Tranny issues???

PCTim · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2005 12:40 pm

Excuse me while I rant.....

Is it just me, or do the tranny's in our KJ's really *&^$ ? (I have a 2004, 3.7 Auto). Here are my issues.

1. Driving through backroads, as soon as I hit 40 MPH, it shifts into OD, and there is NO power (drops to about 1500 RPM's). I keep pushing down on the pedal, and one of two things will happen. One, the KJ will eventually get up to speed, or two, it will downshift to SECOND GEAR and the RPM's will jump to around 4000. Shutting off the OD button will eliminate this issue.

2. Getting on the highway (or driving on the highway) at around 45-55 MPH, I'm already in fourth gear. I need to speed up (either to pass someone, or merge with traffic), but when I step on the gas, nothing happens. If I push harder, it will eventually get up to speed, but if I push too hard, it will downshift to SECOND GEAR.

3. If I don't come to a complete stop (coming off the highway, turning onto a side street, etc...), but get down to around 5-10 MPH, and then step on the gas, instead of downshifting to second, the tranny will go all the way back to FIRST GEAR, causing the RPM's to jump to around 4000.

So, does anyone see a pattern here? Whenever my transmission needs to downshift, it seems to skip a gear. It doesn't do it all of the time, but enough that it is getting annoying. The fluid levels are fine. The only thing I can think of that might have affected this is having my speedometer re-calibrated. I have heard others complain about different issues with the tranny, so that's whay I'm asking. Is this just how the KJ's are? Is it just a Jeep thing? Could there possibly be something wrong with mine?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

End of rant...

Thanks,

brpn#1 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2005 12:49 pm

yes.. unfortunately this is a known issue with the tranny we have.. the first day i got my 04 libby.. i went back to the dealer and asked them to check my tranny.. told them the same type of issues that you have posted.. the mechanic rode w/me with the computer hooked up and didnt notice anything out of the normal.. later i posted on the old forum to find out that is a known issue.. what i do is when i am going uphill or anytime i am under 45mph.. i turn off OD and it does a little better.. but it still bogs down.. the motor does not like being under 2k at load.. suxs.. im so used to my 5 speed in my old car being able to shift when i wanted to.. but i opped for auto cause i thought it would be easier with 4x4 offroading with a auto and my wife can drive auto a lot easier

i even asked the dealer is there anyway to change the stall speed convertor lockup time.. he said he hasnt heard of one.. i bet if enough people would complain then DC would offer a rom upgrade or something.. i hate it.. that is probably the only thing i hate about my libby.. suxs too.. waited forever to get one and then get lame tranny..

oh well.. i still love my libby

WV(0)IIIIIII(0) · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2005 2:32 pm

Your rant is my rant also. I have the same exact problems that you just stated. I also turn my OD off until I know that I will be over 55 for a extended period of time.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Same problem here. I just reach down and click the OD off button and that normally fixes it. Just one of those quirks.

raceinfan · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2005 5:22 pm

Tim same problem here

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2005 5:30 pm

well, one thing u all must understand is this has nothing to do with the tranny at all. The tranny in the libby is a very good tranny. The torque converter is the problem, its told to lock up to early. and the reason the engine shoots to 4k rpm is b/c thats where it gets all its torque and horse power. Ive heard of people getting there computers reprogramed at the dealer, but ive never gotten around to getting it fixed. If u give it some gas it will unlock the torque, and its not going into second gear, its staying in 3rd and unlocking the torque, next time it does it, reach down and shift it into 2nd, u may want to brace urself though b/c ur going to get a heck of a kick, then u know ur in second. The reason they did this was to try and save gas, stupid people.

camper · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2005 6:27 pm

my '04 automatic does the same thing...like the others, I just push the overdrive button to off when going up hills, etc...

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

I got an custom torque converter for my Libby from APS Precision. Mine has a 2.53:1 torque multiplier, and a 2500 rpm stall. I like it with the upgraded computer from B&G with the torque management deleted. It will launch like a V8 from the line. I'm going to add the TransGo shift kit next I think. No shifting problems now, just want to tighten them up a little more. I would think you could do something similar, depending on your desired outcome.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2005 8:46 pm

1. Keep right hand on shifter (for those that drive on the right side of the road)
2. Pretend you are shifting by pressing on the OD button
3. Away you go

I do get annoyed when the RPM's shoot up to 5,000 (near red line) at times. I just played it as a quirk of Jeep.

jpzkj · **Posted:** Tue Nov 15, 2005 12:36 am

KY Liberty wrote:

I got an custom torque converter for my Libby from APS Precision. Mine has a 2.53:1 torque multiplier, and a 2500 rpm stall. I like it with the upgraded computer from B&G with the torque management deleted. It will launch like a V8 from the line. I'm going to add the TransGo shift kit next I think. No shifting problems now, just want to tighten them up a little more. I would think you could do something similar, depending on your desired outcome.

You have a different Transmission than the 03's and later. it's a 45re or a 42 re...I can't remember which is which. Only that the early Transmission is MUCH better ...particularly offroad becuase it will hold the RPM's down to under 2500 while going downhill...where the later transmission (which I have) will allow up to 5000 RPM (maybe more...thats when I stepped on the brakes). This was on the same hill...for both jeeps.

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

That's too bad that they put the 42RLE in the new Libbies. I really like the 45RFE with the alternate 2nd gear kickdown. Just wish I had the 5-45RFE with the 2nd .67:1 overdrive since I have 4.10 gears. You might talk to Wayne at APS to see if they can do anything for you.

2003KJ · **Posted:** Tue Nov 15, 2005 10:06 pm

Yep, same issues over here. Anyone else notice a long period of engaging into drive when cold (like first thing in the morning)?? It's definately a 42 thing. I've got the 42 and my neighbor had one with the 45 and we switched for a day to see the differences. We both agreed the 45 is a much better match for the 3.7. Problem with mine is I can't get it to stay at a constant 45mph, the torque converter likes to keep locking and unlocking. I'm worried with all that locking and unlocking and the downshifting to 3rd on about any hill, that can't be good for the tranny at all. Increased, and unnecessary shifting would eventually lead to early tranny failure. Only time will tell. Untill then, i'm keeping up on my fluid changes, especially tranny, that way if it does crap out one day, Chrysler can't blame it on that reason.

Marlon_JBT · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2005 2:46 am

PCTim wrote:

Excuse me while I rant.....

Is it just me, or do the tranny's in our KJ's really *&^$ ? (I have a 2004, 3.7 Auto). Here are my issues.

Not really.

Quote:

1. Driving through backroads, as soon as I hit 40 MPH, it shifts into OD, and there is NO power (drops to about 1500 RPM's). I keep pushing down on the pedal, and one of two things will happen. One, the KJ will eventually get up to speed, or two, it will downshift to SECOND GEAR and the RPM's will jump to around 4000. Shutting off the OD button will eliminate this issue.

I just wait....

Quote:

2. Getting on the highway (or driving on the highway) at around 45-55 MPH, I'm already in fourth gear. I need to speed up (either to pass someone, or merge with traffic), but when I step on the gas, nothing happens. If I push harder, it will eventually get up to speed, but if I push too hard, it will downshift to SECOND GEAR.

Every automatic transmission that I have driven does this.

Quote:

3. If I don't come to a complete stop (coming off the highway, turning onto a side street, etc...), but get down to around 5-10 MPH, and then step on the gas, instead of downshifting to second, the tranny will go all the way back to FIRST GEAR, causing the RPM's to jump to around 4000.

Never seen that happen before.

Tranny issues???

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