advance!

 

Just to post the obvious - have you checked your tranny fluid level yet?

 

I honestly havent had a chance. But, I will remove the fill bolt and make sure I can feel gear oil. Thanks.

 

Ya, give it a shot. It was just an idea. Hopefully that is all your problem is.

 

I have that whine in my 5spd on my 95 p/u. I've had it ever since I bought it (7 months ago) and everything is fine with the tranny. I have checked the oil level in the tranny and it's full.. I haven't changed the oil yet to see if maybe that fixes the problem. But I've put 12,000 mi. on the truck w/ no problems from the transmission.

hope this helps,

Eric

 

What exactly does the whine sound like?

My dad's 96 5-speed has a churping sound (like birds) when it is at idle (obviously a noisy bearing). I haven't noticed a whine in 1st or 2nd gear though.

 

Mine whines. I am due for a fluid change, which will help reduce the noise level. But even with brand new lubricant, it will whine. I have owned 4 Toyota Manual Transmission equipped vehicles and they all whined.

Every Manual Tranny I've ever driven has a whine, come to think of it.

My .02
Dr. Z

 

My second gear whines if no throttle is being applied. The pitch of the whine is directly related with the engine RPMs.

 

98,

I have a 98 SR5 5 speed...sorry, no whine. But by "whine", can you compare it to something other common-sounding noise?

bob

 

havn't noticed it with mine. guess i'll have to listen more closely though see if i have it too.

 

I have a 2000. It has a gear whine in 1st and 2nd also. As far as I know, it's normal. Someone explained it to me once, it has something to do with the gears and the gear ratios.

 

Thank for all the replies everyone. I feel a little bit better now.

When I say "whine" it doesnt sound abnormal per se, its just that I dont know what is normal. I would relate the sound to when my old automatic was in 4LO, its kind of a transfer case/low gear whine - but this is in H2 during slow driving.

Anyway, I checked the fluid and it was full. So I am going to do a fluid change - just to be on the safe side.

Once again, thanks for the replies. Maybe I should drive another V6 manual and see what it sounds like?

 

Hey SLC- The guy with the locked green 4Runner never called me back. I guess they thought I wasnt serious or I low-balled them too much. Oh well. Thanks for trying!

Whine: Its loudest at slower constant speeds in 1st gear, and as I accelerate it gets quieter and more high pitched. Almost like the sound a stereo would make with a bad ground - but its from the tranny area. 2nd gear is the same thing, but quieter, and so on.

I wonder if I should try synthetic MTF. Maybe Amsoil...