Help - Nasty noise when shifting auto trans

[Scott E]

Upon arriving at work this AM I notice when I change gears in my automatic transmission it makes a noise almost like a starter engaging when a car is already running. My car is a 1989 535iA (build date 10/88)

Beside the obvious of checking the fluid level is there anything else I should check. (I may have lost some tranny fluid when I replaced the cooling system).

Thanks

[ryan roopnarine]

specifically, when does it do it? when your shifting from P to D, or D to P, or inbetween? how long does it make the noise for ? does it do it while driving?

Upon arriving at work this AM I notice when I change gears in my automatic transmission it makes a noise almost like a starter engaging when a car is already running. My car is a 1989 535iA (build date 10/88)

Beside the obvious of checking the fluid level is there anything else I should check. (I may have lost some tranny fluid when I replaced the cooling system).

Thanks

[Scott E]

specifically, when does it do it? when your shifting from P to D, or D to P, or inbetween? how long does it make the noise for ? does it do it while driving?

Only occurs when I am moving the gear selector (P-D, D-R,) and last for only a second or two. I did not notice a problem while driving.

[ryan roopnarine]

If nobody else is gonna chime in, i forgot to ask the obvious question......as it is occuring when your changing over a range of gears, does it grind when it hits a specific position? or does it grind only when you complete the P-d or D-p transition ( i assure you this distinction does matter).

Only occurs when I am moving the gear selector (P-D, D-R,) and last for only a second or two. I did not notice a problem while driving.

[Tiger]

Maybe your starter selenoid is bad... didn't pull the starter gear back enough... so it is partially engaged.

[Scott E]

After work today I checked the fluid level and it was fine. Nor did it make any excess noise. If it occurs tomorrow I will be sure to note which transitions