[Akirini]

Ok so I just bought a 2008 Caliber sxt. And I'm pretty sure I was sold a lemon but anyway. I just can't understand what's wrong with it. Some days it'll drive good and I won't have any problems. But last week, it started jerking and getting no power or acceleration. Plus there will be a whirring type sound and a weird burning smell. Then after sitting all night, it'll go back to driving good. But after parking and going into a store, it'll start messing up again. It'll start getting sluggish and having rough shifts. Bad shaking in idle. And last night the passenger window switch suddenly stopped working.

Could the transmission be going out? And it's going into limp mode maybe?

Failing ECM??

Clogged fuel filter???

spark plugs????

Transmission fluid change???

i don't have the money to put into it so if it's the transmission, I'm screwed.

 

[672aq]

Have you done any work to this 12-year old car? Tuneup? Seafoam? All fluids changed? What are the error codes?

It’s not a “lemon” if it’s been on the road all this time but the owner(s) just don’t take care of the basics.

 

[Akirini]

I had the alignment done and added two new front tires. I added some oil to it because it was low. No tuneups or transmission fluid changes. And the only error code I got was about needing a gas cap which I bought for it. And the girl I bought it from said they had it for two years and stopped driving it 2 months ago. They called it "dependable". I doubt they took care of it for those two years. I had my dad look at the engine after buying it and he found a rat nest and rat crap. Yes yes I know I should have noticed this stuff before buying it. This is my first time buying a car.



Anyway I'm just scared that whatever is wrong with it is too far gone.

 

[ccg2301]

Hey Akirini, welcome to the forum, and 672aq is absolutely RIGHT, so don't panic, now first things first, you didn't say what engine and type of transmission you have, I'm assuming its a CVT by your post. My car is a CRD and only came in 6 speed manual so never had any CVT issues sorry. Did you get any previous service history or receipts from the previous owner with the car? If so check what stuff (services/repairs) its had done in its life to give you any ideas about what's been needed to be fixed or replaced before you bought it, if you didn't get any history with the car, that's ok just try to find out from the previous owner (if possible) when or if the transmission fluid has ever been changed or if it ever needed anything done to it, then go from there. I've read a lot of posts on the forum from fellow owners that a CVT transmission fluid change can cure a lot of issues,(search for these posts and don't be afraid to message the members, that's what we're all here for to help our fellow Caliber owners) or even a simple wire can cause a fault, So start with the simple stuff and work up from there. hope this helps. See post below.

08 Caliber jerking / bucking / shudder during acceleration

I've searched through many forums and read multiple threads about this somewhat common occurrence. But I have yet to read of my particular circumstance and/or a fix. My 08 caliber (bought new by me) w/110k miles will intermittently jerk/buck while accelerating. No lights or codes. It happens at...

www.caliberforumz.com

 

[John Galt]

...it started jerking and getting no power or acceleration. Plus there will be a whirring type sound and a weird burning smell. Then after sitting all night, it'll go back to driving good. But after parking and going into a store, it'll start messing up again. It'll start getting sluggish and having rough shifts. Bad shaking in idle.

This is almost certainly a CVT transmission issue. I would have the CVT transmission fluid changed by the dealer, and have them diagnose the problem. If the fluid change does not fix the issue, the answer from the dealer will likely be that you need a new transmission.

In general, the Caliber is not a durable well made car, and CVT transmissions are crap in general (not just from Chrysler).

If this is a CVT transmission issue, I would consider getting rid of the car. Even if the transmission oil change fixes the issue for now, the problem will be back eventually.

 

[BROADNPATTISON]

I had same issue, same year and model. Dealer said it was a bad computer chip, $800 later and haven't had an issue.

 

[cscmanagement]

Hey Akirini, welcome to the forum, and 672aq is absolutely RIGHT, so don't panic, now first things first, you didn't say what engine and type of transmission you have, I'm assuming its a CVT by your post. My car is a CRD and only came in 6 speed manual so never had any CVT issues sorry. Did you get any previous service history or receipts from the previous owner with the car? If so check what stuff (services/repairs) its had done in its life to give you any ideas about what's been needed to be fixed or replaced before you bought it, if you didn't get any history with the car, that's ok just try to find out from the previous owner (if possible) when or if the transmission fluid has ever been changed or if it ever needed anything done to it, then go from there. I've read a lot of posts on the forum from fellow owners that a CVT transmission fluid change can cure a lot of issues,(search for these posts and don't be afraid to message the members, that's what we're all here for to help our fellow Caliber owners) or even a simple wire can cause a fault, So start with the simple stuff and work up from there. hope this helps. See post below.

08 Caliber jerking / bucking / shudder during acceleration

I've searched through many forums and read multiple threads about this somewhat common occurrence. But I have yet to read of my particular circumstance and/or a fix. My 08 caliber (bought new by me) w/110k miles will intermittently jerk/buck while accelerating. No lights or codes. It happens at...

www.caliberforumz.com

I had same issue, same year and model. Dealer said it was a bad computer chip, $800 later and haven't had an issue.

I had same issue, same year and model. Dealer said it was a bad computer chip, $800 later and haven't had an issue.

hi any chance you can identify from you receipt what was the part number used for the $800 chip repair?
Thanks Chuck

 

[BROADNPATTISON]

hi any chance you can identify from you receipt what was the part number used for the $800 chip repair?
Thanks Chuck

I will look tomorrow for you.

 

[kellywest.200.kw]

Ok so I just bought a 2008 Caliber sxt. And I'm pretty sure I was sold a lemon but anyway. I just can't understand what's wrong with it. Some days it'll drive good and I won't have any problems. But last week, it started jerking and getting no power or acceleration. Plus there will be a whirring type sound and a weird burning smell. Then after sitting all night, it'll go back to driving good. But after parking and going into a store, it'll start messing up again. It'll start getting sluggish and having rough shifts. Bad shaking in idle. And last night the passenger window switch suddenly stopped working.

Could the transmission be going out? And it's going into limp mode maybe?

Failing ECM??

Clogged fuel filter???

spark plugs????

Transmission fluid change???

i don't have the money to put into it so if it's the transmission, I'm screwed.

My 09 caliber did this it was the crank sensor under the car. It cost about 15.00 to fix in a parking lot. The part and the tool to fix it . My Husband did it and been driving good since.