There is a distinct high pitched whine when started the 98 Caraven. Seems to go away after thing warm up. Would a transmission fluid change help any.
About 60 thousand since the last trany work.

Sure wouldn't hurt. It's overdue at 60K. Make sure you use ATF4. While you're at it change the power steering fluid too. The PS is infamous for creating a whine.

I have to agree with RIP. You may have a partially blocked filter. Make sure you only use ATF+4 otherwise you may damage the transmission.

I also have the whine going on my 3sp '94 3L. It sounds like an object touching/rubbing a spinning component, does it even in park bliping the gas.

Bombergp, it sounds like you may have a problem with the front pump in your transmission. This sound is different from a whine and if it does it in park then you may want to get it checked out. If it is the pump a tranny rebuild or replacement is the only recourse to fix it.

A heads up on cost. I had a leaking fwd pump seal. Cost $700 to replace only the seal. 96GC

Thanks GTP DAD/RIP. Strange happenings with this trans, last week it suddenly wouldn't shift out of 1st for 5mi./15 min driving then work ok with whine noise. 3 days later I'm about to go to trans shop & while warming it up it drives off no problem or noise,- eh, actually on start up in park it made like gravel rolling in can sound briefly. I was going to try another fluid/filt change, you think it won't help?

bombergp - At worse you'll waste 20-30 bucks if you DIY. If I had a possible grand plus bill in my future I would try anything in reason to avoid it. A fluid/filter change is well within reason. It's the first move anyone should make before you resign yourself to....that unmentionable shop.

Changed atf3 fluid/filt yet again tonight, on test drive it started out quiet, pulling away w/full torque, took it easy, gentle speeds, no fan/music on etc,.. I'm driving on suburban side steets, for 10min./5mi., then while pulling away from stop the whine comes back and can't shift to 2nd, it slows won't pull 1st gear! coast to stop, move shift lever D-N-R-N-D no jerk engagement! More P-R-N-D-N-R-N-D and nothin! I shut it off & wait 5min., restart and it goes but only 1 1/2 blocks! I stoped & waited 2 more times to get it home! Maybe cause I didn't change fluid/filt soon enough its just filled with crud? I put in a second magnet, rare earth type, got plenty of fuzz, no chips. Got to find another filter and change again, I'll let ya know what happens.

Unfortunately, this sounds terminal. There may be a possibility that the trans computer has gone but I don't think that is the case. You are probably
looking at a tranny replacement or rebuild.