When shifting transmission into drive there is a grinding sound

JAMES WARNER

MEMBER
2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
2.4L
4 CYL
TURBO
2WD
AUTOMATIC
119,231 MILES

Asked this question before but had an issue with my car where, all the gear indicators would light up PRND in boxes and every so often either when idling or coasting around 10-20MPH the car would shift into autostick without me touching the shifter. A previous answer told me that it was the transmission position sensor/transmission range sensor. So, I had it replaced last week and for like a day everything seemed okay, but now it’s back to doing it and now anytime I shift into drive I gear a noise almost like a low grind. It’s only when I shift into drive though. No noise from any other gear including autostick. Please help.

7 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,179 POSTS

Hi,

It is common to hear a slight noise that sounds like gear grinding (muffled) when shifting to drive. Many of them do it along with several other Chrysler products around this model year. Is it loud enough for you to record and upload it for me to hear so I can confirm?

Are all the lights lit up again on the gear indicator?

Let me know as much as you can.

Take care,

Joe

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Monday, January 24th, 2022 AT 9:15 PM

JAMES WARNER

MEMBER
5 POSTS

The noise is similar to the sound when you lift the emergency brake lever. But when I shift into drive, it’s not as loud but if the emergency brake lever sound was on a scale of 1-10 and the brake was a 10, I’d say the shifting into drive sound is about a 7 out of 10. It only lasts a second and then the car seems normal. The gear indicators PRND. Only all light up in boxes when the car is either in Park or in Neutral. Not R or D. My biggest concern though is this: For Reference Yesterdqy afternoon when I was coming home, I made a left turn to a side street like I always do and I pushed on the gas to accelerate and while the car seemed to accelerate normally, all of a sudden the car went from D to Autostick 3. I did not touch any gears as my vehicle is an automatic. So, after I saw that, I pulled off to the side of the road and shifted the gear stick from D into N and the car went into neutral right away but all the gear indicator lights were all lit up in boxes like before. After that I shifted back into drive and the car was normal the rest of the way home. It’s basically doing the exact same thing as before even though I was told to replace the transmission position sensor/transmission range sensor. Is something else going on? Transmission fluid was replaced and I also have a new transmission filter as the fluid had to be drained and filter replaced for the job.

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Tuesday, January 25th, 2022 AT 5:34 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,179 POSTS

Hi,

If it is exactly the same as before, although it is related to the range sensor, it sounds more likely the result of a wiring or connector issue. There is a reset procedure for clearing faults related to the PRNDL system, but it requires a scan tool that can communicate with the PCM.

I attached the directions below if you want to try them. I don't know if you have a scan tool that can do this, so let me know about that.

The noise you described I've heard in many of these vehicles, but not hearing your vehicle, I can't confirm.

By any chance, were there diagnostic trouble codes related to the issues before the repair? Also, have you had the computer scanned since the problem started again? Also, is it possible for you to check the connector at the range sensor to make sure it's tight, clean, has no corrosion, and nothing is damaged where it connects? Pic 2 below shows the sensor/location.

Let me know. Also, let me know if you have codes that may help.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

Images (Click to make bigger)

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Tuesday, January 25th, 2022 AT 4:22 PM

JAMES WARNER

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I asked the mechanic and he confirmed with me that it was as tight as it could go and that all wires seemed in good shape. Unfortunately, I don’t have a transmission code reader, only a regular engine code reader. (The mechanic doesn’t have one either) I have ordered a scan tool and hopefully that will be able to provide more info? It is a Launch Crp123?

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Tuesday, January 25th, 2022 AT 4:34 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,179 POSTS

Hi,

I feel that is a good place to start. I looked up the scanner you mentioned, and it indicates it reads transmission codes. All the different modules are tied together via a few wires called the can-bus. So, it appears this scanner can communicate via the CAN (controller area network).

Here is a link you may find helpful when you get it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Keep in mind, as far as the connector could also be on the opposite end or an internal wiring issue. Let's see what the scanner indicates.

Let me know if you get codes.

Take care,

Joe