Dealership installed the new PCM in the van last Friday. Everything seemed fine on startup, no rattling noise like in the video I posted. However, while driving home, I switched on the Eco button as I normally drive with this on to improve gas mileage. From every standing stop, the transmission would shudder when it shifted from 1st to 3rd or whatever gear its programmed to shift to in Eco mode. If I switched off the Eco button, 1st to 2nd shifts were smooth as silk. As many times as I repeated on/off of the Eco switch, the transmission shudder would appear/disappear each time. It never did this before the PCM was replaced.

Over the weekend, I drove the van over 1,000KMs on a road trip. We left the Eco button off the whole time. Everything was fine except for once during a rest stop on the highway after I started the van. I got the loud starting rattle again and the MIL and EBS light lit up on the dash.

Yesterday, the van was not driven at all. Thought I let it sit for a day to completely cool down, rest, whatever. This morning, the van started and drove perfectly. No noise on startup and the Eco button works fine. The transmission shudder is now gone when in Eco mode.

At this point I'm not convinced that the problem is completely fixed. What I've confirmed is that transmission shudder is directly linked to the programming of the PCM, perhaps the engine startup sequence also. I think the transmission learning function plays a big part in this as well. I'm going to monitor it over the next couple of days before taking it back to the dealer to look at the code thrown during my weekend road trip. I'll provide an update later this week.

 

It only took a couple of days after the new PCM install for the van to start acting up again. Start rattle, engine hesitation, MIL light, traction control light, etc. Took it to a different dealer (2nd opinion never hurts). After looking at the fault codes and diagnosing the cold start rattle, they said its the exhaust cam phasers and that Chrysler has just released a TSB on the problem. The other dealer would not have received this TSB yet when they replaced the PCM said the service advisor. Parts will take two weeks to come in. I'll provide an update then.

If anyone can provide details on the exhaust cam phaser TSB, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

 

Good going taking it somewhere else. It will set a multilple cylinder misfire or random cylinder and a cam sensor code. It's internal engine but not a radical procedure. I'm doing one myself sometime this week.

Here's the geek description>>>

 

Wow thanks. I could see how a problem in phaser assembly would create the issues I'm having. The big question is, have I damaged the engine by driving it with this problem? Will I damage it more driving it till the parts come in? Service advisor said it would be fine to drive in the meantime.

 

No, the cam phaser is just slapping back and forth because the oil pressure in IT drained back while sitting. It sounds worse than it really is. Once that noise goes away it's pumped up and working properly.

 

Dealer replaced two exhaust cam phasers (and two gaskets). Problem solved!! The van now starts quietly and runs fine. Just hit 12,000KMs on odometer.

Thanks everyone for your help. MasterTech has pointed out the fix in detail in a related post https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-c...start-ups.html

 

My 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT is only 3 months old and since I took it for a oil change at 4700 k .there is a tapping or knocking noice when I start it .
Its in the shop now for me the nearest dealer is 385 km away the engine light went on halfway there I was told that its not drive able that I could go off the road if the part spilts apart.Part wont be in till wednesday I forget the part name ,no courtesy cars I had to take a bus home.
Here is a small video I made of what the engine sounds like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIEh-...w&feature=plcp

Dealer mainly worried about me paying 95$ an hr for diagnostic of van.My warrenty covers repairs and loaner cars.

 

Use a Fram PH #### oil filter an you will eliminate your oil starvation on startups . " Fram only "

 

Do you mean my post?
if so than my vehicle is sitting in a parking lot at the dealership in -30c not plugged in for days and they want to charge me 95$ an hr for a oil filter plus my expence to take it there and pick it up.4 hrs drive one way

 

I'm a 50+ year hot rod mechanic , an old person in short with lots of rattling in the bottom end of engines experiance ! Right now before you really do damage to your bottom end put a" Fram oil filter " primed on your new van an your problems will go away . I own a 3.3 Dodge with a Fram PH 3614 on my 2010 Caravan , A PH 6022 on my Harley ,A PH 2 on my 4x4 ,& a Ph 3506 on my S.S.R. truck & Corvette . It's Fram only & no I'm not a buisness just an ole retired man . You probally have a double oil filter or a filter too restrictive to oil flow . My Thoughts Lovvorn