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Dodge Magnum Transmission Issues

70 messages,  Last post on Dec 18, 2012 at 12:39 PM

You are in the Dodge Magnum Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Magnum, Transmission, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 8

#8 of 70 Re: Dodge Magnum: Problems & Solutions [pf_flyer] by discustomer

Aug 22, 2006 (5:27 am)

We just purchased a 2006 RT AWD Magnum. A couple of days after driving it we noticed it wasn't shifting properly. Took it to the garage in Manassas 14 days ago. They won't replace the transmission - they are taking it apart piece by piece to try and find the problem.
We've contacted the customer service hot line but the person answering the phone won't give his last name nor let us talk to a supervisor. He was very rude.
I've emailed DR.Z - got a "we really don't care attitude" email back.
I'm so mad that I wish I had never bought this car! We're making payments on a BRAND NEW car and can't even drive it and have no idea when and IF we ever will be able to!
We've owned 6 Chryslers in the past 14 years. Some new some old. Have had problems with a few but have always had good customer service. I'm so disappointed in the way this particular cars problems have been handled that I'm thinking about returning it.

#9 of 70 Re: Dodge Magnum: Problems & Solutions [discustomer] by scarab22

Aug 22, 2006 (7:19 am)

Replying to: discustomer (Aug 22, 2006 5:27 am)
Things did get worse, from the shifting to a grinding noise. Between 35-40 mph, when the car shifts from 3rd to 4th, the rpm go way down (3000k to 1500K -- as you would expect), but then I would get a nasty grinding noise/vibration. Also when driving 65mph and rpms around 2K +/- you could see the needle pulsing up and down, ie something was slipping. Sorry for the all of the detail. Anyway the fix ( I hope) was a new tourque converter. Mine had moister and water and God knows what else. Only took 2 weeks to get the car fixed -- what a joke. They said there is a service paper so I cannot believe that Dr. Z could not found it.
 
It is a shame a car with such nice lines has to have these types of problems.
 
Being your car is new I would look into the Lemon Laws ASAP.
 
Hope this helps

#10 of 70 Re: Dodge Magnum: Problems & Solutions [scarab22] by chrissyc

Sep 25, 2006 (1:33 pm)

Replying to: scarab22 (Aug 22, 2006 7:19 am)
Sounds like the same problem I had. I am on visit #3 for transmission problems. The 2nd visit they found water in the transmission and replaced it and now a few thousand miles later the tranny fluid is leaking. I am very frustrated with this car and all the problems.

#11 of 70 Re: Dodge Magnum: Problems & Solutions [scarab22] by radamo

Oct 05, 2006 (3:15 pm)

Replying to: scarab22 (Aug 22, 2006 7:19 am)
I think I might be experiencing the same problem when I go up a hill the car makes a grinding/slipping sound. Is this what you experienced and if so how was it fixed. The service guy checked the transmission and everything was ok. I would be grateful for any feed back.

#12 of 70 Re: Dodge Magnum: Problems & Solutions [radamo] by scarab22

Oct 05, 2006 (4:18 pm)

Replying to: radamo (Oct 05, 2006 3:15 pm)
The best way I can explain is that it sounds like I am running over rumble strips on the highway ( the groves on I95 just outside of the white line. This is to warn you if you doze off and go over the line).
 
Pay close attention to the RPMS and which gear you are in when it happen ( mine was from 3rd 3000k rps, to 4'th around 1500 rpms)
 
Try to connect all of the links together, it was detailed as it happen.
 
There is a repair paper that Dodge should have. I will try to locate
 
Good luck

#13 of 70 Re: Magnum RT Shuddering & Vibration - UPDATE by toalgang

Oct 16, 2006 (12:30 pm)

An update on my issue. We may have FINALLY found a fix! Thanks to this message board and lots of research, my problem and fix are right on the money with the other people who have had this same issue/fix. (See posts #1777, #1778, #1779.) A BIG, BIG thanks to those guys who posted their stories - which I believe in the long run, saved me time, money, dealership headaches, and trouble!
 
"I purchased my 2006 Magnum RT about a month ago with 18k miles. Started noticing the bad vibration - only way I can describe is like when you're on the highway and you get too close to the side and the grooves in the road make your car vibrate. That's what my Magnum does and it almost seems as if it is having a hard time switching gears. ...The problem has progressively become worse - especially in the last few weeks of holiday driving...."
 
UPDATE: So I took it BACK to the dealership and told them what I had found on this message board and the TSB - Tech Service Bulletin. The service manager looked into the TSB and said that was possibly the cause. Before leaving my car with them, I made that same service manager sit in the passanger seat while I took him down the service road and highway - just so he could see, it was in the CAR, not my HEAD.
Since the dealership reluctantly agreed to put me in a rental, they had my car in and out in about 3 business days. Verbatim from the invoice, here is what the dealership performed on my Magnum:
 
-------------------------------------
Problem: ESP and BAS lights on
Fix: Replaced the Steering wheel angle sensor. Replaced SAS
 
Problem: Transmission shudders/vibrates
Fix: ***UNDER TSB 385 WP40***
Replaced filter and o-rings
Replaced o-ring adaptor plug
Replaced filter - transmission oil
Replaced oil - automatic transmission
Replaced hose - 1ft. fuel and vapor
 
T-Conv Shudder: flushed transmission, replaced filter and tube seal, then road test.
 
During transmission diagnosis - noticed rear differential leaking fluid. Replaced ALL seal, axle shaft oil as per TSB 385 WP40. Axle seals leaking, R&R Rear Diff & replaced axle seals.
-------------------------------------
 
The service manager told me the rear axel leak was causing the vibration. He also said they replaced the torque converter? I never found that in any of my paperwork...
 
The first time I had it in the shop for the ESP & BAS lights, they replaced the Clockspring/Steering angle sensor. Apparently this didn't work or the new switch was faulty, because the lights came back on by the time the dealership delivered my vehicle to my house, straight from the service department.
 
After all that and two trips into the service department totalling over 2.5 weeks in-shop, I can finally say my Magnum is performing well. No more noticable shuddering or vibration. We have recently (and finally!) had some rain here in Dallas, so I guess that will be a good test to find out if all my seals are in working order. My only complaints now? The car pulling to the right - which I have read is normal? Suppose I'd better have the tires rotated every other oil change. Last but not least, the best gas mileage I can get carpooling kids and running to the grocery store is 16.8 mpg. Highway best - 21mpg. I guess that's the price you pay for having that AWESOME Hemi - oh, and a lead foot.
 
Good luck to you all.
 
Stephanie and her "Bad Mama Mobile"
Dallas, Texas

#14 of 70 Re: Magnum RT Shuddering & Vibration - UPDATE [toalgang] by stroguy

Nov 03, 2006 (3:16 pm)

Replying to: toalgang (Oct 16, 2006 12:30 pm)
Can you tell me the build date on your car. It is listed on the driver door jamb on the sticker. I am having this issue and the dealer will not budge at doing this under warranty.
 
Thanks
 
Randy

#15 of 70 Re: Dodge Magnum: Problems & Solutions [chrissyc] by stroguy

Nov 03, 2006 (5:34 pm)

Replying to: chrissyc (Sep 25, 2006 1:33 pm)
What was the build date on your car? Look at the driver door jamb sticker for the date please. I am in serious bind with mine trying to get warranty work. Thanks a bunch.
 
Randy

#16 of 70 Re: Dodge Magnum: Problems & Solutions [stroguy] by toalgang

Dec 31, 2006 (9:51 pm)

Replying to: stroguy (Nov 03, 2006 5:34 pm)
Sorry for the delay in reply. The label says 02-2005. Hope this helps. My ESP/BAS lights are still coming on. This problem has been addressed and supposedly fixed a couple times now. Who knows. Best of luck to you.
 
Stephanie

#17 of 70 Magnum/tranny/Sirius by thescoots

Jan 01, 2007 (12:17 pm)

I'm a new mbr and will be purchasing a '06 Magnum SXT/3.5. Forum is helpful but not much on '06 models; could also be more specific i.e. tranny 4spd vs.5spd. Regarding some trnny prblms-shuddering shifts w/42RLE auto trans? TSB 21-006-04 states h20 contamination caused by faulty bushing where fill tube enters the case. There's a new bushing/fill tube to be added, w/transmission flush to replace contaminated ATF+4. I'm a Sirius subsriber, x2. Reception or sound quality problems might be fixed by 're-booting' the unit. Call Sirius Tech support for info. Will stay tuned. Look forward to forum.

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