mechanical-idiot

So, it started knocking again today.  +2 Celcius.  I immediately went to the Dodge dealer.  The  Service and Parts Advisor took it for a drive and he immediately said that he could hear and feel it.  He said it wasn't something normal.  I have made an appointment for the morning to have it put on a hoist etc.  The Transmission, drivetrain guy is going to take a look at it.
 
He was thinking transmission.  I spoke to a mechanic and he said that it was likely not the transmission, but more than likely a differential/transfer case issue, but he was totally  unfamiliar with Dodge vehicles.
 
I will keep you posted.  I pray to God that it is not something expensive.
 
mechanical-idiot

So, the rear wiper quit working.  Then it started working when backing up!  So, I spoke to my Dodge maniac friend who said it was likely a wiring problem in the lift gate wiring harness.  He came over and pried the rubber cover off the wiring harness and their was a broken wire and another wire that was bare (break in outer cover) in the wiring harness.  Looks like there were lots of sparks in there because the wire covers were singed on several other wires.  He fixed the problem for me with some solder,  wire and shrink tube.  Cost me a couple of beers, which I consider a pretty cheap fix compared to the 70 dollar an hour charge at the dealer.
 
Thought I might let others know about this in case it is helpful to them.  You people likely know about this, but I couldn't find it in a search of the form.  Maybe I was not putting in the correct search criteria.
 
In any event, I hope this helps somebody else out.
 
mechanical-idiot.
2012 Journey
 
 

Fred, you forgot to take the price tag off that fish!  LOL!
 
mechanical-idiot

It never hurts to do preventive maintenance.  It is cheaper to change the transmission fluid than to change the transmission.  Go ahead and do it.
 
The coolant is extremely poisonous to animals.  Make sure that you do not have any of it on the driveway or garage floor.  Your pets love the taste of it.  Only problem is that it kills them.  It is also bad for children.  Be careful.  It is recyclable.  Just needs to be cleaned.  Any radiator repair shop will probably accept it.  If it was my vehicle, I would take it to a shop and have it flushed.  That way it cleans all the sludge out of the system.  Might as well get it done right and not have to worry about disposing of the material.
 
Good luck.
 
mechanical-idiot

The clock spring is part of the steering angle sensor.  I just replaced mine.  Cost about 600 bucks Canadian at the dealer.  3 hours to put in.  Not cheap.  The sensor was screwed, but the buttons and horn still worked. 
 
mechanical-idiot

https://www.youcanic.com/wiki/clock-spring
 
One of the failure symptoms is a rubbing sound inside the cabin behind the steering wheel.  Sounds like your problem.
 
mechanical-idiot

just turned 93 k on my 2014 i just had them change the plugs and do a coolant service on it ,cheap insurance as fluid for 5 yrs  old and high miles just needs changing....have it done for your own piece of mind

My feeling is that it may be the return spring on the pedal.  Maybe just taking the spring off and reinstalling or replacing the spring would be enough to change whatever is causing the squeak.  I'd try that before taking it anywhere...  Good Luck.
 
Peace.  

I have a 2009 journey 155,000 miles. SXT AWD.
Had noise in front end for years. Replaced everything. Struts, lower control arms with bushings, lower ball joints, brake calipers,  mount brackets, brake hoses, pads and rotors. Replaced stabilizer bushings and links. Tie rod ends still good. I finally figured it out. The stabilizer bar was hitting the crossmember on the inside of the mount. A retaining part of the bar is what was hitting. Made a 3/16 inch shim under the mounts and bracket. Had I aligned today and is finally like new. 

long shot but the new battery could also be bad have them do a load test on it before continuing with this problem, check all the connections and the ground going from the starter

Since you live in the Great Lakes region, you probably should get a battery with the highest cold cranking amps that you can.  I would recommend that you get group size 86 which is about 590 CCA.  You bought group size 25 which is only 525 CCA.  
 
The battery is not hard to change, it is just a bit of a pain in the arse.  Youtube has videos on it.  It is not rocket appliances!  LOL!
 
mechanical-idiot

I hate CR as much as the president does.  I really do.  They really really suck.  They truly do.  It's tremendous that you people realize that they are pushing fake news.  It really is.  They are such a bunch of losers.  They really are.  I heard that a lot of Mexicans are working there.  They should be working in the Chrysler plant in Amexico building Journeys.  They really should.
This forum will make the Journey's reputation great again.  It really will.  We have no secrets here on this forum.  We really don't, and we are going to prove it to the American people.  The Mexicans at CR can push their fake news, but they will have to push it over the wall.  They really will.
 
I hear that Putin drives a Journey.  Isn't that amazing?  It really is.  It's tremendous.  Nobody drives the Honda Pilot in Russia.  They really don't.  The Pilot is getting fat.  It really is.  It is such a fat loser.  I am not a Honda racist.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  I just think they are losers.  They really are.
 
CR - It's really great, it's wonderful, it's amazing to drive the Journey.  It really is.
 
mechanical-idiot
 
 
 
 

Or, just don't take any advice at all and let it be.  Then buy one of these emblems from Ebay and put it right below the Journey emblem on the back of the vehicle:
 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/REDNECK-EDITION-PAIR-CAR-EMBLEMS-Chrome-Metal-Badges-suit-CHEVY-SILVERADO-NEW/400885638670?hash=item5d56a5660e:g:MAUAAOSwAYtWM9Wc
 
LOL!  I am being facetious!
 
Take 2late4u's advice and get it looked at.  The dealer obviously couldn't find the problem.  It does not mean that a problem does not exist.  I will guarantee you that you do have a problem and it is probably the viscous unit.
 
Good luck with it and please keep us posted.
 
mechanical-idiot

Or, just don't take any advice at all and let it be.  Then buy one of these emblems from Ebay and put it right below the Journey emblem on the back of the vehicle:
 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/REDNECK-EDITION-PAIR-CAR-EMBLEMS-Chrome-Metal-Badges-suit-CHEVY-SILVERADO-NEW/400885638670?hash=item5d56a5660e:g:MAUAAOSwAYtWM9Wc
 
LOL!  I am being facetious!
 
Take 2late4u's advice and get it looked at.  The dealer obviously couldn't find the problem.  It does not mean that a problem does not exist.  I will guarantee you that you do have a problem and it is probably the viscous unit.
 
Good luck with it and please keep us posted.
 
mechanical-idiot

LOL take it to a qualified transmission service place as YOU have something WRONG

Always change the filter as well.  For best results use the proper Mopar filter straight from the dealer.  Don't use anything else.
 
I let the dealer do the dirty work for me.
 
mechanical-idiot

That is a normal price for this type of repair.  Five and a half hours for labor is high.  My guy did mine in less than 3 hours.  Your guy must be a bit slow.  Some dealerships like to have their mechanics "busy" .
 
Glad it now works for you.  It is not fun having problems like this, but when you own a vehicle (any vehicle) shit happens.
 
Best of luck with it.  Keep us posted.
 
This forum is a free educational institution for the Dodge Journey.  I have learned so much from the people here.  Use it as a source of information as often as you can.
 
Thank you for your follow up with this topic.  It is so nice to see people report back on what fixed their vehicle, as it ultimately helps other in the long run.
 
mechanical-idiot

I hate CR as much as the president does.  I really do.  They really really suck.  They truly do.  It's tremendous that you people realize that they are pushing fake news.  It really is.  They are such a bunch of losers.  They really are.  I heard that a lot of Mexicans are working there.  They should be working in the Chrysler plant in Amexico building Journeys.  They really should.
This forum will make the Journey's reputation great again.  It really will.  We have no secrets here on this forum.  We really don't, and we are going to prove it to the American people.  The Mexicans at CR can push their fake news, but they will have to push it over the wall.  They really will.
 
I hear that Putin drives a Journey.  Isn't that amazing?  It really is.  It's tremendous.  Nobody drives the Honda Pilot in Russia.  They really don't.  The Pilot is getting fat.  It really is.  It is such a fat loser.  I am not a Honda racist.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  I just think they are losers.  They really are.
 
CR - It's really great, it's wonderful, it's amazing to drive the Journey.  It really is.
 
mechanical-idiot
 
 
 
 

One of the dumbest statements I’ve heard all week came from someone with a 6 year old car crying because something broke, but i’ve had a slow week.

Consumer reports is fake news. 

That is a normal price for this type of repair.  Five and a half hours for labor is high.  My guy did mine in less than 3 hours.  Your guy must be a bit slow.  Some dealerships like to have their mechanics "busy" .
 
Glad it now works for you.  It is not fun having problems like this, but when you own a vehicle (any vehicle) shit happens.
 
Best of luck with it.  Keep us posted.
 
This forum is a free educational institution for the Dodge Journey.  I have learned so much from the people here.  Use it as a source of information as often as you can.
 
Thank you for your follow up with this topic.  It is so nice to see people report back on what fixed their vehicle, as it ultimately helps other in the long run.
 
mechanical-idiot

I have had both a Dodge Journey and a subscription to Consumer Reports. I am very happy with the Journey and have no intention to replace it. I found the magazine to be clueless, unreliable, and biased. I dropped it years ago.

You might want to get a set of rotors as well, just in case they are in need of replacement.  You can always save them for the next time, or take them back if you don't need them.  That way if you change them in the evening or on the weekend, you are not up shit creek without a paddle (or without brakes in this case).
 
mechanical-idiot

When the dealer mechanic checks the codes, he or she should be able to tell you if the cluster is the next possible suspect (providing that the BCM is not the culprit).  You can get them to diagnose the problem, you don't have to get them to fix it.  You just pay for the diagnosis.  Most of them are good to help and give some advice.  They know the vehicle and they have seen most of the problems before.  The codes will tell them and you what is wrong.  Get a printout of the codes.
 
Best of luck
 
mechanical-idiot
 

first have your battery checked at your local part store have them do a load check, low batteries can cause crazy things to happen to the electronics, now since you said this has been going on for a month it could be your cluster going bad or maybe some loose wires behind it shorting out, hard to say for sure. good luck but get that battery checked first since its a free check