tstone Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 (edited) When I get up to about 45 MPH, in either 3rd or 4th gear, the torque converter will eventually lock like it's supposed to. But once it locks up, when I give it light throttle the car feels like it's bucking or wobbling slightly back and forth. If I hit the throttle enough to unlock the torque converter, or let off the throttle completely, the bucking goes away. The check engine light has not come on yet and otherwise it runs well. I reset the computer with a cheapie OBDII tool, but that didn't help. It's the wife's car-- I have somewhat of a mechanics background and I'm sensitive to every little thing, but she doesn't feel it. I can't tell if it's a transmission or solenoid issue waiting to happen, or if it's just getting its "personality." That is, perhaps once the driveline is fully engaged it is sending some kind of harmonic vibration through the motor mounts. I've never had a car act like this before, though. Being brand new I'm obviously going to have the dealership look at it this weekend but I was wondering has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas as to what I should tell the dealer to look for? Sometimes they need to be helped along... Edited September 26, 2011 by tstone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Official Dodge Support DodgeCares Posted September 27, 2011 Official Dodge Support Report Share Posted September 27, 2011 TStone, There is a flash available to the PCM that is available that may apply to your vehicle. It is listed in the TSB I have included below. Depending on the build date of your vehicle this may help the condition you describe. It is the only one I have found that may address your issue. NUMBER: 18-028-11 GROUP: Vehicle Performance DATE: May 27, 2011 SUBJECT: Flash: Driveability Imrovements OVERVIEW: This bulletin involves flash reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software. MODELS: 2011 (JC) Journey 2011 (JS) 200/Avenger NOTE: This Service Bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine (sales code ED3 or EDG) built before April, 11, 2011. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tstone Posted September 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2011 I checked the door jamb MDH code and it looks like it was built before April 11. I will take this with me to the dealership. Thanks for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Official Dodge Support DodgeCares Posted September 28, 2011 Official Dodge Support Report Share Posted September 28, 2011 I checked the door jamb MDH code and it looks like it was built before April 11. I will take this with me to the dealership. Thanks for the info! TStone, Your welcome. I hope it solves your problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tstone Posted September 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 I took it to the dealer who flashed the PCM with the latest software / TSB. They claim the transmission is running fine but it is still bucking. I guess I'm going to have to wait until the service engine light turns on. (Hopefully it won't leave my wife and 2 year old daughter stranded.) In the mean time I'm going to rig up my vacuum gauge and watch it while I'm driving. This will tell me if there is a "miss" with the engine when it is bucking. If not, I will just have to wait for something to fail in the transmission. I might have to go back and test drive a new one and see if it does the same thing. If these vehicles have a 'personality', I can't help but think the motor mounts will be rocked to death fairly quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tstone Posted October 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Ok so I hooked up a vacuum gauge and watched it while I was driving and the engine is running fine. After the TSB flash I ran it all around town to re-train the computer and the vehicle is running smoother. The gas mileage is also better now with this TSB. That's the good news. The bad news is the small annoyance is still there. I notice it disappears once it approaches highway speeds and beyond... it's actually quite a comfortable highway cruiser. After inspecting this thing and digging around the internet for information, I still think it has an imbalance once you get a certain RPM combination throughout the driveline. I've read a handful of complaints out there (from multiple websites) saying "my Journey rides like a truck," "my Journey motor mounts broke", "my 200 LX rental car stutters when you hit the gas (same drivetrain)." I also understand the 2011 has new motor mounts for the 4 cylinder. Seems like you can put 2 & 2 together at this point. On the flip side I still haven't seen any bad things written about the reliability of the 2.4L or 40TES (big reason we bought it). That makes me feel a little better and since my wife doesn't notice, I won't worry about it. I'll continue to participate on this site and if anything more happens I'll add to this post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tstone Posted December 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 Update: With 3,800 miles on it the issue has disappeared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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