First Problem with the car
 

So it has happened twice and I've had the car a week, at a dead stop, accellerate and then stop at the next set of lights after the transmission shifts through 3 gears, and then the check engine light starts flashing and binging, and the car starts to shutter, now the firts time it did this I was able to pull over, and shut the car completely down, waited 2-3 mins and fired it back up and the car ran fine, no check engine light on, and no shuttering. So yesterday I'm going back to work and I get to the corner to turn and the car does it again, this time I have to clear the intersection and the car has no power and a sound like there was a rapid firing air leak..... so I pulled off and again shut the car down, waited and started it up, and it fixed itself. Needless to say I get to the office and called my dealer for a service check.

I'm no mechanic but I'm thinking either 1 of 2 things - transmission shift sensor, or fuel system sensor? We'll see what the dealer says after a scan.

seemed odd, and the best part is I'm the first guy to have an oil change done on the Challenger and they don't even know how much it is???

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Yeah, that's strange. Let us know what they come up with. I just turned over 900 miles and have had no problems with my SE. Of course, I have my fingers crossed. ;)

RE: First Problem with the car
 

well the stealership just called, they cannot find any codes or any problems with the car, the service girl says she took my car for a "spirited" drive to get the problem to reoccur??? ok so now the service writter is joyriding in my car... anyways she says to me "are you sure it wasn't the ESP light" ....................................... now it doesn't take a genius to know the difference to a flashing ESP light or the engine block light...... so I tell her the Engine light on the far left side gauge console. She says "well you have the write light sir... but we can't find anything, it should have at least kept a code record.

I ask her about the oil change and she says she doesn't know how much it will be but they could do it if I wanted it..... wow needless to say I've called another dealership and they already know the issue, it's going there tomorrow.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Oh...one thing. Are you sure your gas cap is on tight? I know that sometimes, that can cause strange things to happen.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

I had that one time when my esp came on one tire started to spin. It also did it every time I was drag racing Andre, Shaky, Challygirl and the rest at the SRT thing in vegas some of the cars would shud down if a tire started to spin.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Since this is an SE thread, Budman, I doubt racing was the cause. :D

RE: First Problem with the car
 

hahaha hey now... the SXT although a 3.5 has been known to take down a few import rice eaters, but that aside, I checked the gas cap again and it's locked tight, so I'll drive it again and wait if it happens

RE: First Problem with the car
 

well yet another visit to the dealership this morning, check engine light flashed again last night after I left and again this morning on my way to to work, so I pulled into a nearby Dodge dealer and they are now under the hood looking, I think it is a sensor issue and hopefully this dealership will find it.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

I just thought, "Why would a Dodge dealer be open on Thanksgiving?" Then I remembered your name, canadiancanuck. ;) Yeah, I hope they find your problem, too. It's weird. Is this happening when the car is cold?

RE: First Problem with the car
 

haha, yeah we had our thanksgiving over a month ago.... but no it happens when the car is warm as well, I figured it was only doing this after filling up, but that is not the case as it happened last night and again this morning. When it rumbles and shakes it almost feels like it has a Hemi or a big block in it.... sounds cool but can't imagine it being good.... I figure faulty O2 sensor I think, or a bad injector?? we'll have to see

RE: First Problem with the car
 

I dont know what model you have, but if it has MDS, I'm betting that is the issue.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

well the dealership just called, so they couldn't replicate the problem, however the tech did find a fuel code, and noted a CRUCIAL PCM update had not been done - re: fuel curve, and did the upgrade, he said I should notice a HUGE difference in operation, and that this may be the issue that was causing me greif, essentially I was starving the car of fuel when I accelorated and teh new upgrade would resolve this issue, he did say that the previous dealership did not do a great PDI and didn't run any complinace software..... so needless to say this dealership has earned my business and the car will go there for any service work.

ohhh and side note, I asked how much an oil change was and they all replied $42.60 right off the bat hahahaha looks like these guys have their crap together. I called my sales guy and all he said was I'm sorry man, I wish we could have found it first?????? oh well....

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Well, at least you apparently have an answer and have found a competent dealer. :)

RE: First Problem with the car
 

WOW!!! what a difference, the upgrade did a HUGE world of good for the car, it runs amazing, not sure what the fule curve did but I had WAY better repsonse, and the car ran like it was meant to.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Uh....Andre....the thread is under the section headed:

Dodge Challenger SE
Threads specific to the Dodge Challenger SE should be placed here.


I'm betting he has an SE.

:D:D:D

RE: First Problem with the car
 

OK RG,
I see that NOW! lol

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Canadiancanuck- this problem you had sounds exactly like what my guy found on a brand new 09 and Chrysler was very aware of the problem..
this was on a 09 rt... chrysler tech support said that they had several toque converters from a supplier that had rust on them and were cleaned up with emery cloth..
they had us ship the complete trans to the engineers...if it happens again i would bet this is your problem...
thank god all of us that purchased 08s the cars are flawless....good luck.. Joani

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Yeah, Joani, it's that whole work-ethic thing. Back in the old days when the 08s were made, you had a thrifty working class building them instead of a discontented, lazy rabble like in the Amazing Future World of 2009. There was NEVER anything wrong with the 08s. ;)




[IMG]local://upfiles/148/3028E92E703E4A16BD2186C79BC0713D.jpg[/IMG]

RE: First Problem with the car
 

well it seems like I jumped the gun again, the check engine light went off again, this time it stayed on over night and through the weekend. I went out to start the car this morning and the light cleared itself....... so no chance the dealer can pull a code now. All I was told is if I can get it to go again, to bring it in and they can scan it. The upside is the new dealership totally understands what I am seeing and are just as baffled as I am whe it comes and goes. I will make a mention of the converter though Joani... thank you for that, it just may be the issue? I'm taking today off to get the code to throw and hopefully I can get to the dealership on time.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Did the car run strangely again or did the light just come on and everything else was OK?

RE: First Problem with the car
 

I'm a little confused in what you are saying the problem is. Is the engine itself running rough or is it that it shutters when you press the gas after a complete stop, having a pause where the engine revs then suddenly it jerks and moves?

If the engine itself is running rough, then I would recommend talking to people who have had 3.5Ls and asking them if they have ever encountered this before. I would go to our sister forum www.dodgeforum.com and ask as well over there. When doing this, you might want to ask in the 2nd generation Intrepid section as a 3.5L V6 question since these owners have had these models for a longer time and might have already experienced many of these issues. There are a few regulars over there who are very useful in that section.

If it is the second, then the problem is probably simple. The check engine light is likely crying wolf, while the transmission is trying to shift back down to first and hasn't had the time to get it done yet before you press the gas. This is a typical problem with Chrysler automatics and fortunately extremely easy to fix. Just use the gear shifter to shift it into "L" around 10mph, will force it to go into first and it will be ready to take off.

challygirl, I'm not sure how relevant the problem with the R/T's torque converters would be since the R/T and the SE have completely different transmissions. The SE has a Chrysler 42RLE, the R/T has a Mercedes W5A580.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

RLSH700

when I accelerate from a stop, the car changes through the gears, but when I start to slow to a stop the check engine light flashes and chimes, when I get to complete stop, the car idles rough and the car shakes. WHen I step on the gas at that point it feels like the car is running on 4 cylinders and I can here what I think is a misfire/loud clicking tyoe of noise. I pull off the road, turn the car off and wait a minute and then restart the car and the car isles and runs fine, and the engine light clears itself?

RE: First Problem with the car
 

What RPM is the engine running at when it is acting up like this? My old Intrepid did something similar. If the symptoms are similar, I might be able to have an answer.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

the car ran rough as the light went on and the chime sounded, I turned the car off and started it back up and the car ran fine, yet the check engine light stayed on, car ran fine throughout the weekend and the light remained, it suddenly cleared itself like the car knew it was headed to the dealer. Kinda like a dog knowing it's going to the vet??? anyways, techline says the car is still learning and could be this way for the first 5000kms... so we'll see, car has handled great and power is there so maybe it's just learning and burning off all the new engine oil coatings and crap??

RE: First Problem with the car
 

What was the weather like before, during, and after it acted this way? I know it sounds strange, but this might be the key to the problem. Also, what gas were you running in it?

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Someone sent me to your post. I have a new 09 R/T with 6 speed stick . 2500 miles on it. It didn't start when I first turned the key at the post office today . I'm used to the tip start on the 07 Ram I traded on it . So I turned the key again and it started. But when pulling out and shifting 2nd gear . The engine just sort of choked up and shut down . I turned the key off and clutched it . And hit the flasher's . It restarted but ran rough for a few second's . I drove to a parking lot and called the local dealer . And they said was ok to drive if light wasn't flashing on and off . They look at first thing tomorrow morning . I had doctor appointment's later in the day . So I drove about 60 miles to my VA hospital I go to. After being there a few hour's I came out . Started the car and the light didn't come on as it had stayed on going there. Hope they can tell me more in the morning. Don't like this at all.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

RLSH007 - car is running Mid Grade fuel, only 2 tanks put in, first from the dealership and my most recent which was Wednesday evening. weather conditions are mild temps, -2C to +11C so normal to average temps.


So at the dealership, the car rolls in rumbling like a jack hammer, first thing the tech sees is a misfire. so he runs the diagnosis and gets no default code but a misfire in cyl #2. Turns car off and restarts and car runs fine, pulls the connector off the coil for #2 and the car shudders, thinks maybe it's a bad PCM. I leave it overnight.

The service dept. calls me today and advises me they found carbon build up on #2 and #4 plugs, and cyclinders #2 slight carbon, and #4 MAJOR build up. They have replaced the cylinders and coils on #2 & #4 and have ordered a new PCM which may be 1-8weeks from the US. So I'm, without a car for that long....

She says you do need to service these cars, to prevent this type of build up as this is signs of missed services?? I tell her I've owned the car for 2 weeks now and have only 1800kms on it, she pauses and says OMG really.... that sucks. I said you guys are doing an oil change on it as well, and she says oh....... I'm starting to lose my composer with the car and Dodge. Next is a call to Dodge Canada.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Oh, man, that's bad news, canadiancanuck. [:o]

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Thought I'd pass this along . My R/T with 6 speed stumbled and engine died with engine check light on . And stayed on most of the day till finally going off after driving 60 miles and getting in the car to go home after several hour's at the VA hospital for doctor appointment . Dealer looked at it this morning . Had a code for engine crank sensor . Was told was a TSB on the issue and to reset the first time . It run's fine now . But expect it to happen again .

RE: First Problem with the car
 

thing is it's a new car and more and more electronics to go wrong, it's going to happen whether I like it or not, the only positive side is it's warrantied and I'll keep using warranty while it's still available.

The dealership just called back, they seem to feel that they have taken car of the problem by replacing the coils and plugs, and they noted the fuel curve was riched right out, so they reflashed the PCM? their doing the oilchange right now and going for another road test. Hopefully that fixes it??

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Yeah, but the thing that gets me is the carbon buildup at that low mileage (or, in your case, kilomeratage, I guess). Do they have any idea what caused that? And what's to keep that from happening again?

RE: First Problem with the car
 

well that's what gets me.... is this going to be an on going thing? if it is going to keep happening I'm going to see to it that dodge either fixes the car or provides a free extened warranty. i'm hoping the PCM reflash resets the fuel curve so it won't run rich, so I'm not holding my breath but I just want it fixed so that I can enjoy the car. It has spent more time at the dealership than on the road.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Man this is too strange. Hope you get her back soon.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Yeah, I was thinking it was probably a coil/electrical related problem. I just needed to have all the other possible odd possibilities cleared first. The there is definately an ignition problem. You might want to find a different dealer as they sound incompetent. When ever someone who has a clue gets this fixed, it should be fine. These engines are a good design.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Torque converter staying locked up when stopping loading up engine when stopping???????????

RE: First Problem with the car
 

I think your dealership is making excuses for spending time behind the wheel "checkin it out"........Maybe it is just too cold and it needs a warmer, more arid climate[sm=shades.gif]

RE: First Problem with the car
 

I remember some talk about rusty torque converters delaying production on some cars... :eek:

RE: First Problem with the car
 

**UPDATE**

So as most of you knew, the car went back in again last Friday, again the misfire was happening and yet again, no fault code thrown. The tech that has been looking at the car walked by and shook his head, the guy got mad??? He yells for the service manager to come out into the service bay and he proceeds to raise his voice at the manager and actually backed me up. He started with "see... this is what the F&^% I'm talking about... the owner who is standing right here isn't on crack.... this is what he has brought this car in 6 times for", so now the service manager is watching the car shake and sputter, says "go grab your computer and lets get the code". SO the tech who is shaking his head goes and hooks up the car and the service manager is beside himself scratching his head and too his amazement (and it was like caveman inventing fire here) states... "OMG there isn't a code that's odd"... the tech who I think at this time was ready to hit the manager pipes up and says, "I can't trace this, I can duplicate the issue but the car doesn't throw a code", and proceeds to do his coil trick, disconnecting and reconnecting the coil connector, the car shudders and then idles fine with no code.... so the manager says "we'll have to find the problem, I can't just throw parts at it....." at this point the tech is ready to snap, storms off to the control tower and comes back with a stack of work orders and slams them on the counter and says..... "6 times... this poor guy has been in, 6 f*&$^% times.... I think it's time we throw parts at it to fix this!!!!" and he exits the bay. I was standing there like I had just witnessed a fight between Mike Tyson and a 3yr old in a wet diaper with a waterballoon that just TKO'd Tyson..... it was priceless. The manager then looks at me and apologizes and tells me that he thought I was making this up and that there was NO WAY a car wouldn't throw a code...... but he wants the car to diagnose...... I told him I had enough with the crap and that if he wasn't going to order the PCM like stated from day 1 after I diagnosed misfires than I would be calling Chrylser Canada and demanding my money back for the car.... and I left the dealership.

SO I get to my office and call Chrysler, I am put through to the Western Regional Service/Parts Manager and plead my case, he calls the dealership and gets the WO's and calls me back and the only words out of his mouth were " ok, I've sent the PCM, new coils, new plugs and new cylinders for Friday, so we have you booked at he dealership... I'm sorry this has been an issue and if you have any other problems here is my cell phone #.

The tech calls me at work and apologizes for his behavior and I was surprised, I told him that I was impressed with his stand and well I have parts coming... he was stunned as after I left the GM of the dealership hauled this service manager into an office and reamed him out after the call from this Western guy. So hopefully this will resolve the problem. The car is booked for the service this Friday.

Sorry for the novel but man if I could have video'd this episode I'd have posted it, you had to be there.

RE: First Problem with the car
 

Too bad you couldn't video it. That would have been classic to see! :D

RE: First Problem with the car
 

since posting that, I've had a rep from Chrysler Canada call me to confirm the parts, and book in time for Friday. The Service manager called me to confirm the parts are in transit and they are tracking them daily, If I need a rental car fo rthe afternoon rather than shuttle, and if ANY issues should pop up they will be making any and all arrangments to keep me happy.