flex plate torque converter rattle 2.4L

I have an 04 Stratus (dohc sedan) in the shop. There's a rattle that sounds like loose torque converter bolts.

It has a "tinny" rattle especially on subtle RPM change and at idle. Also vehicle sputters like an electrical miss. (crank sensor bad signal?)

Noise is coming from flex plate area.

I removed inspection cover & starter. Torque converter bolts were very tight. I removed the bolts and they had no evidence of being loose.

I pushed the torque into the tranny about 1/8" inch and started the vehicle. (after re-installing the starter finger tight)

I removed the starter, rattle was still there, but a different pitch. (i'm guessing because torque was unbolted.)

I took the starter off while the car was running and still the same noise.


Still there is no slop in the flex plate. Considering there's an evident noise, I'm thinking that I'd feel slop if the flex plate was cracked or loose.

BEFORE I REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION.....

Has anyone seen flex plates on the 2.4 (dohc) crack at the crank bolts?

Any other ideas where the noise could be coming from????

I was able to split the transaxle far enough from the engine to pull the flex plate.

It was broken!!!

Local Dodge dealer had a new one in stock for $45. Must have been a known problem.