1999 Honda Civic – noise

Hello all. I have an update. The high pitched noise I’ve been hearing has been coming from the transmission. On Sunday the check engine light went on while I was driving home. Anyway, the car started shifting funny, but I was able to make it home. The next morning I saw a puddle of transmission fluid on the ground. Yesterday I looked under the car to see where the leak was coming from. It turns out that the ATF cooler clamp (the end connecting to the radiator) had broke completely and spewed transmission fluid everywhere. I replaced it today and replaced the transmission fluid and took it for a test drive and the noise has significantly improved.

The only thing I can think of is that the clamp must have gotten loose and started leaking transmission fluid while I was driving (because I never saw any on the driveway). The clamp must have finally gave way (the other day) and spewed fluid everywhere, causing significant fluid loss.

I’m thinking that the fluid loss (over time prior to the imminent clamp failure) must have done some damage and caused the high pitched noise. The noise is significantly better and the car shifts just fine. I’m not sure what kind of damage was done but I guess I’ll just keep driving until the transmission goes completely out.

I’m thinking this is what happened, but I welcome other possible conclusions or ideas. Thanks for the help.

I always do. They have a new honda transmission fluid called atf dw-1. they said it’s compatible with atf-z1, but not the other way around.