Charger Tranny Problems

[miamiyogi]

Hi all,

3K miles and my baby had to go back to the dealer :(

I am unsure how much of this is true. So bear with me here I am not a mechanic. The service advisor just called and said that the tranny blew some gears into the front pump. I have NO IDEA what that means.

What he DID say that startled me...is he said its become a common problem...MOPAR already has redesigned gears which he ordered and that a recall is imminent

Can anyone confirm/dispell?

[ChargerSXT]

I haven't heard anything about this, but I will definitely ask my dealer about it. I'm taking it in tomorrow for them to check/fix a few things. I will bring this up with them.

[chargershed]

This is the first I've heard of this type of problem on any lx vehicle, just recieved current service bullitins and recalls this morning and nothing on the Charger/Magnum...

[Of The Moonlight]

do you have the v8 or the v6?

[miamiyogi]

2006 Charger R/T HEMI. Sorry I should have specified, I forget there are SXT owners on here.

Like I said, I have NO real confirmation of the problem yet. I am just repeating what the service advisor said. I should be able to pick the vehicle up today. I will attempt to grill him some more and get details. I will ask for part nos. and see if I can get the old parts back. Note that I dispise this dealer and wouldn't out lying past them (since they blatantly did in the sales process)


I owe a post on this one.

[joescat]

I wonder if Chargers being built now and beyond will have the "updated" gears then?

[a14umbra]

I'm hoping this is just a case of the service manager trying to make you feel better. You know, the old 'misery loves company' theory.

[miamiyogi]

It IS possible. And I have no faith in this dealer (PLANET DODGE SUCKS). But I chose to err on the side of caution and tell the forum. Worst thing that can happen from that would be getting flamed (my MOPAR bros/and sisters wouldnt do that would they?) or scooping a recall notice (the forum would have a parade in my honor right?)

ANYWAY the lies continue.... I should have been on my way to the dealer now so I took the afternoon off of work so I can once again make sweet traffic love to my baby but alas, the parts aren't in yet. I will DEMAND to get the old parts back to have a buddy give a look over (mechanical engineer) and I will DEMAND a TSB to prove what he says has happened. I will also ask for old part number vs. new part number.

I will be vigilent my friends and report back promptly. The dealer has internet access in the service area so it will be GREAT to use their connection to bad mouth them.

[Crazy_luck]

There is a TSB for the tranny, there is a shudder when the torque converter clutches angage

TSB (http://cnn.edmunds.com/maintenance/recalltsb.do?step=tsb&year=2006&make=Dodge&model=Charger&style=RT+4dr+Sedan+%285.7L+8cyl+5A%29&zip=56011&synpartner=cnn&tid=cnn.g..mnt.step2.9.Dodge*#1)

[beezn]

please post all results, with pics.

[BT1024]

do you have the v8 or the v6?

The V6 and the V8 use the same transmission.
- But, the gear ratio's are different between the v6 and v8 models - Is that why you asked about the engine ? - or did you ask because of the horsepower/torque differences ?

Brian T.

[rodneyiii]

The V6 and the V8 use the same transmission.
- But, the gear ratio's are different between the v6 and v8 models - Is that why you asked about the engine ? - or did you ask because of the horsepower/torque differences ?

Brian T.
I thought the only gearing difference was in the rear end. The V6 has a 2.87 ratio and the V8 has a 2.82 ratio. There may also be some programming differences to optimize power transfer but I think the tranny internals are the same.

[miamiyogi]

Hi all....my baby is still in the shop. Latest news is they had to order a new torque converter. I will update y'all. I'll be in Jamaica next week, hope they get this done b4 then.

[Of The Moonlight]

i asked because i was pretty sure they had different trans's. guess not.


anyway, if its covered under warrenty, you cant have the parts back. they get shipped back to dodge for examination.

[gladiator45]

hade a tranny problem myself. came home from iraq for two weeks, bought myself the inferno red r/t, with the whole nine yards. had it for SIX HOURS. drove it 126 fu--ing mile and then the tranny quit. according to the service dept. the torque converter fragged and messed up the gears in the tranny. i am not a mechanic, i just know what i would like to do to the SOB who sold me the car. does anyone know if prob's like this are becoming a common thing or am i just the lucky one?

[miamiyogi]

Hi all,

Sorry for the delay in my response, but the wife wouldn't let me use the internet while we were in Jamaica -the nerve of her anyway ;) At any rate after MUCH debating with the service department (this went all the way to the GM of the dealer). I did find out I am NOT entitiled to see the old parts because I didnt pay for the repair, Dodge did so by FL law they get to see the parts. I did get detailed part numbers for what they did fix, I can post later if someone is interested. Looks like they did NOT rebuild anything in the tranny, but did replace the torque converter, it took so long because the moron ordered the wrong part three times.

Looks like there MIGHT be a prob. with the tq convert. there is NOT a new engineering fix for this. If someone has heard different let me know at once. Thanks all!

[Of The Moonlight]

duh. you're not going to get the parts back. if dodge, and all manufacturers for that matter, dont take back the WARRENTEED part for examination, how the hell are they going to determine what went wrong and update the part?

chances are it wasnt the tech that ordered the part, but the actual parts counterman. cuz they do that sorta thing. it can be a pain in the ass to get a new part for a new car sometimes. superceeding part numbers can become very confusing.

[miamiyogi]

duh. you're not going to get the parts back. .

Well EXCUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSE me. I thought we were here to learn and share. In the past I have been permitted to examine the parts before they were shipped back.

[Of The Moonlight]

learn and share, yes. being a jerk and getting in the way of people just trying to do their JOBS, no.

just curious: you hate this dealership, why'd you even bring the car there?

[miamiyogi]

learn and share, yes. being a jerk and getting in the way of people just trying to do their JOBS, no.

just curious: you hate this dealership, why'd you even bring the car there?

SInce you have made an assumption about me (that I have been a jerk to my service people) let me make one about you: You either have, are currently, or know someone that works in the vehicle service field in a dealership envriorment.

Instead of assuming I am a jerk, I wish you would have taken the time to read this topic in its entirety. However, because I am a reasonable person I will summarize for you, and answer why I took the car to this dealer (PLANET DODGE SUCKS)

My original beef with this dealer was a poor sales experience. I would go into detail, but this would be off-topic. Now, I have had a poor SALES experience before with a different dealer, but had excellent SERVICE experience at the same dealer. This car went in to this dealer for maint. and I had a GREAT experience. When the car developed problems I assumed the great SERVICE experience would continue.

I was told that a transmission recall was imminent and that gears were being rebuilt on my tranny and so forth (again if you had read this topic fully you would know this). I started this topic to 'scoop' the recall.

A full three weeks my vehicle was in the shop. And several statements made by my service advisor were later proved false because when I picked the vehicle up I POLITELY asked for a full accounting of the work completed after reading suggestions posted here on the forum. I KINDLY requested to inspect the parts and was told that was not possible, and I recognized why at the delaer, and this was confirmed by you (which believe it or not I am grateful to you for). How was this being a jerk and preventing someone from doing their job????

See you forget their job (and yours too if my assumption is correct) is me. I am the reason the dealer exisits (and others who shop there of course). It is their job that the most efficent (for the dealer and the manuf.) repair is made, and that I am aware of the work being performed. Why did this S.A. lie? To make me feel better? Perhaps. So I dont blame him? Most likely. But if requesting that I be satsfied with the repair I PAID FOR (included in the purchase of the vehicle and its maint. package) makes me a jerk, then that label my friend I will wear proudly. In no way was I ever abusive, demanding, or otherwise unfair....AND I wouldn't even call the dealer until a promised date had elapsed (ex. "we ordered the parts for the gears and it will be in Thursday so your car will be ready Friday".....I called the following TUESDAY for an update.

I don't make it a habit to explain myself....but since you did ask: on top of the good FIRST experience with the service department explained above, it is difficult because of logistics to take my car to another dealer.

IMO....I think Dodge hands out five stars to delaers more than a first grade teacher hands out stars to recent Montesorri graduates.

[metalwrayth]

There is a TSB for the tranny, there is a shudder when the torque converter clutches angage

TSB (http://cnn.edmunds.com/maintenance/recalltsb.do?step=tsb&year=2006&make=Dodge&model=Charger&style=RT+4dr+Sedan+%285.7L+8cyl+5A%29&zip=56011&synpartner=cnn&tid=cnn.g..mnt.step2.9.Dodge*#1)

Is this TSB for the RT models only or is it also for the SE and SXT???

[darkrebel]

i agree planet dodge does suck. thx for the heads up on the crap service though. thats where i got mine and i dont think it deserves a five star.

i think the tsb is on se sxt and rt.

[miamiyogi]

i agree planet dodge does suck. thx for the heads up on the crap service though. thats where i got mine and i dont think it deserves a five star.

i think the tsb is on se sxt and rt.

Your welcome, and I think we have asserted on this topic that the tranny is the same on R/T and SXT/SE so then the TSB would apply to all.

Let me be fair...the service was okay. Just typical mind games service advisors like to play. But yes...given the options I will have to use up vacation time to visit another dealer should the need arise, because PLANET DODGE decided they wanted to suck (its impossible to be this bad inadvertently).

I hope your sales guy spoke English.....I speak spanish and couldn't understand my salehole in either language.

[ltdodge]

Your welcome, and I think we have asserted on this topic that the tranny is the same on R/T and SXT/SE so then the TSB would apply to all.

Let me be fair...the service was okay. Just typical mind games service advisors like to play. But yes...given the options I will have to use up vacation time to visit another dealer should the need arise, because PLANET DODGE decided they wanted to suck (its impossible to be this bad inadvertently).

I hope your sales guy spoke English.....I speak spanish and couldn't understand my salehole in either language.


i told you a while back that Planet Dodge Sucks!!. this dealer is actually the same poeple that are in Hialeah (I forgot the name), they just expanded and changed the name. Next time take it to Dadeland Dodge or now its called South Dade dodge. Its kind of easier dealing with smaller dealers than with huge supermonster dealers. I bought my truck at Planet and I took it in for my complimentary oil change. after I left I noticed they only put 5 quarts of oil into my HEMI (which needs 7). they didnt even bother to check the dipstick......lets say thats the last time they saw my truck....

[RDBRT]

ALL MEGADEALERS SUCK !!
Who do you think supports the marble floors, short skirted greeters, 14 sales associates (buzzards) and juice bars ?------- Get up and look in the mirror.
I look for the small dealer with few associates and a garage that I can see into.
miamiyogi, have you seen that new Lexus 7 story repair depot by Kendall Regional Airport (sw 136 st and 137 ave), I won't be shopping there
Russ in Homestead

[miamiyogi]

ALL MEGADEALERS SUCK !!
miamiyogi, have you seen that new Lexus 7 story repair depot by Kendall Regional Airport (sw 136 st and 137 ave), I won't be shopping there
Russ in Homestead

Off topic but what the hell....

OMG yes I have seen that monstrosity....good night! I wasn't sure if I should shop for a car there or check in!!!!!!! What did they do..put in a bowling alley too?

When I purchased the car nobody had a R/T 'cept for Planet :mad: And yes i remember being told on the board that Planet sucked. Good points on the megadealers. I'll have to go to Dadeland...WHAT A PAIN, I work,live, play in downtown.

Nobody offerd me a double latte chi dry expresso w/soy milk at planet anyway...the machine did look cool though :)

[darkrebel]

spitzer dodge in homestead (301 and us1) seems to have a crappy service/parts too. i called to get mopar vynil cleaner and the guy wanted to sell me at least 12 bottles. and i asked em to qoute me on a couple installs and they said they dont do some. they wont install the spoiler!! wtf

im going to call dadeland dodge today maybe i can get my hands a 1 bottle of mopar vynil cleaner.

[RDBRT]

I've always been treated well at Spitzer Dodge in sales and service and they know that I've bought there before (3) so I guess they know me as a local, they are small town though.
I went to Dadeland while looking for the R/T and the sales holes were just that.
My son's truck had warrenty trans work there and the service people were good to us, so I'd give them a shot at service but not sales, good luck darkrebel.
You, yogi and I will have to hook up one day.
Sorry for the off subject
Russ

[miamiyogi]

You, yogi and I will have to hook up one day.
Sorry for the off subject
Russ

I'll PM you guys with my email. Maybe we can meet up at Fuddrucker's on US1 when they have the car/bike meet over there. Its not too far from Homestead...3 Chargers showing up together would be cool.

I get wholesale pricing @ Tamiami Chrysler...maybe I can get your vinyl cleaner there.

I think this topic (tranny problems) is dead now.

[ltdodge]

I'll PM you guys with my email. Maybe we can meet up at Fuddrucker's on US1 when they have the car/bike meet over there. Its not too far from Homestead...3 Chargers showing up together would be cool.

I get wholesale pricing @ Tamiami Chrysler...maybe I can get your vinyl cleaner there.

I think this topic (tranny problems) is dead now.


dont forget me......I dont have my charger yet, but by December I should have my srt-8

[RPMSRT8]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Switching from eight cylinders to four decreases the frequency but increases the amplitude of engine vibrations. So the techies had to come up with a solution. They found it in the form of a torsional torque converter damper acting on the turbine side, in combination with a moderate amount of torque converter slip--but not so much slip that it negates the fuel economy benefits of running on just four cylinders. Together these two strategies absorb the V4’s harsher firing pulses, making the cylinder-deactivation transition seamless.]

A few posters have reported troubles with their transmissioms, only to find out it was the torque converter that went south. The above piece taken from an "interesting read" article might give a clue to what went wrong. Taking something simple and adding a touch of "tech" to it leaves room for possible problems.
__________________

[Letscharge]

Do the Chargers and the 300s have the same transmission, Also do the SRT8s have the same trans as the other cars.
I see alot of people having tran probelms with their 300s especially the water in tranny causing a shudder and problem shifting issue, there is a TSB for it.

So does the charger have the same issues.

[Letscharge]

anyone know the answer?

[Of The Moonlight]

yes they all have the same transmission

and yes, they're all gawbage.

[jpagan]

Hey guys....Next time meeting at Fuddrucker's let me know.. I leave kinda closed to it.

JC

[miamiyogi]

I'll add you to the distro list when we go to Fuddruckers. However the folks of SpeedStyle and performance are meeting tonight. Sorry for the short notice. Let me know if you need directions...I don't know these guys but I think I might check them out tonight


http://groups.msn.com/SPEEDSTYLEandPERFORMANCE

heres a disposable email address for me it will deactivate shortly:

chargerforums.15.miamifreako@spamgourmet.com

[chargershed]

yes they all have the same transmission

and yes, they're all gawbage.
Thanks for the insight :rolleyes: The trans problems were on the early production models and had to do with a bad seal that would allow water into the trans which would cause a shudder and in some instances a failure of the converter, that has been fixed on the later models. I am one of those "jedi mind trick" service advisors that work at an independent dealer. We have only seen one magnum that had that leak problem and no lx cars with any trans problems...SO FAR... like anything that is massed produced, there might be an issue or 2 that come up, no reason to be pissed at the messenger...