97 ranger 2wd , automatic transmission,, transmission just started a loud whining noice when i put it in gear , does not make the noise while in park or neutral, also noticed the od light on dash was flashing , cut the truck off and started it back up and the od light has went off on the dash but transmission still has a loud whining noise when i put it into gear , any thoughts on the problem or where to start looking ?

 

Welcome to the forum

You have a 4R44E automatic

No, no one can diagnose an automatic with provided information
Flashing OD OFF light means the Computer will have set some transmission codes, and yes, it resets with key off and then on again, but will flash again if computer sees the same or more transmission issues

Some auto parts stores will have OBD2 code readers that can read transmission code, not all can, and they will read your codes for free
You need to get the codes, WRITE THEM DOWN, exact codes are needed, no "I think it was.............", lol

Most codes are seen here, P0700 to P0804 are the transmission codes, but there are more: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...trouble_codes/

Scroll down to the P0700 codes and you will see why you need EXACT Code numbers

 

Yea i call a transmission shop and they saying $4.000 to rebuild transmission, truck has a lot of sentimantal valve but aint woth over $1.500 . It shifts fine but don’t want to drive it with the whining ,sounds like the pump is whining and only does it when i put it in gear

 

Rebuilt 4R44E trans is $2,000 maybe, 4 to 6 hours to swap it, 4 hours in a shop with a lift and transmission jack, 6 hours in a driveway with a jack
$4,000 is outrageous

And it could be the torque converter as well, so as said can not diagnose with information provided


And repair cost is NEVER about the value of the vehicle
It is about what it will cost you to drive the vehicle over the next, say 3 years, 36 months
And if you could get another vehicle that you like for that same cost

There are a few assumption YOU have to do, because YOU are there
Beside the transmission issue is the vehicle in good driving condition, will it run 3 years without another major repair?

Say the rebuilt trans was installed for $2,500, with 2 year warranty, some are 3 year
So your cost to drive 3 more years would be $69/month
Not much out there for $69/month, well that you know would be OK for 3 years, lol

You have to buy tires and brakes and oil changes, ect..............those are all cost per month expenses to operate any vehicle over time
Rebuilt trans is no different, or rebuilt engine

But only YOU know the current condition to make the call

And its not worth $1,500......................with a bad transmission, lol

 

All good advise given. Have you started with the basics? Have you checked the transmission fluid level when hot idling in park on level ground?

 

i checked the fluid with the truck cold and off and the fluid was way up past the full make , i will check it again but this time like you suggested, i did notice that while the truck was running and i was going from reverse and drive then in park it still had a whining to it when i put it in park but the whining didn’t last but just a second after i put it in park

 

The dipstick will actually say on it to check it hot idling in park, on level ground for obvious reasons. Good Luck