1997 Dodge Caravan: jerking or lurching

Filed May 14, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 90,000 miles · GA

I bought this van new in 1997 just after buying the van there was ticking noise coming from the engine I feel it is the lifters but dealership says no it was the fuel purge valve. The noise countinues to get worse and I am sure the noise is the lifters when I change the oil to 10w-30 the noise goes away. The oxygen sensor was replaced at approx 50k miles. The van has recently been in the shop for the transmission two or three time since november 2003 aprox. 90,000 miles on it. The transmission was hanging up in second gear when dodge retuned to me the transmission shuttered while driving. Vehicle is now in the shop for the transmission again it is leaking from the output shaft seals and while in park when starting the vehicle the van jerks foward like the trasmission is still engaged. This all happens while in park. Sometimes when the vehicle is shifted from drive to park if the accelorator is pressed the vehicle jumps / jerks foward this seems to be a safety issue as my wife and I have three children that sometimes walk in front of the van to get in when we go off as a family. My check engine light came on just hours before I returned to the dealer for transmission service and it is the egr valve failure that caused the ckeck engine light to come on. The dealership tried to put the transmission off as that but I am also a mechanic the egr valve has nothing to do with the transmissionacting as if it is engage although it is acually in park.this is not good practice to lie about a serious problem with the vehicle. Also the transmission leak was caused from the first removal of the transmission and chrysler warranty department said the leak would not be covered this is also very digusting when you remove an axle the seal should be replaced before you reinstall the transmission. The dealer is still trying to find out what is wrong with my transmission. The water pump has failed and also the cooling fan relay failed for the engine cooling system.

Filed Jul 31, 2002 · Engine, Transmission · PA

While driving at 60mph, speedometer kept moving between 20mph and 90mph, without driver decreasing or increasing in speed. Oil light started flickering along with engine check light, then the vehicle started jerking.*ak. Consumer stated there was a shortage of transmission fluid and engine oil, the serpentine belt was frayed on one side eventually coming off idle pully, losing steering ability, chrysler was aware of the transmission and speedometer and fixed the problem as a goodwill gesture.

Filed Aug 6, 2001 · Electrical, Transmission · FL

Was driving vehicle when distributor bearings seized up and caused transaxle to loosen up. Transmission then failed. Vehicle is an all wheel drive. Towed to dealership. Mechanic indicated plug on transmission canister cap had melted. This happened at 78,000 miles. Had transmission replaced with new transmission. Problem reappeared in new transmission. Had previously smelled sulfur like fumes inside vehicle. Vehicle gave big jerk , and made a loud noise before coming to a stop. Also, noticed grayish smoke in rear. At dealership, mechanic noticed plug, made of plastic, had melted like the first one.*ak

Filed Sep 19, 2000 · Transmission · CA

Consumer was traveling about 35mph on street. Transmission was replaced by warranty because transmission was making grinding noise, and gears would jerk when put in place. Vehicle would not go into reverse, and there was no power in any of the gears.

Filed Aug 2, 2000 · Engine, Steering · FL

While driving less than 30 MPH serpentine belt tensioner pulley broke, causing all power steering to be lost. Van was towed to the dealership, where the belt tensioner assembly and power steering pulley was replaced at owner's expense. Dealership stated that this was a common problem,and happened all the time. Owner very concerned for the safety of himself and others. *ak transmission jerks while taking off from stop. A/c does not cool enough.

Filed Jun 29, 1999 · Brakes, Transmission · WA

Had lost timing belt from transmission due to leakage. Transmission would shutter & clunk when in low speed & jerk. Also, brakes would squeal/squeak & grind loudly when applied. Had them replaced.

Filed Jun 9, 1997 · Acceleration, Steering · VA

Traveling short distances driver begins to accelerate. Steering column begins to vibrate and automatic transmission jerks. This constitutes poor handling.