Transmission Shudder

**nlancaster** · 12-25-2005, 07:46 PM

I live in Oregon, It rains alot, and my Magnum RT MDH 020313 is now getting the Transmission shudder as stated in TSB 21-011-05A. I had it in 2mths ago after experienceing very light shudder at that time. They would not reseal the dipstick tube becuase they could not verify I was getting the shudder, I specificly pointed out that the TSB says "If the customer experiences the condition perform the Repair Service." Nothing still wouldn't fix the problem. So took the car home. And problem went away about a week later.

On Wed 12/21/05 the shudder returned only much worse now doing it all the time. So called them up to try to get a Service Writer to stay a little late. Some punk suggested I take it to one of the dealers near my work and rent a car to get home, I work 40miles from home. He hung up on me when I stated can't afford a Rental right now. So I get to the dealer and no Service people are left. Leave it at the dealer and come back at 7AM the next day to check it in and Get a rental. Takes 40mins for the Rental people to pick me up.

They fix the problem stating, "There was a large quantity of water in the Torque converter" and I pick it up the next morning. Seems fine. Leave work and it shudders Twice. Call them up and they say, "We need to check with Dodge to see what we need to do." So I drive up and they go. "Heres the deal, we will rent a car for 5 days for you, but the parts we need wont be here until Tues/Wed. The damage is already done and we will be replacing the Torque converter when the parts get here. If the parts dont show up untill Wed you will have to pay for the rental after that if you take the rental now." I asked them if the problem is causing damage to the Transmission. "No the damage is only to the torque converter and no damage is being done to the transmission." This all happens on Friday night. I drive the car home and park it.

My question is this, I thought the Torque converter and transmission used the same fluid. Am I wrong? If I am right then isn't it a reasonable assumption that damage has been caused to the transmission while there was water in the torque converter? Shouldnt they replace the transmission also? How does the Oregon Lemon Law apply to this problem? Does this count as 2 strikes on the Lemon Law or One?

**Hemi31** · 12-25-2005, 08:02 PM

Sounds to me like the service dept is full of A-holes.And yes they do use the same fluid.

**MightyMagnum** · 12-25-2005, 08:11 PM

Don't settle for anything less than complete transmission replacement!

**wheelife** · 12-25-2005, 08:26 PM

I recently had the transmission o rings replaced(warranty) although I was not experiencing the problem stated in the T.S.B my car 05 R/T did fit the paramaters of this T.S.B. I remineded him of how many cars i was capable of buying and how nuts I would get on them (lawsuits etc. ) if they didnt deal with this now!!
Actually they were very willing to do it once they realized I had solid info, this website documenting this occurance and that we are in a small town and word of mouth does matter, also he is a new dealer who is hungry for future business.

find a better dealer or give your existing dealer a blast!!!.

If I were experiencing trans shutter it would be replace it(torque converter, edit) or go to court no discussions.

Best of Luck.

**fnkychkn** · 12-26-2005, 02:24 AM

the reason that the torque converter is damaged is because they failed to deal with the water intrusion problem when it was first reported. the torque converter is susceptible to damage from this condition because it spends a lot of time in partial lock up. which is to say the amount of slip allowed by the torque converter clutch is electronically modulated. this partial EMCC application occurs at low speed, low load and light throttle (i.e. cruising at 40-50 mph). when this occurs the TCC (torque converter clutch) is always in a state of slip. water contamination will severely deteriorate the TCC because of the heat build up this causes. however, transmission clutches slip only during shifts and never for a prolonged amount of time, therefore not building up enough heat to cause damage. replacement of torque converter and a thourough flush, including new filter, should be all that is required to repair this failure.

i would contact chrysler customer service and make them aware of your situation and that it seems to have been caused by this dealer failing to observe the instructions of the TSB. they may authorize a rental for the total downtime of your vehicle.

good luck.

**wheelife** · 12-26-2005, 10:03 AM

See what I mean about great info, thanks to fnkychkn for expaining this better than anybody I have heard on this subject.

I would tend to beleive that it is only the torque converter.

and (if) they are capable of doing the repair thoroughly i would
accept this as a solution.

**nlancaster** · 12-31-2005, 06:39 PM

So all the parts got to the dealer on Wednesday, They call me up and want me to bring it in next Tuesday because they dont think they can make the repair in only 2 days before the new years weekend. I tell them to fix it anyway. They get the job done in by Friday. Issue seams to be solved. Also am noticing that the car doesnt shiver while in drive stoped at a light anymore. That makes me wonder if this car had already partially had this problem in the first 51 miles it had when I bought it. Thanks for the info on the problem fnkychkn, we would be lost without you

.

While my Magnum was in the shop had them turn on the DRLs and Windshield wiper activated lights. Works great.