Bad transmission noise. mp3 file attatched. Need input

[MattM20]

after 400miles of mostly highway driving, my transmission started making a strange noise. the normal 1st & 2nd gear whine was alot louder than usual and there was a awful, almost light grinding, noise between 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. i know my clutch is on its way out and i was thinking there is a slight chance it isnt disengaging all the way, causing the extra friction betweet shifts. also, with the engine off, the car in first, and my foot all the way in on the clutch, if i let the car roll i could hear and feel something barely rotating as if first gear was trying to engage and bring the car to a stop. however, the car sounds perfectly normal in 4th and 5th gears, and the clutch is working normally as far as i can tell. i had a similar problem with the diff a couple months ago, and changing the fluid made a huge improvement, so for that reason and becuase of jordan's input, i now think that the transmission is running very low on fluid. i will take care of it immediately if that is the case.

here's a sound clip for you to hear for your self. its not the best quality, but its obvious what the problem is. what you'll hear is the transmission going from 1st to 2nd, then 2nd to 3rd shifting around 2700rpm.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/Media/Sounds/shift.mp3

thanks to jordan for hosting the sound clip.

[BS87]

I personally do not have a clue, but look on the bright side. If you can't figure it out, in the mean time just tell the ricer's its your turbo. :P

[MattM20]

bump

[kylebes1]

how is the fluid level?

[drifty30]

its the whining noise you're concerned about right?
What are the thumps?
the thumps could be your throwout bearing giving out and rumbling.
The whining sounds exactly like straight cut gears ( like race/rally cars)
CHECK YOUR FLUID.
I want my transmission to make that noise..... but on purpose. :-)
gawd i love the sound of straight cut gears.

Wouldn't hurt to bleed your clutch too just to make sure its actually separating from the flywheel far enough.

[iXer]

Check the lower oil plug on the tranny for metal debris (the plug is magnetic).

/Mattias

[MattM20]

Check the lower oil plug on the tranny for metal debris (the plug is magnetic).

/Mattias

yes i will deffinately do that if i have to change the fluid.

drifty30, yes its the loud whining sound and especially the sound between shifts. the thumps are just the camera rattling in the little compartment under the center console. i do have about 1"-1.25" of dead zone at the top of the clutch pedal, and the engagement point seems pretty high (and seems to gradually get higher); i know i'm due for a new clutch but was hoping to make it last until spring.

thank you for the help. changing the tranny fluid and bleeding the clutch will be on my immediate to-do list. and hopefully i dont find metal chunks in whats left of my old fluid

[drifty30]

if you were running out of fluid, i wouldn't think your tranny has much life left. I'd start looking for a new one. Maybe one that has a clutch with it.