There is a recall M38 Reprogram PCM. You should check this first. This M38 might help your van. There is also a TSB 21-012-12 that kinda solves harsh shifting from 1st to 3rd when in eco mode and from 2nd to 3rd in normal mode. But, this TSB precedes this M38. I drove a Chrysler (not Dodge) van, which was a rent with about 16325 miles on it, and it was shifting very smooth. But, after I parked the car and started it again, when I put in reverse there was a loud bang sound and whole van shook. Same thing happened when I put back in Drive. After that, strange sound was coming, something like short "kthrr..." every time I was shifting from D to R and back. Van was driving fine while in D. Do not accept crap from dealer that what your van does is "normal". Take a new van off the lot and drive with them, to show them what "normal" shifting looks like. Hopefully, they have good one in stock.

 

For what it's worth, my 2012 Caravan had a recall to reprogram the computer. Now the shifting is at different intervals and is smoother, specially in economy mode. It drives more like a car now.

 

Thank you for the very useful info. I know that some computer unit has been replaced before I purchased my van, but I will have to call dodge again and find out exactly what that was. Will post with update.

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-c...ol-module.html

 

This is exactly what my 2011 GC has been doing since I got it over a year ago. I have taken it in multiple time and most recently they replaced the valve body on the transmission but the cluck is still there.

It only happens when the tranny is warm. When it has sat for over an hour it never does it. My guess is that when I shift from park to reverse or drive and the tranny is warm it is opening the valve to quickly and thus engaging to quickly causing the loud cluck.

Has anyone else with this issue found a resolution for this?

I am concerned that either my axle or CV joints are taking a beating from this harsh engaging.

Thanks.

 

Resolution no, work around yes. Pause in neutral for a couple seconds when shifting from R->D and D->R. Actually I just stop in N anytime I need to go through it (like P->D). Seems like the problem is during disengagement. If you give the trans a chance to disengage (pause in N), dropping it into the gear results in a smoother transition.

 

First time poster...I have a 2012 SXT and I'm finding transmission shift points all over the place. Just brought the vehicle on on the M38 recall and it hasn't fixed the erratic shift points.

Wondering of RClement can come back and perhaps report back on what the "he did something manually with it" was? Going to pm him...hopefully he's still on the forum periodically.

 

I just got a M38 recall notice, "Reprogram Powertrain Control Module", in Canada, here it is.

 

So, Stoneridge Dodge in Pleasanton Ca told me that nothing was wrong with my trans..... I went down and threw a tech in the van with me to show him how it shutters in reverse. Firstly, I found it only does it when warm. (Also, they updated trans software as per recall) Trani still shutters in reverese on incline. Tech said it is all electronically controlled and that there are no programs and/or way to fix engagement in that specific scenario without making an entirely new program for the software.... It, unfortunately, does make sense to me. I asked him if they could isolate whatever electronic actuator/sensor/module controls engagement in that situation and modify it's programming. Again, he replied with the same answer adding that it's not like the good ol' days where you had room to adjust with tangible mechanical devices. . . Though I am sure an adjustment could be made, I doubt that a dealership has the technical capability. Maybe A high performance shop in combination with an E-tech specialist could do the trick, but until the dealership's hire out work to such, I think we are SOL with this problem.

 

Taking my 2011 GC Crew in on Monday to replace the cylinder heads because of the misfire issue, and getting the M38 recall update done at the same time. I hope that this helps the shifting issue. I don't even use Econ mode at all because of the clunking.