I am beginning to notice that when I accelerate from stop my tranny will make a "clunk" sound in the first gear. Every once in a while I'll get it when I shift from Drive to Reverse. Is this normal/abnormal for a transmission? My car is a 1999, and it has 98,800 miles on it.

 

My 01TL has always "clunked" when shifting from reverse to drive. Its normal. Be sure you come to complete stop before shfting direction.

 

Well, it used to be that I would sometimes hear the "clunk" when shifting from P to R in the morning (after it sits overnight). Now, I not only get this scenario at times, but I also experience the "clunk" as soon as I depress the accelerator from stop (in the first gear). This happens almost everytime I take off from a stop sign, traffic light, etc. Shifts fine, but everytime I hear it "clunk" from the inside of the car I keep thinking of some mechanical part internally that isn't too happy. I am just curious to know if I should have this checked, or if I should just ride with it until it decides (or not decides) to quit working? The P to R scenario has been going on for a while (although it doesn't always happen), but the other scenario has been persistant for about two weeks or so now.

 

We all know the characteristics of a faulty 5-speed transmission on the 00-03 TL models, but does anyone know the characteristics of a faulty 4-speed transmission on the 1999 models? Just something I would like to be aware for any potential future situations that may arise. Thanks!

 

My 99' has exactly same problem. I hope this isn't meaning of dead of tranny

 

Hi, this is my first post on the site, but I have been hanging around reading up on the TLs for awhile. I bought a 2004 about 2 weeks ago and I have this exact same problem with a "clunk/click" noise coming from the front of the car. It happens almost everytime i'm starting to accel from a stop. Its rather annoying when the windows are down and I dont have my radio up high enough to drown it out. Any thoughts on what this might be? This does not sound normal to me NOT like what other people have been writing in about the ABS self Check click only happening once when they start/backout the car.

I had my car in for a bunch of rattles (seat belts-parts on order, driver window, glove compartment, rear deck/speakers) over the past two days and they seemed to fix most of them. I also had them check out the clicking as well and the mechanic's logic was that there was rocks in the tires but when I drove it home it was still doing it.. So, clearly he had no clue.

Any comments would be appreciated.