What could be wrong with my car's automatic transmission?

Question

I have a 2006 model car and the transmission has been messing up since I got it. I have taken it into the dealership a few times and they keep saying that they can't find anything wrong with it. It shifts really hard at times if I don't come to a complete stop before accelerating. My husband checked the transmission fluid and said there was too much fluid in the reservoir. Could this make the transmission mess up? I hope this isn't a stupid question!

My car is a 2006 Dodge Stratus SXT.

Answer 1

Yes that could cause the problem.
You might try the dealer 1 more time or go to a different dealer that sells the same brand of car and if you don't get any help then call the factory customer service number that should be in the owners manual.

Answer 2

If their is too much fluid in the tranny will aerate the tranny fluid and thin it out which will cause the tranny to run hotter and can also cause it not to function as a hydraulic fluid which you need to for the shifters and for the clutch packs to press against each other. If the car is still under warranty than bring it back and have them change the fluid and filters or have them replace the tranny. Always remember when you by a "warranty" for a new car you are basically just handing your money over to the dealer ship for nothing. They will just try to rig your car and make it work until the warranty expires than after that they don't have to hear from you any more. I used to work with some body that had a 2005 Toyota Avalon and he had to have the tranny rebuilt three times. Why because all the mechanics at the dealer ship where doing was just cleaning up the worn down parts and hoping that it would work again. So Finlay on the fourth attempt he mad a call to some type of auto agency I'm sorry that I don't remember the name. But after he called them they got the dealer ship to replace the tranny with a brand new one which cost the dealer like 6,000 dollars. but any way He never had any problems with that car until he crashed it into a tree last winter.

Answer 3

The only dumn question is the one not asked. I take it this is an autostick?? Since this is a car still under warenty. I Recomend that u note down exactly when the suspect failure occures. Example. Early in the morning, late at night ,engin hot or cold. Do u hear a clunk or do u just feel a jerk.Does it do it up hill or down hill. How often does it occur. Are u the only driver or does any body else drive the car.

This are questions that the tech. that is going to be working on your car needs to know. Unfortunatly the service wrighter is usually to busy or just doesn't n know the right questions to ask.

For example. Did u know that depending on the type of trans. In your car. It may have a learned shifting memory. Meaning that if u are using the auto stick. The ecm is tracking your driving hapits. Ecm( electronic control moduel). On dodge the ecm and tcm are now inergrated. If someone else drives it. Using the autostick. It will begin to adapt to there driving hapits. So when u get it back it may take awhilie for it to relearn your habits.

Next time u go back to the dealer. Insist that there forman or trans tech go on a road test with u. Sometimes u have to be pushy with them to get there attension. Just do me a favor. Remember that usualy the techs are good but the service wrighters can be jerks.

As for fluid over filled. If no one has serviced it. Complain to the manger. getting the maniger involved And u will get action. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

This is not a stupid question. Too much fluid is just as bad as too little sometimes. I would stop by the dealer and ask them if that could be the problem. Get invoices whenever you go to the dealer and save them. After about 6 -7 try to get hold of a zone manager. You may bel eligible to get a different car under lemon law, depending upon how long you have had your car and how many miles you have put on it. An '06 car should not be having problems like this.

Answer 5

when you take it to the dealership and they find nothing wrong, try asking them to test drive it with you in the car. If they don't want to then you know that they know there is something wrong. they don't want to fix it bc it is still under warranty, and it will cost them and not you. To much fluid shouldn't mess it up the way you say it messes up. i wonder if this hard shift is always there even if you accelerate slowly after you don't come to a complete stop. Trying to accelerate quickly might cause the computer in your car's transmission to prematurely down gear (from the higher gear it was idling in while you slowed down) before the torque converter can efficiently contain the flywhee's kinetic energy. If it is upshifting aggressively then i can't say (don't know if it is a front or rear wheel drive car)

Answer 6

if you have taken it to the dealer more than 3 times for the same thing , you could get a new car under the lemon law act . if you wanted to do that . or call the factory hotline ( ford chevy dodge ) and explain to them what is going on and tell them that you want to take it to a actual transmission shop that only deals with transmissions . hopefully this helps you

Answer 7

because of the fact which you point out that your motor vehicle is going into 5th kit, i'm going to anticipate your motor vehicle is a instruction manual transmission. examine the exhaust equipment (catalytic converter, muffler) to be sure it isn't any longer clogged.

Answer 8

All the newer cars tranmissions are controlled by the computer..might I suggest take to dealership and ask to have tranmission upgrade if available and if none then ask them to reprogram the PCM..--have seen this alot in GM's..Good luck