My max is exhibiting the gear grinding in neutral at startup. It looks like it's addressed in TSB NTB02084, but how do I get any details of the problem (before I approach the dealer). Is this something I'll have to pay for (i.e. from alldata or NTSB)?

Buzz

 

Not sure if that TSB is really your problem. But do a search for "dying squirrel" and you will find a thread or two about it. In the more recent one is a link to a copy of the TSB.

 

I just got through searching for the dead squirrel and my problem doesn't fit the symptoms other people are describing. Here's the scenario: 1) Get in the car 2) make sure shifter is in neutral 3) depress clutch pedal 4) start the car 5) let out the clutch without putting the car in any gear.

This just happens on occasion, but I get a real leery feeling every time I start the car wondering if it's going to happen again. You get the same type of noise when shifting and don't have the clutch in far enough so you start grinding the gears (or the synchronizers I guess).

 

Oh man, that sounds serious. Try and figure out how to dupe it, then take it in to the dealer. Hopefully you can get it to happen at the dealer so they don't give you the "unable to reproduce" BS. Good luck.