tool6996 Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 Has anyone experienced alot of shifting from 6th to 5th and back again on the highway? With is a AWD R/T and this happens on relatively flat roads and with the cruise on or off. I put it in autostick normally to stop this behavior but of course the wife doesn't. So before I put a service call in I wanted to see what the masses thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hit-By-Thunder Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 Has anyone experienced alot of shifting from 6th to 5th and back again on the highway? With is a AWD R/T and this happens on relatively flat roads and with the cruise on or off. I put it in autostick normally to stop this behavior but of course the wife doesn't. So before I put a service call in I wanted to see what the masses thought. hmmmmmmmmmm we don't have ours yet but I don't like the shifting from 5-6-5-6-5-6 etc, Constant hunting = Too much heat =Hot Tranny=Early failure I'll be watching this thread for sure. Thanks Tool6996 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stl_hemi Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 What speeds does it do this at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hit-By-Thunder Posted April 26, 2008 Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 What speeds does it do this at? Highway speeds so I would figure 55-60 MPH or 95-105KPH????? Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larryl Posted April 26, 2008 Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 So far mine does not "hunt" shifts beautifully-it is one tight vehicle & extremely quite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stl_hemi Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 You could be inbetween gears basically. Not high enough in 6th gears rpm range to mantain the speed. My Ram won't shift from 4th to OD untill I hit 57mph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tool6996 Posted April 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2008 It happens between 55-65 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kconnors Posted April 28, 2008 Report Share Posted April 28, 2008 tool6996, I would take it back to the dealer and have them check it out. This is a new transmission and it should run smoothly at a fixed speed without hunting and in fact one of the selling points is the smooth and quiet transmission and cabin. I'm sure it is just an adjustment but it's not your problem so take it back and pick it up only when your're happy that it has been adjusted correctly. They may even put a new transmission in since this one is so new and few techs have any experience with them. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joekris1 Posted May 23, 2008 Report Share Posted May 23, 2008 we have about 500 miles on our SXT/AWD and have not noticed any unusual patterns. It is very smooth and quiet. I have noticed that the quicker and harded you accelerate at crusing speed may cause the transmission to downshift 2 gears instead of 1 but nothing different than what I would have suspected. We will continue to watch for this issue. tool6996 did you learn anything form the dealer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W_A_Watson_II Posted August 19, 2008 Report Share Posted August 19, 2008 Same problem on my R/T FWD. When not towing and traveling 60 MPH a small incline will cause it to rev the engine up from 1,500 RPM to about 2,500 RPM. Same thing when towing but even the slightest change in road incline causes the same RPM change. If when it rev's up I kick the AutoStick in, the dash states it's in 6th, and if I slap it down to 5th, the RPM's go higher before settling down a little lower. So I don't think it's down shifting, just un-locking the torque converter. It seems to me that the torque converter clutch is disengaging allowing the engine to rev up rather than down shifting. So I would expect this kind of pattern to actually "burn" up the tranny, so I'm a little concerned (yes it has a life time power train warranty). It's less of an issue with out the cruse engaged, but I drive two straight central IL roads so not using the cruse is asking for trouble. Transaxle: 62TE/62TEA, Automatic Six-speed Overdrive Availability 62TE Standard with FWD 3.5L engine (United States and Canada and 2.7L engine outside North America) 62TEA Standard with AWD 3.5L engine Description Six-speed, adaptive electronic control and electronically modulated torque converter clutch Gear Ratios 1st 4.127 2nd 2.842 3rd 2.283 4th 1.452 — Upshift 1.570 — WOT kickdown 5th 1.00 6th 0.690 Reverse 3.214 Transfer Ratio 0.95 Final Drive Ratio 3.43 Overall Top Gear 2.248 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W_A_Watson_II Posted August 20, 2008 Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 Is anyone else experiencing the over sensitive cruise control causing the higher RPM's to maintain speed with out down shifting? It sure seems the Tranny is either too high of a 6th gear, or the cruise is too tight in holding the speed. I'd bet the MPG would be better if the speed variability while the cruise is engaged would be opened up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tool6996 Posted August 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2008 I'm still experiencing it and just passed it off as normal for this engine since no one else has replied Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NiceTrip Posted August 21, 2008 Report Share Posted August 21, 2008 I'm still experiencing it and just passed it off as normal for this engine since no one else has replied I see the exact some thing - and at least in my case it is definitely mostly going in and out of torque converter lockup, and only rarely downshifting to 5th gear. As far as cause goes, I wouldn't say that the cruise is trying to hold the speed too tight so much as the transmission is too quick to break out of lockup. It should allow you to give it a bit of gas while staying locked up, even if it means a bit less response to throttle input. As it is now, if the cruise control (or your foot) adds just a small amount of throttle to maintain speed on a slight incline, it will slip out of lockup, allowing the engine to increase revs (and thus available torque). IMHO, the TC shouldn't unlock unless you give it at least 20-25% throttle, or it is really starting to lug. I'm also seeing odd shifting in the 1->2 and 2->3 shifts, under light throttle. When it's time for a shift, it feels like someone is doing a very un-coordinated shift with a manual - throttle off....depress clutch...change gears...release clutch...throttle on, with a distinct pause between each step. As a result, there is a definite feel of deceleration during the gear change that lasts about a half to a full second. Anyone else seeing this phenomenon? It is much less noticeable under moderate acceleration, and gone completely under aggressive acceleration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canada_Jay Posted August 21, 2008 Report Share Posted August 21, 2008 NiceTrip, I am getting the pause issue from 2-3rd mainly. Too long and deceleration....feels like a Manual shift. No fix yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tool6996 Posted August 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2008 Everything you guys described is exactly what i have been experiencing since day one. Almost at 7k now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W_A_Watson_II Posted August 22, 2008 Report Share Posted August 22, 2008 NiceTrip, good observations and clarifications. I hope Dodge releases a fix (computer update) for this, or we might have to rely upon the aftermarket chip guys to give us a fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
class6kayak Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 Has anyone experienced alot of shifting from 6th to 5th and back again on the highway? With is a AWD R/T and this happens on relatively flat roads and with the cruise on or off. I put it in autostick normally to stop this behavior but of course the wife doesn't. So before I put a service call in I wanted to see what the masses thought. I have had this problem since about 3,000 miles. I have had it at the dealer ship several times and they say the computer shows no prblem. When the sales person drove the Journey he said that it was not right and they should do something about it. 4 trips and two dealerships later no help from Dodge. Mine also will slip between 1 and second and hit hard into second when it decides to change even at coasting speeds. I was told to drive it till it breaks and then bring it back. I hope it doesn't cause a wreak and someone getting hurt before dodge will fix my brand new Journey. I wish they would buy it back from me. Salesman told me to get a lawyer and go for the Lemon Law. Two different Dodge Dealerships said they would buy my $28 Journey back from me at $16k. What do you think yours is worth? I hate the Journey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tool6996 Posted September 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Hate is a little harsh for one issue... Mine is still happening and I have 8k on mine. I know it's going to be annoying when/if it breaks but I know it's fully covered too so whats the big deal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JabberJaw Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 I haven't noticed odd shifting but I agree on the torque converter lockup. It will use any excuse it can to unlock. The slightest grade will do it. It does seem overly sensitive. An observation on the shifting. I have an 06 Ram 1500 with the 5 speed auto and Hemi. The transmission is programmed to shift exactly as described in an earlier post. Under light throttle you would swear someone was shifting a standard. The engine backs off while the shift is made. It's not nearly as noticable if you get onto it. They say it's done to take the torque off the transmission during the shift. I wonder if it may be the same thing in the Journey but it is more pronounced in certain transmissions? Either way we are quite happy with the Journey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
class6kayak Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 I see the exact some thing - and at least in my case it is definitely mostly going in and out of torque converter lockup, and only rarely downshifting to 5th gear. As far as cause goes, I wouldn't say that the cruise is trying to hold the speed too tight so much as the transmission is too quick to break out of lockup. It should allow you to give it a bit of gas while staying locked up, even if it means a bit less response to throttle input. As it is now, if the cruise control (or your foot) adds just a small amount of throttle to maintain speed on a slight incline, it will slip out of lockup, allowing the engine to increase revs (and thus available torque). IMHO, the TC shouldn't unlock unless you give it at least 20-25% throttle, or it is really starting to lug. I'm also seeing odd shifting in the 1->2 and 2->3 shifts, under light throttle. When it's time for a shift, it feels like someone is doing a very un-coordinated shift with a manual - throttle off....depress clutch...change gears...release clutch...throttle on, with a distinct pause between each step. As a result, there is a definite feel of deceleration during the gear change that lasts about a half to a full second. Anyone else seeing this phenomenon? It is much less noticeable under moderate acceleration, and gone completely under aggressive acceleration. I get the same problem with my transmission. I have had it at two different dealerships several times each. The only thing they could tell me was to drive it till it breaks because it's the same transmission they use in several cars and they have always had problems out of them. This was the transmission specialist at the dodge dealership in Chattanooga, tn. I get on average about 16.8 mpg on the hwy because of back and forth shifting from 5th to 6th. It doesn't matter if the cruise is on or off. I wish there were a dealership with a service department that could fix the Journey and not just blame it on a bad design. Also I have had my power steering system replaced and that problem wasn't fixed either. Good luck with yours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonymnyphot Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 My Journey ($24000 taxes in) has 12000kms on it, and is a blast to drive, most of the time. It has had the odd shifting between second and third for about 6000kms. Dealer said tranny not showing any codes and they did not notice it during the test drive, and they have logged it. Another problem I have noticed is while cruising anywhere between 70 and 120 km/h or during brisk acceleration it seems like a cylinder or two are misfiring. At first I thought it was my imagination or just the road surface but found it was much more pronounced when the engine is cold, (-5 C near Toronto right now). Will probably get the same song and dance from them when I report this one. I bet they will want me to leave it over night and then try to charge me for a rental! I had high hopes that Chrysler had finally solved their tranny issues, but I guess I was wrong. Glad I leased it for 2 years rather than buying it, this is my 8th and final Dodge. I love the way they look and drive, the innovative features they have, but unfortunately the "cheap" price continually proves to be false economy due to the amount of repairs needed. My 2004 Corolla LE ($24000 taxes in) has 182000 kms on it and has had total repair costs of $8, with 1 recall for window bolts. I don't abuse it but I don't baby it either. It still has the original rear brakes and front rotors, I replaced the pads at 120000 kms and still have the originals as they have 3/16" of material on them! It is not perfect mind you, I had the door and window seals replaced 4 times under warranty for wind noise which is still there on the passenger rear door, but it has never hesitated to start, felt like it was misfiring or couldn't make up its mind about what gear to be in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonymnyphot Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Disappearing problems? Thankfully the transmission seems to have settled down, no more wacky shifting between 2nd and 3rd. The "missfire" has also cleared up, I'm starting to really like this vehicle again. I wonder if the dealer did some undocumented work when I had it in for the last oil change... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kered118 Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 so far I dont have that problem, but the only thing annoys me is when I driving 55 -65 freeway with slight uphill the rpm will go down and when I press the accelerator slowly it wont respond but when pushed a bit more it will only down shift. I think the torque converter won hold the load at low rpm? do you guys notice this?thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W_A_Watson_II Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 Pulled a Polaris Ranger this weekend, and on flat ground, the darn thing wanted to not leave the TC locked up in 6th (D) at 60 MPH. Had to down shift to 5th and leave it there to keep the TC locked up. I sure hope they get/have a software update for the shifting, to keep the TC locked in longer/better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kered118 Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 I think this problem will cant be fixed. please read the link http://njection.com/blogs/autopark/archive...ual-clutch.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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