I have an 05 CRD (automatic) which I bought about 4 years ago. It had approx 90K miles and I have added another 60K. I guess 60K because my odometer is not working. Last week I was coming home from a job and had just driven 175 interstate miles without issues. Pulled into a parking lot and the liberty lurched a bit as I was parking. Came back from store, went to back up and the lib moved about 5' and lurched/stopped. Even in neutral it seemed like it was locked in gear. I had it towed home and put it on jackstands where it will turn the rear wheels but not without odd transmission sounds. Trans fluid looks good at correct level. What has happened and what are my repair options? What parts need to be upgraded? Thanks in advance guys.

Don't know, need more information.

Q- any codes? CEL on?
"the CEL has been on since the ABS wires cracked and broke. have not checked CEL lately"

Q-have you checked the 4wd control handle to see whether there is any play?
"not sure what you mean here but it is not in 4WD"

Q-have you had any issues with the Jeep not moving when first started after an overnight shutdown?
"no but I usually warm it up somewhat first"

Q- how long has it been since a fluid/filter change in the transmission? Are you certain beyobd any doubt that the right fluid was used?
"have not changed fluid it a bit"
What are syptoms of fried automatic clutches?

Rixram - could be low fluid or could be the tranny fluid drain back problem given that it sounds like this only happens after the vehicle sits over night. The drain back problem typically occurs after the vehicle has been parked for over night or a full 8 hr workday and is often sporadic and it's not uncommon for the vehicle to stall if you try to drive off before fluid is pumped up. If you crank up and bring the idle up to like 1500 rpm for 10-15 seconds in park that's usually long enough to pump tranny fluid back up and you won't have the problem.

Early on there was a batch of bad Mopar tranny filters that contributed to this problem and some have found the cure to be a tranny fluid service with new filters (be sure to seat them properly or you will have other problems). Others have had issues until they put in a Transgo kit or a new tranny pump, the latter involves dropping the tranny.

Try the tranny service route. FYI you can live with the problem with no harm essentially forever if you do the high idle before driving off trick. By the way tranny fluid drain back has been a DCJ issue for decades.

PS at 135K miles I assume you have already had the timing belt service done.

Rix, too bad my tranny guy in Framingham is at ChooChoo U. I would refer you to him. He works the rails and owns a tranny shop. We were actually surprised he went to become an engineer.

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Best of luck to him!

Rix,

Just want to make sure you are checking the fluid level on level ground, HOT, with the engine running, in PARK, just after having shifted back and forth from D to R a few times.

(Normal level COLD, having sat overnight with engine OFF, is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches ABOVE FULL.)

Also, got to find why the fluid is leaving.

Hope you are well...

DOC

Do you see signs of fluid on the dipstick/filler tube?

DOC

No, I didn't, but I had also not checked the level in ages (bad, I know).

It is at the local stealership now getting a flush and filter change.

I just got back from the transmission shop where they replaced the pump and TC because I have had the lack of fluid where it needs to go, slow to engage the gears problem for a long time, and had in the last 20,000 miles developed the shudder at 60 mph under certain loads/throttle conditions. I noted the slow to engage issues 100,000 miles ago, and it came and went, seemed least common with fresh fluid and filter, but has slowly gotten worse and worse, and now happens at least once a week, and not always overnight. It sometimes happens after only an hour or so of drain time. And it can take 30-40 seconds in park with the engine revved up to 2,000 rpm to get the fluid pumped up so things work properly.

I believe it was time for both the original 2005 early F37 recall TC and pump to be replaced.

So the lesson here for the OP is that this is not an immediately fatal, fix it now or else, kind of problem. It may or may not be fixed with a fluid and filter change. But even if fixed with that fairly inexpensive treatment, may reoccur some day down the line. But you can go a long time with that particular issue.

For what it is worth, it cost me $550 for the pump kit and TC and $625 for the labor and new fluid/filter. My Jeep has 168,000 miles on it, btw.