Hi, I've had my crossfire 2004 automatic for roughly just over 4 weeks now. It's been running great so far but yesterday it developed a sudden problem with its transmission I believe.

- On cold the car runs great and fine as it should
5 mins of running as the engine begins to get warm
- after 5 mins of running the engine or transmission starts making a loud whining sound as I build the revs up, this also happens when in parked mode and also in neutral. The worst is yet to come, when I was driving home from work after noticing these symptoms the car decided to stay stuck in a single gear and wouldn't shift up or down when in drive. I tried selecting gears manually but it wouldn't let me select any myself, turned the engine off and restated it, I could now select any gear I wanted. Drove the car back home manually selecting the gears myself, even though I was selecting the gears myself it was still losing power when I needed the revs to build up, accompanied with the whining noise ( my gf wasn't present so she's ruled out as the problem ).

as I was roughly at 60mph in 4th gear I decided to knock it up into D for the next gear to drop the revs down. If I quickly select 4th before the speed of the car drops too much then I have no problem selecting gear, if I don't manually select then it will stay in D and won't let me select any lower gear if I'm driving at a slow speed.

Pulled over and gave the car a 10 minute break on the way home to let everything restart. Drove for about 2 minutes and it was all back normal and then suddenly all the symptoms came back again.

Im completely puzzled and I can't find any garages near myself to help with a diagnosis as majority of them say they don't deal with Chrysler and others saying they can't see me for a week a least. Any recommendations or help would be greatly appreciated guys. Thank you

 

I forgot to mention, if I put my foot down the revs would build up but the engine wouldn't pull. This only happens when the engine is warm

 

I would start a DIY with a new transmission conductor plate along with a fluid and filter swap.
While you are in there, change the potentially leaking connector too.
I think you can get a good kit for this from FCPEuro, here's one offering that includes the fluid :
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...IaAunyEALw_wcB

( I used the Pentosin fluid myself 2 years ago, still running fine )

 

Have you checked the level of the oil in the transmission?
That is the first place to start.
Other than that the transmission codes should be read and appropriate action taken. Sticky solenoid valves or plates could be the reason. How many miles on this tranny?

 

Thank you for the reply guys, I really appreciate the help. I have topped up the transmission fluid and unfortunately this doesn't seem to have helped. I'll put a video on YouTube tomorrow and post the link in this forum if this may be of any help? The transmission itself has 74k on the clock, from reading the car manual it's very close to needing a complete transmission fluid change and filter, I was hoping that this could have just been the issue with some parts being clogged up potentially?

it seems as though the whining noise is coming from the transmission somewhere, it's a hard one to exactly locate as the previous owner has put an after market exhaust on which makes the noise harder to pinpoint. I've tried many car garages today and non have been willing to help, all saying they don't specialise in automatics.. Mercedes flat out refuse to help as well as it's not a Mercedes badge despite it being a Mercedes engine.

Transmission fluid topped up, I'll check the fluid level again to be certain, I don't have the dip stick so I'll try it with cable ties as I saw that someone on here previously has used this method before to measure fluid level?

Thanks again, it's really helpful and appreciated

 

It does sound a bit like fluid tbh - you can order the dipstick and there are two levels, one when cold and one when up to temp.
Deffo the place to start....

 

 

FCPEuro has the whole kit for roughly 200 British pounds, nor including shipping.
If you can find some place that will let you use a car lift, then it's not too much of a DIY and your knee should be fine.
You should not have to replace the solenoids.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...on-service-kit

 

Did you check the fluid level with the correct dipstick and at the correct temp?
I can't emphasise enough that this is the place to start.

 

If you over fill the tranny, it will pump the excess overboard, I know !!!!!!!!!!!!! No worry mate.

A dip stick can be made from a zip tie, I used white one 30" long thats about 75 cm to you. My tie needed to be narrowed a bit then you hit the bottom and pull to read the level. Woody

 

What is the correct measurements on your zip tie...just fluid on it...lol.

 

Try this chart. Measurement is from the tip of the dip stick when it bottoms out.
You can get a dipstick from eBay CLICK and many other places for about $7 with free shipping.
FCP Euro how to service the transmission. CLICK
If you are careful there is a way to reuse that red clip that can break when you remove the cap on the filler tube.

 

Thanks for links Dave. I've already gotten everything together , I'm just waiting on a warm day to roll around on the ground.

 

And you can get a really inexpensive I/R temperature gun from eBay or Amazon for around $15

 

Ir gun free shipping below $10. Why dont you have one??????? Woody

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Non-Contact...EAAOSwVm5Y9t69

 

I'm one of those guys. I still have feeling, in 2 of my fingers. I can judge accurately ,within a few degrees of, Hot , Warm and Cold. I can even do Celsius , let's see 32+170= purdy warm goin towards hot. (rotfl)

 

Not if you use that formula.

 

Hello there ala_xfire, does the "ala" mean you're from Alabama?
If so "Roll Tide!"
I'm a recent entry into the Crossfire club (2004 Coupe with auto trans and 108K miles).
The car runs great except for a problem when shifting into Reverse (on an inclined surface only): the transmission does NOT shift into reverse smoothly like it does on a level surface. On an inclined surface, the transmission slams into reverse with a hard "thud".
Is this wrong?
Any answers would be greatly appreciated!
JFClark

 

Yes, Alabama but "War Eagle!"
Sounds like there is a possibility that the fluid level is low ......