[PolarNitro]

I see that I'm not the only one with transmission problems...

Ok, where do I start,

I purchased a Nitro back in April that was built in Dec/06. Great ride untill about 1500km. Started getting a"shudder" at about 55-60km/h and under a light load. Found this web site and read through all the tranny threads and realized I was not alone.

!st time into service dept...they could not find any problem.

2nd time in...flashed the PCM with the most recent version. Shudder still there.

3rd time with TSB under my arm...They replaced the torque converter. Shudder still there...AND now a high speed vibration(over 90km/h). This vibration almost vibrates like an AC sine wave...that is it starts with a low vibration and ramps up to a high vibration then ramps down to a low vibration and then repeats over and over. If you drop into neutral...the vibration stops...back into gear, it starts again.

4th time in... they reflashed the PCM and he said that he re-enabled the break in. They took it out for a long test drive and said that it seemed ok. The shudder did seem to be gone but there was still a "lugging" or "bogging" feeling at low speeds and the high speed vibration was still there.

5th time in...I took it back in this past Monday(June 25/07) and they still have it. I talked to the tech and he seems to be unsure of what the problem may be. He did pull a drive shaft, but the vibration was still there. He also said that another vehicle came in yesterday with the same symptoms and that they are working on them together...I did'nt think to ask if it was also a Nitro...guess he would have said if it was though.

Please, does anyone know of a solid solution to this problem?...NITROTECH?
Anything? HEEEEEELP!

 

[Nitr010507]

transmission issues

Feel priviledged that they acknowleged the problem. Just picked mine up yesterday from the shop. The SM says, "first of all...I put over 500 miles on your truck, and found nothing different from the other Nitro's on the lot. and 2nd, there was a problem that occured during the test drives. Your ESP light came on. But we took care of that. So, Mrs. N. there is nothing wrong with your truck. It's perfectly safe. I would drive it to Mexico and back with my Grand kids with me. (yeah right!!)

After driving it for myself.. the steering wheel is WAY looser than it was, and feels like there's alot of slack. And for them not "doing any work to the tranny" BS! It used to hesitate at 40 then shift weird till about 60. Now it cuts out at 45 (no power) then shifts till 80 mph. wat da hell??? I don't know, what they've done. It also sounds like a damn souped up race car...and a couple of times when lightly accelerating it reved up and took off like a bat out of hell. My sixteen year old son might enjoy that new feature, but I DON'T!!!! Just gettin' it off my chest guys..just gettin' it off my chest Thanks.:shakehead:

 

[tjdateke]

40 Mph

I can tell when my Nitro hits 40 mph without even looking the engine acts the same way everytime. Its like the Nitro is taking a big breath before accelerating. Also when getting on the gas to merge from a slow accel or dead stop get a hard shift

 

[DrTaz]

5th time in...I took it back in this past Monday(June 25/07) and they still have it. I talked to the tech and he seems to be unsure of what the problem may be. He did pull a drive shaft, but the vibration was still there. He also said that another vehicle came in yesterday with the same symptoms and that they are working on them together...I did'nt think to ask if it was also a Nitro...guess he would have said if it was though.

I had taken my Nitro in to a d'ship here in Calgary last week for some paint warranty work, and mentioned the 60-km tranny shake as well. The work order is still open, and the srvc advisor says that they have forwarded the issue to 'engineering'. The service advisor had also stated that there was another Nitro with this issue just recently ...

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

Well we have had ours in the shop 2x for the transmission. The first the service manager said it was normal operation and I told him it was not. He recommended taking it to another dealer so we did. They replaced the Torque converter and flashed the PCM. Now it is worse than before. The mechanic that did the work lives down our street and he said that he believes this to be a programming issue with the transmission and that Dodge is aware of it and working on a fix. My wife called again today to schedule it back in. If they can not fix this problem we will file the Lemon Law for this vehicle as I can not stand this shutter and I do not feel that they are working diligently on a fix for this problem. I recommend that we as a group stand up and not take what the dealer is selling which is a know transmission problem. Keep returning your vehicle until it is fixed. Don't settle for anything less like they want you to do.

 

[als2052]

Hopefully this problem will be the next recall they issue.

 

[StudebakerJoe]

Transmission/torque Converter Problems

The Nitro has been in for the third time to fix the shudder. The torque converter has been replaced, the computer flashed numerous times, and all TSB's performed including recall G25. It may be a little better but it still shudders or shifts constantly. The dealer has been great but their hands are tied. I even rode in a "new" Nitro and it has the same symptoms. The bottom line is that Chrysler does not know how to fix this:shakehead:. This to me is unacceptable. When you buy a new vehicle you expect it to operate well.
I have contacted a Chrysler comsumer representative, but I do not believe I'll see much help. I am thinking about the "lemon" law. I suggest that everyone having problems do the same.
I have never been burned on a vehicle before in my life (I am 60) and I do not plan on going down without a fight .
I see why Diamler dumpped Chrysler.

 

[Les]

STUDEBAKER JOE

I agree with all you say about the nitro, i thought all my problems with nitro were taken care of, but the transmission issues are back, surging lugging etc, this is the worse new car i have ever bought and i have had 5 new cars in the last 6 years.

 

[NitroTech]

This is a driving style issue and is currently under investigation. The transmission control module (TCM) software allows the torque converter clutch to engage at relatively low engine RPM when driving with very light throttle. This condition may be more pronounced when driving up a slight incline. No corrective action process is available at this time.

Possible TCM flash update may be developed. TSB or other service publication may be published when corrective action process is defined.

 

[drvette]

Had the Nitro in at the Dealer a couple of months ago in regards to the tranny shutter. The Service Manager and myself took the Nitro out for a test drive and he seemed to know where the shutter points were. Said this is totally normal and when this shutter issue occurs that I should just engage the TOW/HAUL option until out of this RPM range. I have tried this and it definitely works but I still do not think this is normal or an answer to the problem.

 

[dk1677]

drvette, that does not sound like a good explanation, I have had no shudder problem with my SXT, In fact I find the trans. to be one of the more smoothly shifting of the Chrysler built cars I have had.

 

[Nitr010507]

shudder and bog

I have had all the same problems and work done to mine but was told it's normal but safe..but guess what...it's not. I was trying to merge in high speed traffic one day on the highway...just when I needed to speed up it bogged down and no matter what I did I couldn't get it to gOOOO, so I pulled off the highway, (thanks to some encouragment from the two diesel behind me "blowing their horns" and the two "screaming girls in my back seat" oh, and my sister sitting beside me, screaming.."your gonna get us all killed, DO SOMETHING")..I have to laugh now..then, it wasn't so funny!

Then, one day, I'm at a red like in heavy traffic...when the light changed I was about the 3rd car back...and just as I got under the light..I heard it start shifting into 2nd but all the sudden it just got stuck there...it couldn't go into 2nd and it wasn't in 1st either. I just kept giving it gas...I could hear the motor rev up..but the truck wouldn't budge. Well, this time I had my brother,my brother in law, my sister and her 13 yr old daughter with me...they all start yelling " go debi gooo..." so I just punch the accellerator as hard as I could and the truck just shot off like a rocket. Needless to say.. this problem is not safe.

 

[Nitr010507]

This is a driving style issue and is currently under investigation. The transmission control module (TCM) software allows the torque converter clutch to engage at relatively low engine RPM when driving with very light throttle. This condition may be more pronounced when driving up a slight incline. No corrective action process is available at this time.

Possible TCM flash update may be developed. TSB or other service publication may be published when corrective action process is defined.

"driving style issue" ????I'm sorry..but that may be the craziest thing I've heard from chrysler yet....is this Chrysler's way of blaming their loyal customers....their loyal customer's who have been more than patient while they "think of a cure" ! I live within 10 blocks of 4 school zones...do I have chrysler's permission to tell the cop who pulls me over for speeding thru a school zone "I'm sorry officer, I have a good reason for speeding...chrysler says my truck has "driving style issues" and I shouldn't slow down because it causes my truck's transmission to bog down and shudder.... I think chrysler means "driving condition issues" as in..anytime you have to "slow down", maybe?!? As my late mother used to say.."C'maaawwn peeeople"

 

[Donna]

My Nitro has been in the shop 10 times! Finally a technican from Chrysler came to look at it and hooked it up to a laptop computer and adjusted something in it and it shifts better. It still had a vibration and he brought some kind of machine that tells you where the vibration is and it showed the transfer case. My Nitro is now in the shop having a transfer case put in. I really hope this helps. I'll be trading it off soon! Just keeping telling your dealer to fix the problem. They have to do something. THey will bring in someone to fix it if enough people complain.

 

[PolarNitro]

Grrrrrrrrrrrr...

Hi all,

Sorry I haven't followed up on my original post.

Here's an update...

Got my Nitro back on that Friday. The service manager said they did all they could, including a new flash of the PCM...Grrrrrrrr. they felt that the shudder was much improved. They don't know what is causing the high speed vibration. They said they would keep in touch with the Chrysler Engineering department and get back to me the following week.

Took my nitro for a long drive...the shuddering was gone! Two weeks later...it's back again! as of today, it is now worse than it ever has been! The "lugging" or "bogging" is there almost constantly now, and of course the high speed vibration is still present!

I contacted Chrysler customer care and was told by them that my dealership never did contact the engineering dept. They called the dealership on my behalf and told me to continue working with them. I will now be taking my vehicle in on Monday for them to continue working on my Nitro.

1st...Does anyone have this high speed vibration that I described in my earlier post? This seems to be a separate problem.

2nd...Nitrotech...you seem to be a wealth of information and very valuable to this forum, however...for you to suggest that this is a "driving style issue" is, well, insane. Does this mean that the next time I go shopping for a new car I must be evaluated to see what my "driving style' is? Then and only then I can chose a car that fits my "style".

I'm sorry, but I've had it with this Nitro. It drives like ****! Fix it or get me a red one!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mike T]

I have the same problem
The service manager acknowledges the bad vibration but has told me outright at this time there is no repair, My options are wait for a repair to come out or give the vehicle back. At least he is honets
Mike

 

[NitroTech]

Alright everyone. Here's the latest information I've got, but patience will be required. Chrysler is aware that TSB 21-002-07 does not correct the transmission shudder and shift points.

It is my understanding dealers may not be aware of the latest information and performing this TSB in an effort to correct the problem. Chrysler tech support may suggest to dealers to do the TSB if the customer insists. Personally I see this as normal because it is the name of customer satisfaction and the dealer is providing the most current repair provided to them. Please don't bash me for saying that.

Anyways, the torque converter for the 42RLE transmission is being investigated for the shudder problem and possibly a revised one is being developed. They are also aware of the "bogging" "lack of response" "lack of power" issue that many here have reported. Correcting this would require a reprogramming of the transmission shift schedule.

Now, here's the part where patience is required. The possibility of the release of a TSB for this repair is many weeks away. This is all I know for now. When and if a TSB is released it will be published to NitroForumz promptly.

 

[Rooster7]

Things are begining to make sense!!!

NitroTech,
My SXT (12/06 production) has all of the problems this thread deals with (plus Many More). See my posts "Newbi, What a Disappointment".
I have had a meeting with a "Factory Guy" and my dealers GM. They agree That I have "Problems" and have tentatively agreed to a buy-back. Heres the clincher, It will take, "4 to 5 weeks to process the paper work". I think they are stalling to see if Chrysler will fine a cure. What do you think.

Thanks, Allan

 

[Nitr010507]

I read somewhere that Chrysler is saying that it's a computer problem and they will be replacing the cpu pcmia unit next?!?it wont be ready for about 3 weeks. My SM told me the high speed vibration was coming from my front right tire and my steering wheel also vibrates alot. But it also does that while idling. There is a new rattle noise coming from that right door now. But there is also a new rattle noise coming from the dash over my steering wheel , which I guess is caused from all the vibrating and shuddering. Anywho...does anyone know why the A/C would make this very High Pitched Whistle ....it's drivin' me nuts.

I'm at 9200 miles now...Wonder if I will make it to the Big 10,000.

 

[Guest]

i shudder the thought

I also had that problem but when I installed a magnaflow exhaust the problem was almost gone. I then installed the K/N intake and I now do not have the shudder.