[SRT6INTREPID]

My tranny has a weird tendency. Shifting from fourth to third, or second to third and it will sometimes "bang" into gear, there are no noises it's just a very harsh engagement. It only happens once and awhile, not every time. All round, I noticed the transmission will shift hard, and other times smooth as butter.

Today I stopped at a local Dodge dealer, had him give me his opinion on a few things, had him look at my tranny fluid and he said it looks and smells very clean. I was intending to do a filter/flush here soon, but hearing that makes me question doing a fluid flush.

I forgot to ask if he thought I would benefit from just a filter change alone, but what are your guys thoughts? Can a dirty or clogged filter cause my inconsistent issues?

[TCPMeta]

Might have a crack in the valve body or some bad clutches. I say drop the pan, check the valve body and then pop the pan back on if the valve body is fine and then add a new filter, ATF+4 and some anti-foam.

[SRT6INTREPID]

Would pulling out the speed sensor's give me a less messy way to determine excessive ware issues as far as bad clutches go?

As I said, I was going to do a tranny flush with a new filter at the dealer for $250, for less, I can get another tranny at the yard.

I just don't get why sometimes it shifts so smooth you cannot feel it, other times it's a sudden yank, like someone driving a standard like an armature.

[peva]

Have you tried resetting the computers. It might be firmware related. What year is your car?

[SRT6INTREPID]

Hmm, outside of unplugging the battery negative or positive for a few minutes; is there a different way of resetting the computer that I am missing?

I've read some threads, people mentioning they did cluster swaps for cosmetic or function reasons, and the question came up "any shifting issues with the new cluster". Doesn't make sense, but does, any idea on that?

Ah, mix of 03-04. PCM is an 03 2.7 PCM, running the 3.5 now.

Thanks

[peva]

No, other than pulling the computer fuses - that would do it.

That's a new one on me. I don't know of any reason that would be so.

[SRT6INTREPID]

Hmm, I've yanked my negative terminal a few times the past awhile due to EVAP leak codes (p0440-p0445 etc). Always staring up due to the guys pumping gas never tightening my cap.

Possible that I'm resetting so much that the transmission never gets to completely relearn?

Mind you, each disconnect every say once per two weeks for example is just the negative for a few moments.

[peva]

Usually at least 10 minutes is needed for a reset - 15 for good measure. However, if codes are getting reset by a shorter time, you'd think it's resetting the tranny parameters too. Also, I think if you disconnect and turn a good load on (like headlights) for a few seconds, it should discharge a lot quicker.

[Adpros]

Would this dealer you stopped into be a friend of yours? The reason I ask is because if he had the time to hook up a DRB or Witech, you could see if there are any pending issues. Maybe even provide you with CVI readings.

Also, an intermittent harsh shift could be a lot of things. maybe even a software issue that has been addressed and a flash update would fix it without any fluid or filter exchanges.

[SRT6INTREPID]

Yup he's a close friend to the family. It slipped my mind asking him to double check for any codes or firmware updates/flashes. He was rather crunched for time.

Ironically, as I'm connecting the dots it's starting to shape up as the engine/tranny mounts are to blame?

He asked I did a break rev for him in reverse and drive (apply breaks, rev to 1500RPM), as to diagnose the rattling noise for me that I could not resolve, even with all the great input gotten here. He observed the engine movement. Noted the engine moved excessively forward, nearly touched the rad housing. WHICH, the the source of my whirling and rattling noises. The exhaust being shortened for the 3.5 swap is touching something, likely differential housing on the forward movements.

The excessive play would also explain the erratic shifts. Noticed if going through a turn, up hill or during moments of demanding torque, it will shift rough, if I drive like I'm to old to be driving, it shifts through every gear like butter.

Perhaps a loose bolt or the engine mounts are shot. I did have these quirks every so often with the 2.7 as well, so perhaps the tranny mount is to blame more than anything?