Advice? 2006 CRD Great condition except bad transmission

rgill · **Posted:** Tue Oct 30, 2012 2:33 am

Feedback appreciated from the members of this list. 2006 CRD located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Can't decide whether to part out my 2006 CRD 89,000 well maintained miles, 2" OME lift, recent euro TC (stopped the shudder), new tires - just because my transmission needs to be rebuilt or replaced.

Dealer (reputable dealer does good work) diagnosed it as shot says $3500 to rebuild mine or $4100 to install a Jeep reman 3 yr, 100,000 mile warranty.

Love the vehicle. Just tired of the quirks in this thing. Was thinking of trading it in on a new Wrangler last month and then the transmission stopped working so that's probably out of the question. Everything else is working well. Engine's running very well.

Any suggestions out there?

It's at the dealer now waiting to hear back about what I want to do.

Jay ne Ohio · **Joined:** Sun Dec 12, 2010 5:49 pm **Posts:** 216

I would find a used transmission. I checked http://car-part.com to locate and see that most run about $600 (prices ranged from $350 to $1900). This is not a hard project and can be done in a weekend. $600 is less than two payments on a new vehicle......

If you are not up for the project, find a "shade-tree" mechanic to install it for you. They usually work for about half of what a dealer charges and transmission changes are right up their alley as easy wrenching.

Alternative 3: put a low price on it and sell it to me. I love straightforward wrenching that doesn't involve a lot of diagnosis.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Tue Oct 30, 2012 12:42 pm

I would get another opinion of what might be wrong. It could be just a split filter.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 30, 2012 2:24 pm

exactly what is the transmission doing, or not doing?
What condition/color is the tranny fluid? Is is it brown and stinky or normal red?

rgill · **Posted:** Tue Oct 30, 2012 4:05 pm

Thanks for the comments. The fluid didn't smell bad or look burnt but for months, when the car was cold (Park City, Utah), it would take a few seconds for the transmission to catch hold when I put it in reverse or forward. Last week I noticed a noise after 45 mph and higher that at first seemed like tire noise but could have been some change in transmission whine.

A few days ago, the car would not not move in the morning when placed in forward or reverse. Engine purred at idle just like in neutral with no reaction to the shift lever.

Ridge

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue Oct 30, 2012 4:20 pm

The failure to engage when cold sounds like the typical tranny fluid drain back problem that DCJ has had since at least the 1s gen mini van, been there done that. The KJ variation of that theme is a check valve in one of the 2 tranny filters that can sometimes go bad (FYI early in production there were bunch of MOPAR filters, some still show up cheap on eBay, with bad valves). Generally the fix is drop the pan and replace both filters. The work around is the crank up, shift into neutral, hold a 1500 rpm idle for 10-15 secs, drive off (if there is any hesitation in driving off repeat the idle in neutral cycle) which I did for like 20K miles until the SunCoast TC was installed.

No go at all could be:
1. TC no longer attached to flywheel - doubtful but has happened. IIRC there is an inspection port, may have rubber plug, near starter where this can be checked.
2. low fluid. Note - be sure to use only ATF+4
3. split filter or press on filter fell off
4. side plate on the valve body has come loose
5. tranny pump is shoot - early pumps have a soft seat that wears out. That pump is no longer sold, it has been replaced with an upgrade. IIRC the full transgo kit includes a fix for the valve set without pump replacement.

Items 1 and 5 require the tranny to be pulled to fix.
Item 2 - I imagine you checked but if not do so and add as need be. FYI on my 1993 Dodge Cummins I once lost a tranny coolant line fitting on the tranny and pumped virtually all the tranny fluid out on the ground in just a few miles so I went from full fluid to no fluid in no time at all.
Items 3 and 4 - require dropping the tranny pan the check and fix.

At minimum I'd consider all these items before assuming the tranny is shot.

TJ2 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 31, 2012 1:09 am

A second opinion can't hurt. Recently, a member from SLC took the time to post how bad his experiences were with two (Hinckley's mentioned by name) dealerships. Their appetite for profit blinds them to what could be simple, inexpensive repairs. Leave it up to them and you'll take a beating.

I've wanted to part out a couple vehicles, but rarely had the space to create my own junk yard.

Advice? 2006 CRD Great condition except bad transmission

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