Torque Converter Shudder?

[genesis@genesisworld.com]

((Sal- Can't seem to post things in the Needs Dealer Atten. section))

My dealer is running this one up the Hyundai flag pole since so far, no ideas what causes it---

Here's when this happens---
1. Going up a slight incline
2. 30-ish mph.
3. In 'D' (but checking, the car is in 4th)
4. About 1500-2000 RPM
5. Push down enough on the gas so as to not shift, but to 'call for engine power'.

When I do this, I get a low frequency rumble that I can only call a torque converter shudder. I can then let off the gas to stop the shudder, and immediately do the same 'call for power' easing of the peddle... and it won't do it again. It's not a horrible thing because I can make it happen or not happen. I just don't want it to be something that I wish later that I had fixed now.

Anyone seen this and have any thoughts? My local Hyundai service manager rode with me and observed it. He has also subscribed here so he'll be watching for you thoughts so we can remedy this.

 

[GS300rich]

I tried too, Sal told me threads can only be moved into there. We will have to keep an eye on it.

 

[jonah]

I felt this before as well. I thought the car was going to die as it felt like the car had suddenly shifted into 6th when it should have been in 3rd or so (I was at 25MPH). I hit the gas and it went away but it bothered me.

I also notice that the shift points seem to be too low in general when using light throttle. I know this was a design consideration and generally helps to reduce fuel consumption but it causes excessive downshifts when you just upshifted and it was too early, need more power for a slight grade, etc.

Perhaps an ECU update is in order. I know I've seen transmission and fuel control upgrades posted for other Hyundai models...

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Does anybody else have a complaint about this? We normally don't move topics into the Dealer Attention area unless the issue being considered is wide-spread. Two people having the problem is a good (or bad) start, however...

 

[BigElm]

Seems like it eventually will....

 

[3587]

My Chrysler 300C does that same exact thing... I'm guessing it is normal... Well, at least according to Chrysler. It is difficult to get it to act like that, but it will under the right conditions like you mentioned.

 

[tombea]

That is the problem that I have! Mine has shuddered several times and when it quits it drives as if all is fine. Also two times I have left my neighborhood and when I turned onto the main road the RPMs went up to 3500 and I was only going 5MPH. The transmission shifted and the RPM went up to 3500 and I was going about 15.

I have been to the dealer twice and they say they can't find the problem.

 

[homeofstone]

I note that all so far with the shudder on this thread drive a 3.8 v6. I have noticed nothing in over 20,000 miles regarding my 2011 4.6 wth the ZF German transmission.

 

[tarche]

I have a 4.6 and have noticed the same thing. Usually when driving in the 30-40 mph range and going up an incline. Seems to be normal behavior with the transmission being in too high a gear and needing a downshift.

 

[CanukV6]

I have exactly the same condition, but it only seems to happen when I am cruising in high gear (never checked but I assume 6th) and when I try to accelerate gently. Unless you press hard enough to trigger a downshift you get the shudder. As soon as it downshifts to a lower gear the shudder disappears. I haven't noticed it at low road speeds, but I watch for that from now on. I have never raised it with my dealer as I just assumed it was a characteristic of the high ratio overdrive.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[faizal]

Same problem on my V6. Seems to happen when the transmission is on the verge of upshifting (but does not). To make it stop I either punch it a little to trigger an upshift or back off the throttle a bit.

 

[crhbobby]

The last week, I have noticed my car doing something very similar. I thought it was related to the cruise control but it is not.

When I am cruising at 50-65mph.. I feel a shudder as the car maintains speed with the cruise on today. I took the cruise off, and it appears to do the same thing.

It seems to do it more when going down hill... It feels like a wind hit the car...or a misfire. Hard to explain. I am guessing the dealer would give me an excuse...I will have to wait until it gets worse. Occasionally the shudder is stronger than others.

I have 43,000 miles now....and this started a couple weeks ago.

 

[tombea]

I'm sure you will get a run-around. This semi-luxury car doesn't do things of this nature. You could try another dealer or you can go the BBB route, although I've found that a company has to have a certain amount of integrity for this route to work.

 

[DavidF]

I'm having the same symptom as crhbobby. On the interstate when coasting downhill/level between 60-70mph, the transmission lags and lurches back and forth. It's very annoying and seems like it wouldn't be good for wear-and-tear. I'm going to schedule a visit with my local dealer. Wish me luck.

 

[tonygxp]

felt some lazy unlocking of the TC but nothing i haven't felt in every other v8 i've owned, when it start to come on i just kick it in a little, it unlocks the TC and acts correctly. i think it's just an optimistic shift/tc locking technique used by the ECm to optimize fuel economy. it also adapt to your driving style so if your very light on the throttle and don't call for much power it is possible the trans is thinking staying locked is a good thing lol.

 

[xdolobx]

((Sal- Can't seem to post things in the Needs Dealer Atten. section))

My dealer is running this one up the Hyundai flag pole since so far, no ideas what causes it---

Here's when this happens---
1. Going up a slight incline
2. 30-ish mph.
3. In 'D' (but checking, the car is in 4th)
4. About 1500-2000 RPM
5. Push down enough on the gas so as to not shift, but to 'call for engine power'.

When I do this, I get a low frequency rumble that I can only call a torque converter shudder. I can then let off the gas to stop the shudder, and immediately do the same 'call for power' easing of the peddle... and it won't do it again. It's not a horrible thing because I can make it happen or not happen. I just don't want it to be something that I wish later that I had fixed now.

Anyone seen this and have any thoughts? My local Hyundai service manager rode with me and observed it. He has also subscribed here so he'll be watching for you thoughts so we can remedy this.

I know this is an old thread but really is the only one that describes my issue directly and finding any info on this subject seems scarce.. I'm having the same issue. Anyone know anything about it as of now? Usually happens around 1800-1900 rpm and when I check the gear it's normally in the highest gear(usually when I notice it's 8th) or low speed 6 or above.)) If I get into it.... It doesn't do it.. bit like you said just enough not to call for power or shift it stumbles or shutters a little bit around that rpm range always. In neutral I don't have any stutter. But I have noticed in the mornings if it's been sitting all night that I do have a little bit of stutter even just reversing. Unless I warm it up fully.

 

[homeofstone]

Its a center carrier bearing and support on the driveshaft causing the rumble. It is a known problem and many have been replaced.

 

[xdolobx]

Its a center carrier bearing and support on the driveshaft causing the rumble. It is a known problem and many have been replaced.

I've heard of that but I didn't think that fit really. But thanks for the reply none the less I will definitely check it out.

 

[xdolobx]

Its a center carrier bearing and support on the driveshaft causing the rumble. It is a known problem and many have been replaced.

So I'm taking back what I said.. cause seems like it's getting worse.
I had an axelback exhaust on it for a while and it seems like it was an engine studder(why I thought this wasn't the issue) along with the wierd idle in the mornings. But I'm thinking that it could be this as well.. obviously won't fix the idle issue in the mornings but will fix the "rumble" while driving... I think/hope.

That being said. Thank you @homeofstone