2005 Grand Caravan with 3.8L. Less than 7K miles on car. There is a slight clunk – clunk noise from the front end when starting to move forward. It ONLY HAPPENS after the automatic transmission has been in OD & Lockup at speeds greater than 45mph and then after car gently brakes to a full stop. When I next gently accelerate there will be a slight double clunk noise from the front end within the first couple of feet of forward motion. It even happens if I keep the brakes applied and gently tap the accelerator after coming to a full stop. It DOES NOT happen when the car has been driven in 3rd gear (no OD & lockup) but the speeds and other conditions are identical. I am hoping that there is a transmission guru here who can tell me what I am hearing is normal. The car runs perfectly and has never had a fault code. If it were a motor/trans mount I would think that having the transmission in OD & lockup would not be necessary. The noise never happens if the gear selector is in 3rd gear or when driving at less than 45mph. The car is still under warranty but there is a deductible.

 

Sounds like you ruled out the brakes.
You didn't mention which side the sound is coming from.
Sounds like a CV joint possibly.
I blew up one on my 05 at 24K miles.

Don't know about the OD and shifting symptoms. But great diagnostic's.

If it makes a clack sound when you first start out. Cold, overnight cold.
It's the CV joint. They will install an new axle. L or R.
Worst noise will be when starting with a sharp turn.
Will probably only make the noise when you start and turn in one direction. Not the other direction.
Not covered till it goes bad.

And, Make sure they have the axle in stock before you drop it off.
They hosed me for 7 days for it not in stock. Even though I informed them that the driver side axle was bad when I made the appointment.


Hope this helps.
Good Luck,
Tom

 

You maybe still covered under the emission warranty, Have the dealer do a flash 21-015-07. If this doesn't fix the problem,then the torque converter may need to be replaced.

 

The car only has 6K miles and has a 7 year Chrysler extended warranty on pretty much everything. The clunk – clunk seems to come from the driver’s side of the front end. It is a very quiet clunk and I need to turn off the radio and fan blowers to hear it. I was hoping that this was normal and that it is not a problem. Can I expect it to get worse and eventually cause a failure? Thanks for the guidance