Hi, brand new to forums. My 99 XJ started growling (sounds like a power steering pump) recently. I changed fluid and filter pay still growls. Jeep has 122000 on it.
levels were full before I started.
Any ideas? I'm at the point where I'm considering selling it. Have my LJ Rubicon but the XJ was my wife and kids favorite.
Thanks for reading.
oh yeah, only growls in gear. No growl in park or neutral.

 

Is the transmission shifting okay? any other symptoms of transmission failure?

Does is growl when moving only? Or when you step on the gas pedal? Or when you are not pressing the gas pedal?

I would be looking for other causes for the growling, like ujoints, wheels hubs, engine/transmission mounts, differentials.

 

Growls in drive or reverse, not neutral or park, growls sitting still or driving.
Shifts ok, no different than before.
Give it more gas and it growls faster.

 

I would check the flex plate for cracks, loose bolts.

 

Listening to video the flex plate sound doesn't sound like my noise.
I'll look at it this weekend but my noise sounds just like a power steering pump low on fluid.
I'm wondering if it has anything to do with a pump in the transmission and how I'd tell.
Thanks for responding.

 

Easy to check Trans pressure at the side of the case. Gage and one plug screw. Pump specs in the manual. Good luck

 

Look here:

 

I had the very same thing. Actually had a shop ready to change out the power steering. They called and said that they believe it was the transmission. Apparently the pump in the front of the transmission was making the noise. Three transmission shops wanted upwards to $3000 to rebuild that transmission. Remanufactured transmissions were being quoted between $1200 and $2000 plus labor. The shop I used sourced a transmission from a salvage company that had 100,000 miles and installed it for $1200 out the door. It has been about a year and 10000 miles and no problems. The salvage yard and the shop have a 24 month 24000 full replacement including labor warranty.

 

Thanks for the input. My experience pretty much follows yours as far as the shops rebuilding the transmission.
I might look into a used one but I'm leary because I did a used transmission in my earlier times and didn't have much luck.
I think I might just try to sell it with the growl because I also have an 06 LJ and really don't need 2 jeeps.