2004 Strange shifting, winding down noise
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Joined: Jul 2013
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2004 Strange shifting, winding down noise
Hello,
My 2004 Dodge Durango has been acting really strangely.
It has an intermittent problem where it revs up and doesn't seem to shift as fast as usual when starting out. It seems worse when the air conditioner is on, but does do it when it is off. Also, sometimes when I turn the truck off, there is a weird noise like something is winding down. I don't know a thing about cars, and am a single mom of four, so I am trying to fix something before a huge repair is needed. I'm trying to get an idea of what it is so when I take it in I have some idea what they should say. I'm not very good at explaining car problems, but I hope I have at least given someone an idea of what might be wrong. Thanks!
My 2004 Dodge Durango has been acting really strangely.
It has an intermittent problem where it revs up and doesn't seem to shift as fast as usual when starting out. It seems worse when the air conditioner is on, but does do it when it is off. Also, sometimes when I turn the truck off, there is a weird noise like something is winding down. I don't know a thing about cars, and am a single mom of four, so I am trying to fix something before a huge repair is needed. I'm trying to get an idea of what it is so when I take it in I have some idea what they should say. I'm not very good at explaining car problems, but I hope I have at least given someone an idea of what might be wrong. Thanks!
Thread Starter
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Registered User
Joined: Jul 2013
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Hi Don,
It has 136,000 miles. I've had it since 2007. It's had routine maintenance stuff and it has a new serpentine (at least I think that's what it is called!) belt.
Fan clutch...is that serious and expensive?
Thanks!
It has 136,000 miles. I've had it since 2007. It's had routine maintenance stuff and it has a new serpentine (at least I think that's what it is called!) belt.
Fan clutch...is that serious and expensive?
Thanks!
Record Breaker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
KK:
The fan clutch goes between the water pump snout and the fan. It allows the fan to free wheel when the underhood engine temps are below a set level, and then "locks up" so to speak when the underhood temps rise and more airflow is needed through the radiator.
The part itself is $80-$90 bucks, and installing it is not too hard if you have any mechanical ability at all.
One way to assess it is to spin the fan by hand first with a cold engine, and then when the engine is hot.
In both cases, the engine is off of course. What you are looking for is being easy to turn when the engine is cool, and hard to turn (engaged) when the engine is hot.
It is also good to attempt to wiggle the fan back and forth (up and down or side to side) to see if there is excessive play in the clutch.
If there is much play at all, time for a new one.
Don
The fan clutch goes between the water pump snout and the fan. It allows the fan to free wheel when the underhood engine temps are below a set level, and then "locks up" so to speak when the underhood temps rise and more airflow is needed through the radiator.
The part itself is $80-$90 bucks, and installing it is not too hard if you have any mechanical ability at all.
One way to assess it is to spin the fan by hand first with a cold engine, and then when the engine is hot.
In both cases, the engine is off of course. What you are looking for is being easy to turn when the engine is cool, and hard to turn (engaged) when the engine is hot.
It is also good to attempt to wiggle the fan back and forth (up and down or side to side) to see if there is excessive play in the clutch.
If there is much play at all, time for a new one.
Don