My 1994 940 Wagon (B230 NA) just started making some strange noises, apparently from the automatic transmission. I bought the car at 90K and it now has 107K. From the service records, the transmission fluid has been replaced every 30K, although I think it was not a complete flush - the shop just drained the pan and replaced the drained fluid.

The new noise varies with road speed and is not affected by braking, placing the transmission in neutral or changing gears. The noise is most noticeable at 25-45 mph, at higher speeds it is somewhat masked by increased tire and wind noise. My best description of the noise is that it is a like an electric grinder or maybe a table saw when it is cutting wood. The noise has a high pitched raspy metallic component, not like a gear whine. Sometimes it will suddenly get much louder for a couple of seconds and can then be easily heard even at 60 mph.

The transmission shifts fine and doesnt slip. Fluid level is correct. I dont notice any increased vehicle vibration - just the noise coming into the passenger compartment from the area of the shift lever.

Since the noise is high pitched and related to road speed, could it be something in the output shaft section of the transmission ? Or could it possibly be the center support bearing for the driveshaft ?

Any ideas would be welcome.

Thanks,

Mike

91 740 360K
93 940 200K
94 940 107K