Hi I purchased a 2004 Dodge NEON SXT witha manual transmission and I think that I may be having shifting problems. I have owned several GMmanual carsin the past and they all shifted very smooth. This is the first time owning a dodge. When I shift through the gears is is very clunky and feels like the gears are rubbing.It is most noticed from first to second.Is this normal for neons or is it something that will go away with time. The car only has 2800 miles on it. I know if I take it to the dealership they will tell me nothing is wrong with it. Thanks in advance.</P>
-Ryan</P>
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I dont think that you have any problems with the tranny...i just got a sxt for christmas and it only has 700 miles on it and it sounds about the same. I just assumeto get used to it, ive only driven it a little and I hardly notice it except when im going from first to second.
This does not sound normal to me. Did both of you get the cars with nearly zero miles on them. My biggest fear with a manual is someone aggressive or inexpirenced test driving it. I recently had a manual (not a Dodge) have the same symptoms as you. I brought it back, they opened up the clutch and found a burned clutch plate, pressure plates and the kicker was my flywheel was warped.</P>
My advice, go to the dealer, grab another stx and drive it, if it drives "normal" have them look at your car.</P>
It didnt have 0 miles on it when I bought it because the dealership went and picked the car up from another dealership for me. But how much damage could they have done in 1 hours time, and 45 mins of that being expressway driving? I did try and test drive another neon with a stick, but every dealership i went to didnt have any manual transmission models. I have not had a very first good impression of this car. :-(
i have an 04 SXT and it does the same thing and my had 50 miles, and i work at a chrysler/jeep dealership and have drien 0 mile PT's and they have the jerky type of shifts but the wranglers are really smooth but drive like crap. altho mine does shift smooth at times.
It has stopped doing that to me now...all i have to do is be a little easier on the clutch than i am on my on my old beat up truck. If i ease on the clutch it has no problems at all, the only time im doing it now is on second gear, but im getting better. im just not used to having to use finesse <IMG src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0"></P>
I would not worry about it. I noticed the same thing with my 2003 SX R/T. My Transmission makes a very soft, rapid knocking sound, when downshifting from 3rd to 2nd. It is a very quiet sound. I need to have the radio and fan off to notice it.</P>
I was told it was charactoristic of these types (Getrag Design) transmissions. My tranni was tight when I first bought it. I highly recommend to change the tranni fluid during the break in period. After I changed the tranni fluid at 5000 km, I noticed the shifting was very "silky". After about 40'000 I am going to switch to "Redline" Synthetic Tranni fluid (C+ATF) which will not void the warranty.
That knocking noise that you talk about started happening after i wrote this post. My car now makes clashing noises when i release the clutch in all the gears. If you sit at idle and push the clutch in and release it also does it. If you shut the car off it will not do it. Kind of wierd.It is starting to get anoying. :-( I think I am going to take it in the dealership just to get it checked out.
Well that is a problem. It is tough for me to say, because I can't hear the noise your tranni is making. It is so hard to believe the tranni could be pooched. I know what your going through. I was hyperparanoid about mine. However, mine is still the same - I can hardly hear it. I have 20'000 km on mine and it shifts great. </P>
Yours sounds like the clutch/pressure plate may be pooched. Ecspecially if you get the noise when you push the clutch in and out while it is in idle (while in neutral). Now, I don't know how you drive, but if you "pop" the clutch, it is extremely hard on the rivets, springs - the whole clutch assembly. Ecspecially from a standing (0 mph) start. It has a jackhammer effect. I am always in favour of riding the clutch a little before I release it.
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I wonder if the stock clutch assembly on the neons is a POS. You might want to look into a performance one. But, stock clutch assemblies should stand up to occasional sprints. </P>
Anyhow, get it checked out. I am very curious to see what it is Rogar.</P>
2004 SXT possible shift proble
