Transmission problem?

I drive a 99 gl with the 3.5 and 71k miles. I love the car and would love it much better if it didn't have these stupid problems giving me worries. Recently, it developed a whining sound while shifting which goes away when the transmission is engaged in the next gear. This problem seems to have come all at once; it did not always do this. The transmission seems to be fine, since I am still able to go highway speeds and the car is still responsive. It also has no problem finding the next gear without delay. What could cause this whining sound? Is it the transmission? Anyone else have this problem? Can it be fixed without replacing the transmission? If so, is it worth fixing and can I safely ignore it?

Just so everyone knows, I changed the trans fluid, which is the second time I have done that since owning the car. I didn't think I would have to since I put on less than 15K since the last time. When the old fluid came out, there was a lot of metal flakes in it and I fear my torque converter is going. Any suggestions?

One other thing I would like to ask generally. My Intrigue seems to be operating at a higher temp that any other car I have driven previously. When it reaches the operating temp after 30 or so minutes of driving, it is usually about the halfway point on the gage or slightly above. Is this common? This could be why my tranny is having problems.

As far as your temp goes , my Intrigue operates at the same temp as yours. Right at the half way mark. I haven't had any problems yet so maybe it is not an issue. I hope everything works out with your tranny.

Today the transmission went at 74422 miles, 20000 since I paid about $15,000 for the car. Just under a dollar a mile. Two years of tlc wasted. I used to love the car. I treated it so well; washed and polished once a month, changed the fluids religiously and shunned driving harshly. Now the day the forsaken pos comes back from the shop is the day for sale signs go up in the windows. I find it disheartening to drive down the street and know every car I see is less problematic than mine. Good luck, Intrigue owners. Hope your lemon lasts longer than mine did.

A poorer but wiser Arcalaeus renouncing his loyalty to GM products.

Is the tranny gone completely or was it the torque converter?

Sorry about your loss!

It was the torque converter and a bearing. They told me the race failed sending bearings into the torque converter. The repair set me back about $2500. Anyone know particulars on the transmission? Is it made by Borg Warner or New Venture Gear? Is it the same as on the Grand Prix, Regal, etc? Oh, and I've cooled down a bit since last post. I will probably keep the car another year or so.

Arcalaeus, Hi, I have the same issue with my 99 Intrigue with 90,000. Took awesome care of it with fluids, etc. Mine was making a whinig noise then it was slipping then no gears at all. it was the planetary gear/bearing went out (torque conv). I heard GM knows they have parts in the trannies that aren't tempered correctly and end of shreading /exploding. I read numerous posts with metal shavings in the tranny and is all due to these parts. I would like to see what GM would do if you question them on it. Someone said try to get them pay for all/ some of it under their "goodwill" policy..... though I'm sure they will fight that till the end. It is a nice car just wish American cars weren't so faulty.


It was the torque converter and a bearing. They told me the race failed sending bearings into the torque converter. The repair set me back about $2500. Anyone know particulars on the transmission? Is it made by Borg Warner or New Venture Gear? Is it the same as on the Grand Prix, Regal, etc? Oh, and I've cooled down a bit since last post. I will probably keep the car another year or so.

Hey, Arcalaeus. To answer your question, the Intrigue uses the 4T65E 4-speed auto trans, which sees duty in the Century, Regal, Lumina, Montana, Grand Prix and a whole lot of GM products. My tranny has issues. If you spent that money out of pocket, you may as well keep the car until something else major happens, which hopefully won't be long. I bought an extended warranty for my car (good decision for GM products!) and plan to hold on to the car until the warranty expires. After that happens I could not afford this car due to all of its problems at a low mileage already. If you're curious as to other problems with this transmission, brouse some of the other forums (especially Century). My tranny has issues but I'm not sure what exactly is wrong.

I agree with you. This is my first and last GM product EVER. The only other car I owned was a 1995 Dodge Intrepid which was a dream until the end (177,301 miles :) ). Once the Century hauls off to the junkyard I will most likely go back to a Chrysler product.

Hey i have 01 intrigue ive invesdted only 500 but my warranty has over 5000 ivested in my car i bought it at 35999 and it has 50000 on it now getting close to 51000 and its a good car had to replace the gas cap 128 and the rest was tranny its an ok car i average 29 mpg and i dont drive nice either u cant baby the cars u have to be mean to them me and my dad once bought the same car year and miles brand new he babyed his and i didnt baby mine mine got 20000 more miles then his befor the car got traded because of problems he spent 5000 on his i spent 2000 minus oil changes on both so u just cant always baby your cars so be mean to them once in awhile k have a nice day