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Chrysler Pacifica Transmission Problems

838 messages,  Last post on Apr 16, 2013 at 5:35 PM

You are in the Chrysler Pacifica Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chrysler Pacifica, Transmission, Wagon


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Messages Page 54 of 85

#526 of 838 Re: 02 sensor => related to 2005 recall? [bulldozer] by drnager

Sep 11, 2008 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: bulldozer (Sep 11, 2008 9:12 am)
Thank you for the replies rhollis and bulldozer.
 
Rhollis, I hear you. I originally emailed and called my Chrysler dealer for a quote for the o2 sensor replacement. They never provided me with a quote. Are you suggesting that Midas may not have replaced the o2 sensor effectively? If so, do you believe it is possible that the dangerous problem I am experiencing could be caused by a faulty oxygen sensor?
 
Bulldozer, I don't know how to determine whether my Pacifica has an accelerator cable or an electronic throttle device. The car is currently at the dealership. The recall I am worried about says the following:
 
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE AND THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) SOFTWARE MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO STALL UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.
 
Consequence:
THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
 
Does this seem to potentially match my symptoms or does the o2 sensor message better match them?
 
Thanks! --Damon

#527 of 838 Re: 02 sensor => related to 2005 recall? [drnager] by farout

Sep 11, 2008 (6:32 pm)

Replying to: drnager (Sep 11, 2008 12:16 pm)
Damon: Taking your car to Autozone and Midas were huge mistakes. These outfits hire inexperienced, and generally trades men that don't have what it takes to work at a dealership. (not even a closed down Yugo shop) The parts these places use are usually a cheap imitation or poorly made parts from some place in a country you never heard of before. These parts don't last and may actually damage your engine.
     With a few exceptions the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep dealership can find the problem, and fix it properly with less cost and hassle than most places. The o2 sensor is usually replaced in pairs, top and bottom. Unless the correct one is replaced right and cleared form the computer the problem still continues. Often when just one sensor is replaced the other one will go out real soon too. (voice of experience on our 96 Dodge neon)
    Many years ago I use to take my cars to these places thinking I was saving money. I was young and trying to save time and money. It wound up costing me a lot more time and money too. I am older and I hope smarter.
    Here is one example, Oil Changes at Walmart for our PAC is $29.98 with their cheap oil. My dealer sends me coupons and an oil change is $21.95. I also get Mopar oil filters, and Mobil 10w 30w which is what the owners manual calls for. The car gets washed and inside is cleaned too, for $8.00 less. Jiffy Lube is $32. for the oil change, no brake there either. See what I mean.
    By going to the dealership you find right up front if there is a recall or some other needed thing. The dealer is the one with the best communication from the factory for recalls and computer updates on their equipment that finds your problems.
   I sure hope this helps, as you have been drug into muddy waters by these so-called automotive shops. And no I do not own Chrysler stock, but I have bought 17 Chrysler made vehicles and been very pleased with the service and the care our vehicles have gotten.
 
farout

#528 of 838 Re: 02 sensor => related to 2005 recall? [farout] by drnager

Sep 15, 2008 (11:48 am)

Replying to: farout (Sep 11, 2008 6:32 pm)
Thanks for the response, farout.
 
I have to admit that I am a bit skeptical of all the Chrysler dealership recommendations. I like competition in markets and the idea that only Chrysler dealerships have access to the means of proper diagnosis concerns me. That said, I feel like I'm forced to go to the Chrysler dealership after the latest turn in events.
 
I paid the dealership $95 for their diagnosis that the bank 1, sensor 1 o2 sensor needed to be replaced, something I was already told by Midas and AutoZone. I was a bit frustrated by this. I felt I got something for my money when the dealership gave me a dealerconnect technical bulletin that said the 05 PAC o2 sensor needs to be replaced by an 04 PAC part. The issue was discovered in 2005, which makes me suspicious of quality.
 
I took the bulletin with the recommendation back to Midas and asked them to replace the o2 sensor with an 04 PAC Chrysler part. I left them a copy of the recommendation. They followed it and during testing after replacing the part with the part from the dealership, the check engine light appeared again stating a problem with the bank 1, sensor 1 o2 sensor.
 
I'm now planning to head back to the Chrysler dealership. I hear your comments about the quality of Midas technicians. However, I'm very reluctant to pay the Chrysler dealership to replace the o2 sensor a third time. I'm very suspicious of the computer in this 05 PAC. I wish I could find out if any of the 127K 05 Pacificas that were recalled had symptoms related to the o2 sensor. I wish I didn't have to trust the dealership, but I feel like I'm backed into a corner.
 
Regards,
Damon

#529 of 838 Re: 02 sensor => related to 2005 recall? [drnager] by drnager

Sep 16, 2008 (4:19 pm)

Replying to: drnager (Sep 15, 2008 11:48 am)
The dealership did determine that there is a problem with the PCM. Problem now is that there is no ETA for the replacement.
 
So I've paid Midas for a o2 sensor I didn't need and have no idea when I'll get the replacement part I need.
 

#530 of 838 Re: 02 sensor => related to 2005 recall? [drnager] by farout

Sep 16, 2008 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: drnager (Sep 16, 2008 4:19 pm)
drnager: I expect the dealer may have your PCM or know when it will arrive by now. If you feel that AutoZone or Midas gives you better service than the Chrysler dealer than it would be best to stick to one place for general repair. But for techincal service I would advise you to stick to the dealership for that. Howerver I would reconsider these other two outfits. Call the BBC and see if either of these two other places have a record of problems and if they resolved them.
    I do not know what you paid for your PAC, but new our PAC was more than I earn in a year. In fact it's the most expensive vehicle I have ever bought. I want to protect our investment and for me the Dealership is the only one I trust, but that's just my opinion. Be well.
 
farout

#531 of 838 Re: 02 sensor => related to 2005 recall? [drnager] by rhollis

Sep 17, 2008 (5:18 am)

Replying to: drnager (Sep 16, 2008 4:19 pm)
Looks as though you received "The Midas Touch".

#532 of 838 Re: 02 sensor => related to 2005 recall? [rhollis] by waterdr

Sep 18, 2008 (8:36 pm)

Replying to: rhollis (Sep 17, 2008 5:18 am)
Yo....nothing is more frustrating then a drivability problem.
 
I speak from experience. This is my advice:
 
1 - O2 sensors and modern car tuning is one of the most mis-understood areas of a modern car. If an O2 sensor is bad, especially the first bank, the car can run like total crap. O2 sensors send a voltage signal from .1 to 1.0 volts to the ecm which tells the computer if the car is running rich or lean. They are narrow-band senors, so they don't record a true air fuel ratio, but rather give the computer a "rich" or "lean" signal. The car then "learns" and adapts as you drive as the fuel injector are pulsed based on this signal. The sensors are used only to fine tune the a/f as the ECM has a built-in fuel table.
 
2 - ONLY use OEM O2 sensors and get them from the dealer. The quality of "off" brand or non-original sensors are not very good. Just ask any dyno-tuner. You won't find them anywhere but the delear.
 
3 - The PAC's are equipped with a drive by wire system. They don't use a throttle cable. This may be where your problem lies. Although, the car may not like the O2 sensor signal, so it could be preventing you from driving it to prevent damage to the motor. I can't say for sure, as I don't know the car well enough.
 
4 - You need someone who is good with tuning or diagnostics. You won't find this at Midas, Sears, Wallmart etc.... You either need to go to a dealer OR find a good local guy who owns his own shop with a good reputation for solving problems. The car needs to be road-tested or put on a dyno with a data-logger to find the problem. Only then will the tuner be able to read the O2 signal and will be able to see what is going on. Going to Auto-Zone or Midas only get's you in the ball-park as far as codes are concerned.
 
5 - If you are on a tight-budget, make sure they know that. There is nothing wrong with that. Most shops will work with folks and cut them breaks....not usually dealers though, but it is still worth a try.
 
6 - Any shop that sells fuel system cleaning services should not be trusted. IMO, no reputable shop or mechanic would sell those services. They are a scam.

#533 of 838 Re: [farout] by faschulz

Sep 19, 2008 (4:22 am)

Replying to: farout (Aug 25, 2008 3:18 pm)
Hi farout finally I took some time and take my PAC to the dealer again this time to the one y bought from my car this is the 7th time they will try to fix it, and they are changing the converter for second time in one year plus engine mounts etc..... I told the service advisor that will be the last time or want chrysler to buy back my car, I want to change it for an 08 PAC that seems to work just fine.
today my car is ready... I'll let you know.

#534 of 838 Re: 02 sensor => related to 2005 recall? [waterdr] by rhollis

Sep 19, 2008 (5:24 am)

Replying to: waterdr (Sep 18, 2008 8:36 pm)
I beg to differ. We have been using a MotorVac machine for years. This is done only after everything else has been checked. It makes a noticeable difference.

#535 of 838 Over it... by bulldozer

Oct 14, 2008 (6:48 pm)

Well, I'm back! At this point, I wish I could just get a replacement for my 07 PAC. After the torque converter replacement, I am still stuck with a whinning noise coming from the front at 50 MPH and above. I recently drove the car to Florida for a family vacation hoping that putting a few miles on it might help this situation. Wrong. The noise gets worse at freeway speeds, and the constant battle to correct the steering wheel constantly to the left practically had my wrists worn out! It is as if the only wheel that is pulling the car is the right front. The more gas you give it, the worse the pull. The most amazing amount of torque steer I have ever witnessed. And my wife's identical 07 PAC? Absolutely NO problems - No whining noise, No torque steer - NOTHING. Before my vacation, I practically begged my selling dealer to fix the problem. They had their "chief" service manager from another dealership they owned come and ride with me - a REAL scholar. He tried to tell me that as cars get older, parts on the front "move" causing wind noises that were not there before to be noticed.Anyone else out there fall off the turnip truck yesterday? At any rate, they kept the car a week, did not log a service ticket at all, never drove it from where I parked it - NOTHING. I even left 2 messages for the salesman that sold it to me, and HE never even returned my calls either. I am so fed up that I am just unsure what the next step should be. And a simple fact is that I will NEVER step foot in the selling dealership agian for ANY reason. I plan to call Chrysler and see what they might say, but the outlook is grim. Since when is getting an attorney involved ever been a positive solution? I won't even be able to afford that! This may be the last Chrysler product I ever own - a shame to hear from a person who's father had a Chrysler franchise for over 20 years! Keep you all posted.

Messages Page 54 of 85

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