The Dodge Challenger Message Board

See if someone know what to do.

When I start the engine I hear a dazzling noise from the automatic transmission when shifter is in Neutral or Parking. It only happens when the motor is cold started. After a few minutes the noises disappers. And I can only start the engine (when cold) in N. As soon as it is warm there is no problem to start the engine in P.

I use a Dexron III oil from Quaker State for the transmission. The engine is a 318 from ´85. Transmmision unknown (904 or perhaps a 727). And no, it´s not a Challenger. It´s my Valiant

Not sure what a dazzling noise is?

But it sounds like a rebuild is in order.

As for the starting in park thing. Have you got a cable operated shifter by any chance? The cable length increases if it gets hot.

Sounds like a loose bolt. As things get hot it expands and takes up the clearance.

Thanks Dave and airfuelEddie for your comments.

According to the service manual there´s eight possible causes:

"Grating, Scraping Growling Noise:

a) Kickdown band out of adjustment
b) Low-reverse band out of adjustment
c) Output shaft bearing and/or bushing damaged
d) Governor support binding or broken seal rings
e) Oil pump scored or binding
f) Front and/or rear clutch faulty
g) Planetary gear sets broken or seized
h) Overruning clutch worn, broken or seized"

Or is it just(!) a loose bolt?

My knowledge of transmission is none. Which cause is the most likely to have happened.
I have to add that I had small leak from the transmission when I started the engine about a month ago.

Well if it was a loose converter bolt for example (something you could get at without taking the trans apart) it would go "clack clack clack" all the time. In particular when braking.

I think you really have to take it apart and re-build it.

Hey its FUN!

The transmission is allraight. The problem was the starter which started to go around when I turned the key to the first position. And went on going as long the as long Parking gear was in position. By time time I realized that, my starter was was long gone.

And the leak from the transmission, you wonder? It turned out to be a leak from the stearing gear.

I hope you found those problems before you rebuilt the transmission?

Yes Dave. The transmission is untuched. But is was real hard to determine from where the noise came – as the starter and transmission is not far away from each other.