What are signs your transmission is going out?

I have a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS (Automatic, V4). When I accelerate to get out of first, I hear a little rattle. The engine doesn't stall or anything like that, but it does sound like it rattles a bit. Switching from drive to reverse is smooth and acceleration is fine after you get out of first, but that faint rattle is concerning. Is this normal for a V4 or could my transmission be slowly going out?|||Mitsubishi does not make a V4 motor, it's a straight 4 cylinder. The noise id bound to be exhaust shields not the transmission. If you do want the transmission to last change the ATF every 30,000 miles as the factory maintenance recommends. Drain and fill takes 4 quarts of Mitsubishi SP III ATF. The drain plug is 24mm.|||Ive had a 97 honda accord that made that noice once it got close to shifting...then it started,to get worst every other day...id say sell the car asap and try,to get your moneys worth out of it while,you can.|||i'd have a transmission place look at it-but go to one who is a quality certified place. most transmission people out there are crooks.