Transmission ideas needed

uncaged · **Posted:** Fri Nov 29, 2024 5:32 pm

Just had the tow truck drop the heep off at home. 187K miles.

After driving for about 30 minutes, it started to shift weird and the 2-1 downshift sounded like bolts in a tin can. Pulled over and it was low on fluid, which is strange, because I just did a fluid and filter change about 500 miles ago and it was properly filled then. Added 2 quarts. Drove for another 15 minutes or so and it died at a stoplight. It'll start and idle in Neutral, but as soon as it's shifted into Reverse or Drive, it dies. Fluid is to the HOT mark, and stinks terribly. You can smell it standing next to it.

It has a Florida TC, hope that's not roached. Any thoughts or ideas?

What years 545RFE transmissions from Dodge pickups fit in the CRD?

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Fri Nov 29, 2024 10:43 pm

Any Dodge or Jeep that came with the 545RFE transmission will fit and function in the Jeep Liberty Diesel provided it has the correct compatible solenoid pack (white) in it. You will also have to use your torque converter or a Hemi torque converter as most gas powered trucks torque converters will not handle the low RPM torque of the diesel engine.

uncaged · **Posted:** Sat Nov 30, 2024 3:49 pm

Dropped the pan (PPE deep cast aluminum) and there was black gook in the bottom with little chunks of metal sprinkled around. Replaced the filters (and new seal) and put in new fluid. Went for a 30 minute test drive with the DRB. Started with 80F fluid and 120 PSI line pressure (as desired).

By the end of the mostly highway drive, the fluid temp was 210F (28F outside) and line pressure was dropping. Got back home with 70-80 PSI line pressure and the TCC was starting to grab. If shifted from N to D and held with the brake, it would slowly start to grab and drag down the motor.

Here's what I'm thinking - see if you agree.

The TC is going south. It's heating up the fluid. It's shedding bits of itself and clogging up the filters. What do you think?

Slap another TC in it, another round of fluid/filter change and give it a try, or what?

Thanks for the suggestions to try and get it sorted. Sucks when it's your daily driver.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Nov 30, 2024 10:57 pm

Metal in pan is not good! It can come from many places so it could be something else other than the torque converter, bands, clutches, etc...
Only a full disassembly and inspection will tell you for for sure.
Having all those shifting issues makes me highly suspicious that the problem is inside the transmission, not the torque converter. :grim:

It would be a huge gamble and lot of work to R&R the transmission, replace the torque converter only to find out it was not the problem. :juggle:

Either way, with metal in the pan, the transmission will need a good internal cleaning otherwise the metal particles could cause other component failures.

Torque converters generally either work or don't work other than having clutch chatter in lockup due to weak construction and / or low line pressure.
But they generally don't cause shifting issues between gears, that can be internal clutches or bands, or electrical solenoid issues.
Have you scanned it for any DTC codes and does it have any? They would start with P0700-P0900 and above.

uncaged · **Posted:** Sun Dec 01, 2024 8:10 pm

Turns out the transmission is fine. The billet Florida Torque Converter, not so much.

I was on the front end of the growing pains of figuring out what TC's worked and still had 2 leftovers laying around the garage. 1 OEM TC and 1 pre-billet Florida TC. Swapped the extra Florida TC in today. I recall it working, but just not being able to handle full power. Was worth throwing in if it indeed was the fix (with fingers crossed), since I need to work in the morning. The billet FTC is supposed to be lifetime warranty. I'll find out on Monday.

On the last fluid/filter change yesterday, I put 3 neodymium magnets on the filter pickup snout to attract bad bits. They did catch some stuff, but not as much as I thought, the majority of bits I found were on the very first change after the breakdown. On this change today, I put the cleaned magnets back in there. When I pulled the trans, I blew out the cooler and lines.

When the billet FTC came out, it made noises. When held flat and shaken, it clunks. When rolled like a wheel it tink-tink-tinks. Sounds bad for sure!

Took it for another DRB monitored ride. This time the line pressure stayed right at or near the desired pressure. The temp flattened out at 133F on the highway drive. All shifting was as it should be, and no grabbing or noises occurred.

I think the previous shifting noises were the unhappy tranny having to jam gears because the old TC was locked solid (or fragments were locking it).

Not looking forward to having to do this over again with a TC that can handle full power again. Sheesh.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sun Dec 01, 2024 10:22 pm

That's to bad, they are supposed to be good torque converters with some members praising them after installing them in their Jeep CRDs.
I personally cannot speak as to their quality or performance other than what I have read that has been posted by other forum members.
Gordi on this forum has praised them highly in the past.
I personally have only used SunCoast torque Converters in my Jeep diesel with the Stage IV Hot Tune and my Dodge Ram Cummins with a Edge box pushing 40 psig boost, and they are indeed bullet proof, but they certainly are not cheap $$$$.

Another big factor in torque converter performance is transmission line pressure, if your line pressure is low or weak, it makes no difference what TC you install, it will not be able to hold the torque when in 5th gear TC lockup and the TC will chatter (shudder).
If you are going to invest in a new better torque converter, it is highly recommended to replace the front pump assembly as it can cause low line pressure issues along with TC lockup issues along with installing a TransGo Kit to help boost line pressure over stock to help with additional clutch lockup holding performance.

uncaged · **Posted:** Mon Dec 02, 2024 11:21 am

Right, so just as a data point, this transmission has had the new front pump, a Transgo kit, as well as the Sonnax electronic line pressure boost adapter.

There's a high confidence level that the line pressure before TC failure wasn't an issue.

Transmission ideas needed

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