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Hard Transmission shifting?

19K views 30 replies 19 participants last post by  Charger_Guy2010 
#1 ·
Just got my Charger last month. An 08 Charger SE Plus, 3.5L 4 Speed tranny. 1000 Miles. When the car shifts into 3rd or maybe 4th gear, sometimes you can feel a mild to a little harder bump from the transmission as it shifts. I know the car isn't even broken in yet, but with all the other owners out there, just checking the collective knowledge, and wondering if this was normal?
 
#2 ·
You wont find anyone with similar condtions unless they have a 08. All 05-07's with the 3.5 come with 5 speed tranny. You have been downgraded to the 4 speed which use to mated only to the 2.7 v-6. Look for 2.7 v-6 powered cars with 4 speed tranny on old posts for similar problems
 
#3 ·
You might want to check over at the the lxforums or 300cforums. All 2005 and some 2006 chrysler 300 touring and limited editions that were not AWD had the 4 speed trans. Just take it into your dealership and let the update the trans. There is a TSB that has be revised at least 6 or more times for issues with shifting quality with the 42RLE trans. The update consist of software update and in some cases replacement of the torque converter with one with better friction properties to control shudder and the rumble strip effect.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Mine is also doing the "Rumble Strip" thing, mostly when i first take off while slightly turning, like out of a parking space. I would like to know what happens at the shop, if they were able to correct your problems with a flash. Yours an 08 with a 4 speed?

Build date on mine was Jan 08, I bought it Feb 08, so one would assume that I had all the current programs since the car is only 3 months old , But you never know.

Keep us posted


[Edit] I just checked Alldata.com and Didn't see any recalls or TSB's for my 08 for Hard Shifting or anything transmission related
 
#5 · (Edited)
mine had that issue...but i think im gonna try to put the 5 speed in now anyways as i rebuild, never even got it broke in....
________
VOLVO REDBLOCK ENGINE
 
#6 ·
mine had that issue...but i think im gonna try to put the 5 speed in now anyways as i rebuild, never even got it broke in....
5 speed kicks @$$!!
 
#7 ·
My moms 07 Caravan is shifting hard and doing the rumble strip thing too.

I'm going to take it in soon. Thought maybe there was a flash update for it.

In my opinion Chrysler transmissions are crude junk.

Had the same problem with my 95 Intrepid. It was rebuilt under factory warranty.

-GB
 
#10 ·
I havent heard any updates or flashes for the 41TE.. Chrysler transmissions arent junk its just that management can be penny pinchers. The 41TE is a great transmission you just have to take care of it correctly and on time. Also this trans if very smooth in all operations which is not bad at all for such an old design. I do remember the 95-97 trans issues which most of the problems were due to faulty input out put senors (prob cheapo company chrysler choose????) and wrong fluid type. Now if you want to say a Cruddy transmission than you should point the finger at FORD for their Ax4S Piece o Crap. http://www.ford-forums.com/ford-windstar/12601-99-windstar-transmission.html You should try out the new 6 speed transmissions from chrysler.... race car inspired and also can be clunky as your driving fast stoping and taking back off. Nice transmission any how very nice R to D transitions smooth.....
 
#11 ·
Well back from the shop with no success. They of course couldn't reproduce the problem so I had them ride with me. After I reproduced the problem the tech told me that it wasn't normal but there was nothing he could do to fix it. I have been on the phone with the guy that sold it to me this morning trying to get it worked out. I hope you have better luck with yours than I have had with mine.
 
#12 ·
Mine has been OK lately. Problem is intermittent at best. So I'll cross my fingers and hope this post doesn't jinks things. Sorry to hear the dealer can't help out. I know the feeling though, it's happened to me with a Ford Thunderbird, and that experience has kept me away from Ford since then. Hope that doesn't in this case.
 
#14 ·
If i were you i would start to document your repair attempts at the dealership. I would also prob take the car to another dealership and allow them to try to fix your issue. If they cannot fix it then hopefully they will throw you in another trans. If not then you can do lemon law and get some action to happen. The 42RLE needs to be fine tuned...its problem is that its shifting is usually slow and hesitant. Hopefully the 62RLE will be much better.
 
#15 ·
hey guys, new here.
i work at a Dodge Dealership (salesperson) and i bought an 08 SE plus last month. my car has also been doing the hard shifting deal. i'm taking it in tomorrow to see WTF is wrong with it.
funny thing is, last year when i bought my toyota, i had to have the tranny replaced @ 2700 miles (bad 1st gear syncro, manual tranny) and i dont even drive the Charger, its for my wife and today when she tried to pass someone it wouldnt even downshift!

so anyways, they are looking at it tomorrow and i'll get back to you guys
 
#17 ·
that would b great if u could swap in a 07' 5 spd tranny ;)
 
#19 ·
I have been having this problem too, with the hard shifting. A couple of people on here have said that it is normal, but a lot of you are saying that it is not. Should I take it back to the dealer and have it looked at. Mine also shuders a little when I am slowing down and the car is downshifting. By the way mine is an '08 se+ with around 600 miles on it. Also what is the "rumble strip" effect? Thanks.
 
#20 ·
The "Rumble Strip" effect is when the car feels like you are running over rumble strips when the transmission is shifting. Mine does it mostly between 1st and 2nd gear. Getting mine checked at the first oil change at the dealer. There is a TSB for that for the 06-07 Chargers. Not sure on the 08's.
 
#21 ·
Follow up Message.

I just got my car into the dealer for the 1st oil change. While it was in there I had them check on the "Rumble Strip/Washboard" effect I was getting between 1st and 2nd gear. I was able to duplicate the issue for the service manager. Mentioned a few of the things other dealers had done from what I read about here on the forum. He was leaning toward a quick learn. Tech did that, and didn't like what he saw. He orderd a 2-4 Clutch pack for it. Said he thought there was a seal leaking on the inside that was keeping the pressures low in the valve body (Or something to that effect). So my transmission is going to come out and they are going to keep the car for a few days. I'll post some more info when I get it back.:cry:
 
#25 ·
Another Follow-up
Car is back from the Dealer and it is shifting very smooth.

They replaced the Valve Body, Hub Input, all seals, and Fluid.
 
#27 · (Edited)
Same Problem with my '08 SE+!!

I have exactly the same problem from 1st to 2nd. I took it into the dealership, and they said they noticed the problem, but it didn't show any fault codes, and they didn't know what to do. "Bring it back if it gets worse". I've driven several new chargers without this problem. I'm taking it back in, and telling them FIX it, Replace the transmission with one that works, or take the car back and return my money. This is not acceptable!:beerchug:
 
#28 ·
I have exactly the same problem from 1st to 2nd. I took it into the dealership, and they said they noticed the problem, but it didn't show any fault codes, and they didn't know what to do. "Bring it back if it gets worse". I've driven several new chargers without this problem. I'm taking it back in, and telling them FIX it, Replace the transmission with one that works, or take the car back and return my money. This is not acceptable!:beerchug:
My car wasn't throwing any codes at all. At first they couldn't duplicate the issue. I took them for a very short ride (didn't get out of the parking lot). They didn't put up much of a fight after that.
 
#29 ·
2006 R/T hard tranny shift

I have a 2006 Charger R/T that has a hard shift and a hard down shift. Sometimes when I come to a stop the Hemi feels like it's binding up as if you forgot to engage the clutch on a manual. Other times it will down shift to first at the last minute before it kills the engine. Obviously I cannot check the fluid level. I've been told that there has been a problem with the wiring at the transmission going bad due to a leaking plug seal.

Any ideas??

Thanks, owner of a couple of Hemi cars. :driving:
 
#30 ·
I have a 2006 Charger R/T that has a hard shift and a hard down shift. Sometimes when I come to a stop the Hemi feels like it's binding up as if you forgot to engage the clutch on a manual. Other times it will down shift to first at the last minute before it kills the engine. Obviously I cannot check the fluid level. I've been told that there has been a problem with the wiring at the transmission going bad due to a leaking plug seal.

Any ideas??

Thanks, owner of a couple of Hemi cars. :driving:
How many miles on the car? One of the first things to do is suspect the fluid. These transmissions tend to run hot and cook the modifiers of the fluid out and cause the trans to adapt thinking that it needs to shove the clutch packs together harder not understanding it is a lack of modifier to get them to grab faster and smoother.

This leads to hard shifting, hesitations between shifts, bump stops and eventually internal failure that happens suddenly. ;)

Regards,
Brian
BND Automotive LLC:driving:
440-821-9040
www.bndautomotive.com
 
#31 ·
Why I would never buy a car off the lot.. there broken before there even broken in.. so you pay 50k for srt8 for example.. and car is under 100k on the dash.. and dealer can't fix your car.. for one why is someone looking at your car at a dealership if they don't know what there doing.. I thought they were suppose to he specialist.. why I rather buy a second hand car.. cheaper to buy and not so expensive to fix.. and not have to worry about voiding warranty.. plus it's 50k plus your interest on top.. so your paying interest for the dealership to say I'm not gonna fix your car.. you have to fix it yourself.. theres your extended warranty for you.. why support people that can legally **** you over.. dont make sense.. a seller at a dealership can smell you guys coming a mile away..
 
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