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Car Forum / Saab Cars / September 2007

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96 9000CS - Whining sound from Automatic Trans.

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SilverSurfer - 06 Sep 2007 14:53 GMT
Good morning,

My 1996 9000CS has developed a whining sound that is coming from the
Automatic Transmission.
The car has 176000km, the transmission is original.
I know these cars have some auto trans. issues but but the only change I
have noticed is the downshifting is a little bit slower and rougher than
usual.  Otherwise the it functions normally.

Any assistance would be appreciated (especially links to sites dealing with
9000 Auto transmissions.)
Thank-you
Kirk R.
Piers - 11 Sep 2007 19:14 GMT
> Good morning,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Thank-you
> Kirk R.

Hi Kirk,

If you've not already done so, replace the transmission oil filter and
change the transmission oil (aka automatic transmission fluid or
Dexron). Without special equipment you can only get around 4 of the 8
litres out at any one time so if the fluid that comes out looks dirty or
dark (should be pinkish-red) run the car for a few miles and change some
more (with every change you are diluting the old oil).

With the last change add some "Lubegard Red" to the oil - that's the
only (as far as I know) additive that Saab ever endorsed for this
transmission. It was prescribed for a particular whine in the
transmission. If you go to www.lubegard.com you can find a copy of the
Saab bulletin.

Two other more time consuming but fairly inexpensive fixes are failing
governor seals (can be replaced without removing the trans) and a broken
accumulator spring in the valve body (again this can be replaced in situ).

Beyond those, I'm not sure, other than taking the car to a specialist
who knows ZF transmissions. Where are you in the world, Canada?

Hope this helps.

Piers
SilverSurfer - 12 Sep 2007 14:09 GMT
>> Good morning,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
> Piers

Hi Piers,
I am located in London, Ontario, Canada.
I did take the car to the local SAAB dealer, they immediately told me to
replace the transmission. ($6000.00 - 7000.00)
(Dealer did not inspect, just listened to the noise.)
As I mentioned in the first post, the transmission does function as it
should.

I'm going to try your suggestions, starting with the ATF  and filter change.
If it turns out to need replacing I may just have it rebuilt.
I have also been on the lookout for a used tranny, but seem to be hard to
find.

Thanks for the response,

Kirk,
Piers - 12 Sep 2007 17:39 GMT
>> Piers
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Kirk,

Hi Kirk,

Since you're on that side of "the pond" you could call Eriksson
Industries in Connecticut (US) as they are ZF experts who can supply
parts - even a rebuilt transmission - and advice (if it comes to more
than an oil and filter change). Their website is
http://erikssonindustries.com/. I live in the UK and bought a spring kit
from them as their prices are good and they ship internationally. I
believe Eriksson's supply www.thesaabsite.com with their rebuilt
transmissions and so it's worth comparing both places for a fully
delivered price if you end up going that route. You can probably get
Lubegard locally or mail order from www.eeuroparts.com in the US.

But yes, first have a look at the state of the oil, then replace the
filter and change the oil (if it looked OK add some Lubegard now, if it
was very dirty do a couple more oil changes first). Check to see if the
old filter is clogged. There's a magnet down there in the cover that you
remove to access the filter that will probably have some fine magnetic
sludge on it, which is fairly normal - chunks of anything in that area
is a potential cause for concern. Certainly use a new filter and o-rings
and don't be tempted to try to reuse the old one - it's just not worth it!

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Piers
SilverSurfer - 18 Sep 2007 16:51 GMT
>>> Piers
>>
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
>
> Piers

UPDATE
I took the car to a transmission shop that had some experience with ZF
transmissions.  They found metal filings in the fluid.  They also put a
listening device on the trans. itself and were able to determine the sound
was coming the area closest to the driver's side front wheel.
Piers - 20 Sep 2007 09:59 GMT
> UPDATE
> I took the car to a transmission shop that had some experience with ZF
> transmissions.  They found metal filings in the fluid.  They also put a
> listening device on the trans. itself and were able to determine the sound
> was coming the area closest to the driver's side front wheel.

Thanks for the update Kirk.

At this point I'd drop in a small bottle of Lubegard Red and see what
happens to the noise. The metal filings could indicate a bigger problem
but it would depend on how many they found and how big they were.

The Lubegard will either work or it won't (you'll know within a few
minutes) and can't do any harm. If it cures the whine then flush as much
fluid out as possible (do a few changes or get a shop to flush it
through) to get rid of the remaining filings and replace the filter
(you'll lose the "test" Lubegard you put in so be ready to buy another
bottle!)

And if you can, let us know the result.

Piers
 
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