AutoTransmition jingling noise

Sterps · 05:15 AM

2 weeks ago i bought a 96 328I with 137.000, Automatic Transmission , it was running perfect the transmission shifted very smooth, yesterday suddenly it started making jingling noise coming out the transmission at the aria before the A/T fluid pan engine side in the torque converter housing while its spinning. i can see from a 2''X 2" hole at the bottom, the jingling noise is coming from in there and while the engine is started and in park, is this a big problem, can it be fixed without removing the transmission? I am new to BMW but i have worked on Jaguar, Range Rover, Please Help.

Jeron · Jeron's Garage

Can you describe the location better? What is the AC fluid pan? Do you mean the A/T fluid pan on the tranny? Which side of the tranny, engine or drive shaft side?

Sterps · 06:41 PM

Sorry for the confusion, the metallic jingling noise is coming from inside where the Torque Converter is located while its spinning, the jingling noise changes as I rev up the engine and some times it stops and resumes.
The jingling noise is like sharp metallic sound as coins shaken together; to tinkle. It starts to jingle after the engine warms up.
The transmission shifts normal, drive, neutral, reverse.

Sterps · 04-28-2006, 06:36 PM

yes, i mean the A/T fluid pan on the tranny and at the engine side

LiquidBMW76 · 04-28-2006, 06:55 PM

You might have a bolt that came out rattling around in there.

LiquidBMW76 · 04-28-2006, 06:55 PM

You might have a bolt that came out rattling around in there.

Sterps · 05-02-2006, 05:12 AM

Thanks for the reply, here is an update. Last Saturday when i started it the jingling noise stopped, i drove the car for about 35 miles and it was normal no noise, then it started again and now it sounds like 2 parts are rubbing against each other jingling, and it still coming out from the Torque Converter aria, the noise increases as i rev up the engine. If the problem is the Torque Converter or something in the housing then the transmission will have to be removed. My question is can it be done, could i do it myself, do i need special tools, what is involved?, If i take it to the Dealer i know it will cost me probably more than what i paid for the car.

Jeron · Jeron's Garage

I've had my manual tranny out several times and you don't need any special tools but you may need a few new tools from the local store. Hopefully you can find a DIY or maybe the Bentley has the removal procedure.

May the noise could be a broken tooth off the starter or flywheel starting ring, This weekend a racer had to pull his tranny because of a similar noise. His turned out to be a alignment dowel pin that fell off when he installed the tranny a few days before. Of course yours couldn't be that but it does sound like something has come loose in the bell housing.

Sterps · 05-05-2006, 05:59 AM

Thanks for replying.
I am now considering taking it to transmission shop to diagnose the problem and hear what they say and cost. The noise is definitely coming out of the housing as the flywheel is spinning, i am not driving it any more thinking it will cause further damage, there is no problem shifting gears when i drive it so is it safe to say that the rest is OK and should not replace the transmission?, this is a GM made, Automatic, there are 2 holes on one side and i can see the head of a bolt in it, could they be for adjustment ?. The noise did change since it started so its possible that something got loose or broken off and is moving in there.

Jeron · Jeron's Garage

The bolt head you see could be an oil pan bolt. On a manual some of the pan bolts are behind the bell housing.