Sebring ticking transmission

Apr 25, 2007 9 Replies
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My neighbor noticed that my '99 Sebring jxi ticks when you put the car in gear. Is that normal?


My wife's does that when in drive and stopped at a traffic light. It didn't when newer and is a very annoying noise so she puts it in neutral. It started at about 20K miles.

Some O:

My car has a little over 35k. I don't hear it from inside the car so I didn't notice it until my neighbor told me about it.

You're probably hearing the variable-duty-cycle solenoids that modulate hydraulic pressure under computer control. Chrysler (and other brand) transmissions that use this control mechanism have a characteristic "Bzzzzzzz-tick tick tick!" sound as you move the selector lever into gear, or as the car slows to a stop at a light.

When you STOP hearing that sound... then worry!

If you're talking about an engine-speed "ticking" that doesnt' stop and continues as long as the car is in gear, that is something else and might need attention.

A bit more on my wife's 2001 2.7L V6 Sebring ticking or more like a rattle to me.

Driving with her today I observed the following:

-It occurs most of the time, but not 100% of the time, when in drive and at a stop.

-If I move the gear shift around a bit, but always leaving it in drive, the noise can be stopped. Moving side to side has the most affect.

-It seems to be getting slightly louder and more frequent.

-It doesn't occur when in neutral.

That sounds like a rattle in the linkage or shifter somewhere, nothing to do with the transmission at all.

I hope you're right. I was planning to look into that possibility just in case, now you've given me the incentive to poke around.

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