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2011 Durango with FCW/ACC sensor failure, gets stuck in limp mode. What do?

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jcims

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
On my way home from work Thursday, I was making a left turn when the dash lit up, heard a few beeps and the whole car shuddered.

I see 'FCW OFF' or similar on the dash, and within about 10 seconds realize the thing is stuck in 4th gear. I shut the thing off, restarted, and it worked for about 30 seconds before the same thing happens. Beep, FCW OFF, stuck in 4th gear.

It has happened 3-4 times since and each time the only resolution is to shut the vehicle off and start it back up. The engine light came on and the codes indicated a transmission solenoid issue, but it's probably because the thing jammed itself into 4th gear while I was going 80mph down the highway.

I've cleaned the sensor off, checked the electrical connections and wiring and it all looks good for as far as I can trace it. My preference at this point is to disconnect the system or remove whatever fuse its running on if that's possible. I can live without FCW/ACC, I can't drive to and from work in 4th gear.

Any thoughts?

Also, does anyone know the person at Chrysler that decided that a fiddly sensor failure should effectively disable the vehicle? I'd like to punch him or her in the proverbial nuts.

Thanks
 
Discussion starter · #2 ·
Quick update, I taped some foil on the sensor and it disables right away without going into limp mode. Maybe i'm looking at it backwards, some other malfeasance is causing it to go into limp mode and that , in turn, is disabling fcw/acc?

Doesn't really make any more sense i suppose
 
#4 ·
something else is going on.. the FCW error is just a symptom of the electronics going crazy.

were you covered by the TIPM recall, and did you have it done? Wondering if there is other crazyness that issue can cause..
 
#5 ·
I second Toms advice. I had mine unplugged and out of the wifes Jeep for a few days when the entire sensor fell out of the clips.
 
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#7 ·
jason55330 said:
Sorry to dig up an old post but I can't find anyone else that has had the same issue as I'm having with my 2011 Durango Citadel. I was wondering if anyone has figured out what the issue was?
Click to expand...
I just took my 2011 AWD Crew in for this. The codes read that the fcw was getting tripped and the same celenoid code as mentioned above. The tech said that it could mean one of two things: the fcw needs to be recalibrated, which makes sense because it sets off the fcw when I've slowed to a light with a car in front. Or, he said that it could be the transmission:(. I'll post when I get the shaft...err...diagnosis from them.
 
#8 ·
The transmission is the problem it has a fault and as a Default it turns off the FCW. Older units gen 1's used to flash OD off light
STEVE
 
#10 ·
#11 ·
I have a 2011 Dodge Durango Citadel w/ V8 HEMI. I have had the same issues as you. I am no longer under warranty. The "FCW OFF" light pops on along with my truck staying stuck into 4th gear. I have taken it to a Dodge dealership Service Dept several times. I paid close to $1500 for transmission (powertrain/solenoid) back in May 2015. The same exact issue arose at the end of October 2015 & the Service Dept. supposedly fixed it but the very next day it happened again. I ended up taking it to a transmission specialist; I was charged ~$1250 to put a new solenoid pack in it. My truck drove good for about 15 months & it happened again. I took it back to the transmission specialist. He said it was a wiring issues & I footed out ~$600. Now here it is May & guess what? I'm having the same issue (FCW OFF & 4th gear stuck). I LOVE the look of my Dodge Durango....it looks so bad ass; I get so many compliments on it but I'm tired of the same issue. I think this should be recalled. How did you resolve this issue?
 
#12 ·
jcims said:
On my way home from work Thursday, I was making a left turn when the dash lit up, heard a few beeps and the whole car shuddered.

I see 'FCW OFF' or similar on the dash, and within about 10 seconds realize the thing is stuck in 4th gear. I shut the thing off, restarted, and it worked for about 30 seconds before the same thing happens. Beep, FCW OFF, stuck in 4th gear.

It has happened 3-4 times since and each time the only resolution is to shut the vehicle off and start it back up. The engine light came on and the codes indicated a transmission solenoid issue, but it's probably because the thing jammed itself into 4th gear while I was going 80mph down the highway.

I've cleaned the sensor off, checked the electrical connections and wiring and it all looks good for as far as I can trace it. My preference at this point is to disconnect the system or remove whatever fuse its running on if that's possible. I can live without FCW/ACC, I can't drive to and from work in 4th gear.

Any thoughts?

Also, does anyone know the person at Chrysler that decided that a fiddly sensor failure should effectively disable the vehicle? I'd like to punch him or her in the proverbial nuts.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I have a 2011 Dodge Durango Citadel w/ V8 HEMI. I have had the same issues as you. I am no longer under warranty. The "FCW OFF" light pops on along with my truck staying stuck into 4th gear. I have taken it to a Dodge dealership Service Dept several times. I paid close to $1500 for transmission (powertrain/solenoid) back in May 2015. The same exact issue arose at the end of October 2015 & the Service Dept. supposedly fixed it but the very next day it happened again. I ended up taking it to a transmission specialist; I was charged ~$1250 to put a new solenoid pack in it. My truck drove good for about 15 months & it happened again. I took it back to the transmission specialist. He said it was a wiring issues & I footed out ~$600. Now here it is May & guess what? I'm having the same issue (FCW OFF & 4th gear stuck). I LOVE the look of my Dodge Durango....it looks so bad ass; I get so many compliments on it but I'm tired of the same issue. I think this should be recalled. How did you resolve this issue?
 
#13 ·
We purchased a 2011 Citadel 5.7 within the past month. We traded in our 2015 Journey Crossroad. Same miles but DD is bigger. I have a 4 and 5 year old that ride in the car. So far since we have had the vehicle it has thrown up the FCW light and shut down. My wife drives it majority of the time has had to pull over to side of the road, shut it down and restart. It has happened while she was slowing down and I think merging into traffic. She has cleaned the sensor multiple times so far.

Now I am not sure if being in Michigan in the winter has anything to do with it and the sensor cover gets dirty fast, but that shouldn't shut the car down. I ran my VIN on the website and it said there are no recalls. We are going to call the dealership and have them run it to see if there are any recalls.

It seems like this and the TIPM is a huge issue with dodge. We never had any issues with our Journey except a misaligned tailgate. My wife has turned off the FCW and we are going to run it a while to see if any other issues arise and if nothing happens then we can determine that the FCW is the causative factor.

It is a shame that this stuff happens because it runs smooth and is a Beautiful truck otherwise. We did downgrade from the 8.4" screen in the Journey to the 6.5" in the DD.
 
#15 ·
Hello,

I had the same Problem and this is what I did on my 3rd Gen D 2011 5.7

(this is only a rought roadmap to give you an idea and to help you decide if you wanna do it on your own or give it up to the nice mechanic next door)

1. Either you prep to catch Tran oil or get new one (write it off as a Tranny Fluid Change(not necessary but should be done anytime you open the Tranny IMHO))
2. Get new Transmission pan and seals (not necessary but should be done anytime you open the Tranny IMHO)
3. Get new Filters (not necessary but should be done anytime you open the Tranny IMHO)
4. Get new Transmission Valve Solenoid (not the whole valvebody) - Also the Valvebody usually looks shitty, don't worry and just re-use it)) -> used around 350 Buckazoids (Make sure you get the right one!!!! Work with the Partnumbers!) mine was 545RFE / 65RFE / 66RFE -> Green Jack for example. Just drop a message for the guy on ebay with your VIN to verify
5. If you handy -> you can simply open the Tran-pan - catch the oil
a. remove the seals completely
b. remove the screws from the valvebody assembly
c. exchange the solenoid (if you have only bought the solenoid) or exchange the whole valve body Info: the cable to remove was a bitch on mine. So be careful when removing the cable.
d. make sure there is no dirt etc. when putting everything back together
e. exchange the filters (I think those actually came first and then the body)
f. put the seal in place
g. put the screws in place (i think it was 10nm)
e. filler up
f. be merry again ;)

It took me roughly 2.5 hrs and I consider myself "lefthanded"- but was finally proud of myself that I could take care of this messy Mercedes Gearbox myself. The dealership wanted ~1100€ I think. Hope this helps. BTW. It is highly likely that this is the issue but doesnt have to be (most of the time it is - known issue)



jcims said:
On my way home from work Thursday, I was making a left turn when the dash lit up, heard a few beeps and the whole car shuddered.

I see 'FCW OFF' or similar on the dash, and within about 10 seconds realize the thing is stuck in 4th gear. I shut the thing off, restarted, and it worked for about 30 seconds before the same thing happens. Beep, FCW OFF, stuck in 4th gear.

It has happened 3-4 times since and each time the only resolution is to shut the vehicle off and start it back up. The engine light came on and the codes indicated a transmission solenoid issue, but it's probably because the thing jammed itself into 4th gear while I was going 80mph down the highway.

I've cleaned the sensor off, checked the electrical connections and wiring and it all looks good for as far as I can trace it. My preference at this point is to disconnect the system or remove whatever fuse its running on if that's possible. I can live without FCW/ACC, I can't drive to and from work in 4th gear.

Any thoughts?

Also, does anyone know the person at Chrysler that decided that a fiddly sensor failure should effectively disable the vehicle? I'd like to punch him or her in the proverbial nuts.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
#16 ·
So this happened to me more than once now. Yesterday was last straw I’m at 0mph waiting to turn my car surges like wants to move into car in front of me. Disabled does the FCW off sign which is alright but this shouldn’t be happening when my ACC is turned off already. Dealer can’t find the issue yet. I’m going to go back today with the pics took of lights on dashboard when flashed up and see if that helps any.
108013
 
#18 ·
Sara w said:
So this happened to me more than once now. Yesterday was last straw I’m at 0mph waiting to turn my car surges like wants to move into car in front of me. Disabled does the FCW off sign which is alright but this shouldn’t be happening when my ACC is turned off already. Dealer can’t find the issue yet. I’m going to go back today with the pics took of lights on dashboard when flashed up and see if that helps any.
View attachment 108013
Click to expand...
I'm also having the same problem I have a 2011 hemi rt and we have replaced a few things but nothing's helping? it died on me while turning into traffic in the middle of the road. I don't know what else to do
 
#19 ·
update my car is at dealer now I’m using one of their rentals for couple of days. Mechanic said my fuel pump relay wire they replaced the tipm with is faulty for one some recalls had faulty wires put on them it’s less than a $100 wire to fix but I’m waiting to see the verdict once they done that. Will update soon as know more
 
#20 ·
Yep the Dodge recall with the tipm issue my dodge dealer the new one says it’s the relay is faulty and a lot of the ones replaced by dodge were faulty ugh so $500 with thier labor to fix the issue that if done properly wouldn’t be an issue so anyone with this issue get your new fuel pump relays checked out it fixes the issues.
 
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