2004 2500HD Transmission/Dash Noise

khopper · March 18, 2005

I have a 2004 GMC HD 4x4 with 6.0 and auto tranny, around 7K miles. When starting from a stop I sometimes hear a noise that can be somewhat loud, other times not so loud or it doesn't happen at all. The noise sounds like an old car with a speedometer cable that is about to go out. It last for just a few seconds and just between first and second gear. I do not hear any noises when stopped. The noise does sound like it is coming from the dash area. On some occasions but not all if I place my hand on the 4x4 shifter on the floor it seems to change or dampen the noise but not always. The dealer heard the noise when it was acting not so loud and he did some research and said it might be some sort of stepper motor in the dash and a replacement fix was supposed to be out in May 05. I have no idea what he's talking about with the stepper motor and I wasn't able to clarify before he had to go into some meeting. Any help on this would be appreciated.

GM-Tech · March 18, 2005

We have AC actuators that make a variety of noises, though I don't see how that would be related to the gear you're in, accelerating, etc. There are also stepper motors in the cluster that make a variety of noises, and some of them can be real noisy. I don't see these these only making noise under the parameters you state, though possible.

Seems to me we had a bulletin or PI on the 4wd shifter buzzing or rattling that would go away if you held it. I would think this noise would go away each time you put your hand on it, not just sometimes. We had one of these and you could definitely tell it was coming from the shifter. There was no doubt about. I searched our service information and could not come up with it. I'm trying to remember where I saw that and will keep looking.

As for something coming out in May 2005... I've never seen that specific information for something so far into the future. Maybe something like "1st quarter of 2005" but even that is farther away than I've ever heard of getting information on an upcoming fix.

khopper · March 19, 2005

We have AC actuators that make a variety of noises, though I don't see how that would be related to the gear you're in, accelerating, etc. There are also stepper motors in the cluster that make a variety of noises, and some of them can be real noisy. I don't see these these only making noise under the parameters you state, though possible.

Seems to me we had a bulletin or PI on the 4wd shifter buzzing or rattling that would go away if you held it. I would think this noise would go away each time you put your hand on it, not just sometimes. We had one of these and you could definitely tell it was coming from the shifter. There was no doubt about. I searched our service information and could not come up with it. I'm trying to remember where I saw that and will keep looking.

As for something coming out in May 2005... I've never seen that specific information for something so far into the future. Maybe something like "1st quarter of 2005" but even that is farther away than I've ever heard of getting information on an upcoming fix.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The stepper motors in the cluster sound the closest to what the service manager was talking about. He said that if they replaced the existing with the same if would most likely come back and that GM said a new design was expected to be out in May. He may have said May to give some extra time if it was the first quarter. I originally had it to the dealer in late January. I appreciate you checking. The more I think about it I may have two issues because holding the shifter seems to work when the noise is much softer. I will experiment tomorrow and see.

GM-Tech · March 19, 2005

As for something coming out in May 2005...

Ooops. I think I'm losing my mind. I'm reading May 2005 and I'm thinking that's next year!

So, everything I said about that... Forget it.

khopper · March 24, 2005

As for something coming out in May 2005...

Ooops. I think I'm losing my mind. I'm reading May 2005 and I'm thinking that's next year!

So, everything I said about that... Forget it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Any luck with the service bulletin for the floor mounted shifter? Thanks

GM-Tech · March 24, 2005

Any luck with the service bulletin for the floor mounted shifter? Thanks

No, but I did run across something that may be more likely. And it says you may hear/feel it in the floor/gas pedal, but I think it's likely it might sound like it's coming from the dash too, since the booster is mounted to the bulkhead and may transmit this noise through that.

It's important to note that this would occur only ONE TIME after you start the vehicle. The test would not run again until you have shut off and restarted the truck, at which time it would occur again.

------------------------------

Info - Buzz Noise or Vibration Felt in Floor or Throttle Pedal at Approximately 16 km/h (10 mph) or During 1-2 Upshift #03-07-30-032 - (Jul 22, 2003)

2003-2004 GMC Sierra

Some customers may notice a buzz noise or feel a vibration in the floor or throttle pedal at speeds of approximately 16 km/h (10 mph). It may also be noticed during a 1-2 upshift.

This buzz or vibration may be a result of the supplemental brake assist (SBA) diagnostic test. (The SBA is mounted on the brake vacuum booster and creates vacuum for the brake booster in case of a vacuum loss or low vacuum to the brake booster.) The test occurs at 16 km/h (10 mph) after initial engine start-up. Normally, the test will not run again until the next engine start-up. Customers may believe that this is a transmission related noise as the 16 km/h (10 mph) diagnostic test may be very close to the 1-2 upshift speed under certain driving conditions.

This is a normal condition and no repair attempts should be made.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

jhm · March 24, 2005

I have a 2004 GMC HD 4x4 with 6.0 and auto tranny, around 7K miles. When starting from a stop I sometimes hear a noise that can be somewhat loud, other times not so loud or it doesn't happen at all. The noise sounds like an old car with a speedometer cable that is about to go out. It last for just a few seconds and just between first and second gear. I do not hear any noises when stopped. The noise does sound like it is coming from the dash area. On some occasions but not all if I place my hand on the 4x4 shifter on the floor it seems to change or dampen the noise but not always. The dealer heard the noise when it was acting not so loud and he did some research and said it might be some sort of stepper motor in the dash and a replacement fix was supposed to be out in May 05. I have no idea what he's talking about with the stepper motor and I wasn't able to clarify before he had to go into some meeting. Any help on this would be appreciated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had the same problem. They drove it and said it was piston slap They told me the story about how the piston was resonating inside the cylinder wall. I did not believe this because it would not do it in park when I revved the engine. Long story short, I got the 6yr 100k warranty. A few months later, it was bugging me so much I took it back, they had a new service manager. He went for a ride and I let him hear for himself. He agreed it was not piston slap. He took it in and for 2 days they hunted down the noise source. Turned out it was the 4wd floor shifter mechanism, a cheap plastic slider. The noise sounded like it was coming from the engine/firewall because of the way it travelled thru the frame and sheet metal. They did a hell of a job isolating it. You would never think it was coming from the shifter. They put in a new slider, noise gone and I still have the warranty!

JDeere7296 · April 5, 2005

I have a 2004 GMC HD 4x4 with 6.0 and auto tranny, around 7K miles. When starting from a stop I sometimes hear a noise that can be somewhat loud, other times not so loud or it doesn't happen at all. The noise sounds like an old car with a speedometer cable that is about to go out. It last for just a few seconds and just between first and second gear. I do not hear any noises when stopped. The noise does sound like it is coming from the dash area. On some occasions but not all if I place my hand on the 4x4 shifter on the floor it seems to change or dampen the noise but not always. The dealer heard the noise when it was acting not so loud and he did some research and said it might be some sort of stepper motor in the dash and a replacement fix was supposed to be out in May 05. I have no idea what he's talking about with the stepper motor and I wasn't able to clarify before he had to go into some meeting. Any help on this would be appreciated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Khopper,

Have you found a fix for the noise yet? I just saw this post, I've been having this same noise for a year and it is driving me crazy. My truck is a 03 2500 4x4 6.0 with floor mounted shifter also. Only happens during 1-2 shift, as soon as truck shifts into 3 noise stops. Took truck by dealership when I first noticed and they claimed they did not hear it. Took it back a second time and they said they heard the noise and it was normal. I can't win! I will try holding the 4x4 shifter on way home and see if it works. If anyone has anymore information on this, please let me know, would love to go back to the dealership with this.

Thanks

khopper · April 12, 2005

I have a 2004 GMC HD 4x4 with 6.0 and auto tranny, around 7K miles. When starting from a stop I sometimes hear a noise that can be somewhat loud, other times not so loud or it doesn't happen at all. The noise sounds like an old car with a speedometer cable that is about to go out. It last for just a few seconds and just between first and second gear. I do not hear any noises when stopped. The noise does sound like it is coming from the dash area. On some occasions but not all if I place my hand on the 4x4 shifter on the floor it seems to change or dampen the noise but not always. The dealer heard the noise when it was acting not so loud and he did some research and said it might be some sort of stepper motor in the dash and a replacement fix was supposed to be out in May 05. I have no idea what he's talking about with the stepper motor and I wasn't able to clarify before he had to go into some meeting. Any help on this would be appreciated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Khopper,

Have you found a fix for the noise yet? I just saw this post, I've been having this same noise for a year and it is driving me crazy. My truck is a 03 2500 4x4 6.0 with floor mounted shifter also. Only happens during 1-2 shift, as soon as truck shifts into 3 noise stops. Took truck by dealership when I first noticed and they claimed they did not hear it. Took it back a second time and they said they heard the noise and it was normal. I can't win! I will try holding the 4x4 shifter on way home and see if it works. If anyone has anymore information on this, please let me know, would love to go back to the dealership with this.

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

May 1st GM is suppose to have a final fix for the stepper motor noise. After I take it in I will post the results.

SS Crew · May 4, 2005

Hope you found your noise. I've got an '04 2500 Crew cab, I had a buzz at 2100 rpm, only 2100 rpm. I took my truck to the dealer. They ended up pulling apart the blower housing and resealing it, or that's what they told me. Hasn't made a sound since.

Good luck.

SS

khopper · August 12, 2005

Well after 2 dealerships and 2 weeks in the shop they discovered that the linkage for the transfer case needed additional lubrication. Now there is a shudder noise that sounds like it comes from the back of the truck at around 1800 - 2000 rpm only when accelerating. In addition, there is a noise coming from around the floor that they say is an actuator that sounds like a heart machine. So the original noise seems to be fixed but revealed this shudder noise and now I have this third actuator sound.