Alarm noise.

2001 SATURN SL2
114,000 MILES • 4 CYL • AUTOMATIC
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BLUEISMYCOLOR
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About a year ago my car started making an alarm noise when I would crank it. Sometimes it would just be a short alarm and sometimes it would be ongoing the whole time I drove. The sound went away for a good while but recently came back. The past couple times I have driven it has been a constant and loud noise. It sounds like it is coming from the back drivers side underneath. There is no problem with how it drives. Could it be the fuel pump?

Also how often should fluids be changed? I get regular oil changes and had a brake fluid flush 3 years ago when I got the car. The transmission fluid is nice and pink but I have never had it changed. I have heard that fluids souls be changed ever so often no matter if it looks good or not. What is the time frame? (Like for the brake fluid, transmission, coolant system, and power steering?)

Thank you for any help you have to offer!
Apr 18, 2016 at 9:48 PM
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STRAILER
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Hey BLUEISMYCOLOR,

You have it right, the fuel pump is creating this noise, have you changed the fuel filter recently? this could help with the noise, here is an article about the changing the filter which will give you an idea on what you are in for.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-a-fuel-filter
Apr 18, 2016 at 10:38 PM
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BLUEISMYCOLOR
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Hey! Thanks so much for your reply! I changed the fuel filter when the noise first started but it did not make the noise go away at that time.
Apr 19, 2016 at 12:24 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Just to to this one see the noise is coming from the center of the gas underneath the car.On the tank there will be a lower part of the gas tank where the fuel pump sits in.Just want to make sure the pump is making noise I have seen some strange things over all the years I have worked on them.
Apr 19, 2016 at 9:02 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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The transmission fluid gets changed every 30K there is a external filter on that one that gets changed the same time.The spark plugs get changed every 30K as well a pcv .The coolant like every 72K brake fluid like every few years because it's hydroscopic and traps water.Do people change it that often no.Also the fuel filter gets changed every 100K
Apr 19, 2016 at 3:00 PM
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BLUEISMYCOLOR
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Thanks! I was told there is an internal filter in the transmission and that the transmission has to be apart to replace that one. Is it necessary to have that one replaced?
Apr 24, 2016 at 7:13 PM
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STRAILER
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Yes this is true and it happens sometimes when the transmission is having a problem which clogs the filter.
Apr 24, 2016 at 7:19 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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The internal filter inside the transmission only gets changed when a internal repair is made.The external filter gets changed every 30K with the fluid.
Apr 24, 2016 at 7:23 PM
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BLUEISMYCOLOR
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Ok, so as long as no internal repairs need to be made only change the outside one? Am I understanding that correctly?
Apr 24, 2016 at 8:34 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Yes that is correct.
Apr 24, 2016 at 9:00 PM
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BLUEISMYCOLOR
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Is it ok to change it if you want? Does stuff not get caught up in it? Im sorry, I know Im full of questions.
Apr 24, 2016 at 9:20 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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If your talking about changing the internal filter it's like 14hrs labor to change it.You have to remove the transmission and take it all apart and split the transmission case.There is really no need to replace it.I have only replaced them when I had to split the case to make a repair since I was in there.Honestly just change the fluid and the external filter and your good to go.
Apr 24, 2016 at 9:42 PM
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BLUEISMYCOLOR
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Oh, I didn't realize it was all that work. Thanks so much! You guys are awesome and patient! :)
Apr 24, 2016 at 9:44 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome glad we could help.
Apr 24, 2016 at 10:12 PM