Transmission help please

cntrline36 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:44 pm

OK, this is from a female perspective. I haven't driven it yet to duplicate the problem.

My wife has a rural mail route. It is 92 miles and 396 boxes long. About two months ago she complained that occasionally the transmission would slam into 3rd gear( or 4th or whatever gear change is at 35-40mph). About a month ago she said that it seemed to be doing it more often. Today she told me that now the trans is slamming in almost every time when she reaches that speed, even if she gets off the go pedal a little. She thinks it may be worse in the afternoon. Don't think it's heat related because it has long since been at operating temperature. Possibly the boxes are a little farther apart on the latter part of the route.

The Jeep has a little over 60K on it. She had the transmission fluid and filter changed at the dealer 3-4 weeks ago. They said everything looked good, no apparent problems. I have since checked the fluid level a couple of times and it has always been good.

I installed right hand drive in it about a year ago and she absolutely loves her Liberty for delivering mail. We're hoping this problem is not too serious. Any help/ideas will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Clint

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:56 am

Check the fluid level :lol:

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:33 am

Amsoil released a TSB for Chrysler customers that discusses rough shifting after transmission fluid changes. Their TSB references several Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep TSBs that indicate that the TCM flash needs to be restored to OEM standards after service work so that it can properly relearn, and avoid the sudden shift issue. A friend of mine forwarded this to me after he had his Lib CRD TCM reset to correct a problem similar to what you're experiencing. The full Amsoil TSB is below.

Date: 10/2/2008
Product Description: AMSOIL Synthetic Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
Subject: Erratic shifting problems in Chrysler automatic transmissions occurring
immediately after changing transmission fluid

OBJECTIVE:
Inform AMSOIL customers of problems inherent to Chrysler
automatic transmission performance if proper mechanical procedures
are not performed following automatic transmission
services, and provide Chrysler recommendations for preventing
and correcting these problems.
ISSUES:
Bump shifts, or very hard down shifts, will occur in Chrysler,
Jeep and Dodge automatic transmissions if the proper mechanical
procedures are not performed following service work.
This includes, but is not limited to, transaxle replacement,
transmission control module (TCM) replacement, solenoid
replacement, clutch plate and/or seal replacement, valve body
replacement or repair, and oil and filter changes.
TECHNICAL DISCUSSION:
Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge have issued TSB 18-020-02, TSB
18-037-05, TSB 21-005-03 REV.A and TSB 21-006-03
REV.A to explain the issue in detail, as well as the necessary
procedure to prevent and correct the problem. Chrysler, Jeep
and Dodge owners who service their automatic transmissions
are advised to have the transmission control module flash
memory restored to OEM standards following completion of
the service work. This type of service must be completed by
a Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealership or qualified service
department trained in Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge applications.

RECOMMENDATION:
AMSOIL INC. has determined that the problem with hard
shifting evident immediately after servicing Chrysler automatic
transmissions with AMSOIL ATF is due to the transmission
control module record of the mechanical service. Failure to
reprogram the TCM flash memory following automatic transmission
services will result in the outlined performance issue.
AMSOIL Synthetic Universal Automatic Transmission Fluid
(ATF) is formulated to exceed the performance requirements
for domestic and foreign automatic transmission fluids, and it
is recommended for transmissions requiring MOPAR ATF+
type oils, including ATF+3 (MS-7176) and ATF+4 (MS-9602)
fluid specifications required by Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge, as
well as many other domestic and foreign specifications.
AMSOIL INC. recommends having the TCM flash memory
reprogrammed (flashed) or the Quick Learn procedure performed
after servicing any Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge automatic
transmissions from the year 1992 to present. Per Chrysler, the
Quick Learn procedure recalibrates the electronic TCM system
to provide the best shifting operation. Quick Learn must
be performed by the dealer or transmission repair shop using
the DRBIII scan tool and scan tool cartridge. The procedure
will correct and prevent the abnormal shifting issues that occur
when servicing automatic transmissions. This procedure, and
the solution to remedy the shifting problem, cannot be accomplished
just by disconnecting the battery terminals.

cntrline36 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:29 pm

Hey guys, thanks for the replies!

Joe Romas
Fluid level is good to go.

Chester
Thanks for that info.

Me thinks that DC was trying to re-invent the space shuttle when it came to the electronics department.

Clint

retmil46 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:20 pm

Or to a good tranny repair shop that has the appropriate scanner and can do the Quick Learn procedure.

gmctd · **Posted:** Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:07 pm

Disconnect the battery for 'bout an hour - reconnect, have her drive it normally ~15mins, no sudden accel, no passing, just ease off the line normally - see if it relearns normal operation - otherwise, take it to MrMopar for reflash

Transmission help please

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