possibly need a transmission

galatron · **Posted:** Thu May 29, 2014 10:55 pm

I've just replaced the entire front end wearable suspension parts and noticed a leak on the ac and transmission cooler. When I went for a test drive after the alignment was done I noticed that the transmission was slipping a bit if I floored the acellerator pedal. I topped up the transmission fluid and it seemed better but not that great. I'd like to source a transmission to replace mine at some point anyone know of a good place in Austin TX? Or near.. Houston dfw?

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri May 30, 2014 9:43 am

Did you verify that the leak was transmission fluid and have you been using ATF+4 or something else? If the leak is transmission fluid I'd bypass the transmission cooler that's in the bottom of the AC condenser in favor of an after market cooler (ca. $50 - PM or email me if you need links) in case that's part of the issue. If you have not been using ATF+4 you need to do 2-3 fills and drains to get all the non-spec stuff, which can cause problems, out of the system.

Could also be related to a dropped internal push on tranny filter or split in the flat filter or loose side plate on the tranny valve body (all easy to visually check) or problems with the tranny pressure sensor (may need access to OEM or equivalent code puller - good tranny shop should have).

Bottom line check the simple/cheap stuff first. If it is the tranny it's a standard DCJ 545RFE transmission that's not "special" to the CRD so any good used or rebuilt one will work although if you have to go that far you might want to consider a few extra bucks to upgrade to the Euro torque converter and the newer tranny pump.

galatron · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2014 12:15 am

So just to be sure I can buy any 545rfe and the bolt pattern is the same? I looked in the parts book and it seems there is an adapter plate on the engine that makes it so. I was going to go to a pick a part to get a new condensor trans cooler. And possibly a transmission should it need it. I've noticed a couple of other items defect also... The vacuum solinoids aren't letting the turbo work.... Or I have a vacuum leak somewhere. This could also be the cause of the transmission issue right? Will report tomorrow I have a friend with a CRD I do work on so we can swap parts and see what's going on.
Thank you for your advise!

laplaya · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2014 12:29 am

Just wondering if all is up to date as far as tranny service?
How many miles? Has it done lots of towing?
I hope it goes well.

galatron · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2014 9:54 am

This CRD was bought from a lady that took it in to a dealer for timing belt service. They did it wrong and screwed her over. I rebuilt the head replaced, new timing belt water pump and turbo, new radiator, yanked the egr, bypass the muffler, did the elephant hose mod, transfluid change with filters, all front and rear suspension replaceable parts, new shifter mechanism, rotors and pads. Beyond what I did above myself, I don't know what's happened to the transmission for service so I'll suspect nothing and anticipate complete failure. CRD has about 140k miles.

dkenny · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2014 11:30 pm

ok. the part I'm not getting
is the connection between the AC and the transmission.??
the AC condenser is separate from the transmission..totally..there is no common plumbing
now between the transmission and cooling system..maybe..

what am I missing here?

-dkenny

galatron · **Posted:** Sun Jun 01, 2014 12:01 am

Transmission cooler and the ac outside coil... Condensor evaporator... I'm not sure what its called are one and the same. I guess they thought it would be an awesome idea to combine the two....

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Jun 01, 2014 9:04 am

Designs vary but the OEM automatic transmission cooler is commonly placed in the bottom portion of either the radiator or the AC condenser/radiator rather than having a standalone tranny cooler. In the CRD it's in the AC condenser.

Upside is saving of space and cost; downside is if the OEM tranny cooler leaks the dealer fix is to replace the whole assembly it is located in. The latter can be avoided by simply replumbing the system by installing a standalone tranny cooler and bypassing the leaking OEM cooler.

SBrooks · **Joined:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:30 pm **Posts:** 85

galatron wrote:

I've just replaced the entire front end wearable suspension parts and noticed a leak on the ac and transmission cooler. When I went for a test drive after the alignment was done I noticed that the transmission was slipping a bit if I floored the acellerator pedal. I topped up the transmission fluid and it seemed better but not that great. I'd like to source a transmission to replace mine at some point anyone know of a good place in Austin TX? Or near.. Houston dfw?

One thing you might try is to get the dipstick to show "full hot", then add one more quart past that point. It worked for me when my trans was slipping when I pushed hard on the accel pedal.

Steve

galatron · **Posted:** Mon Jun 02, 2014 2:53 pm

I'm driving along, in first, second, then pedal down to accelerate, rev's go to 3k and the jeep doesn't go. My friend stopped by Sunday with his CRD and we switched out the turbo control valves (stuff on the passenger side fender), but that didn't help, I'm pretty sure my transmission is gone. When I try to go up a hill, the little tractor that could, just can't anymore.... bummer.
Anyone have any idea if I can just take any 545RFE from the yard and replace it in there? bolt patterns match up or not? I know that the rear end of the transmission is removable, but don't know about the bell housing. What about a rebuild? Could this be an achievable job by someone who rebuilt the heads? - Cause I've got that medal.

SBrooks · **Joined:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:30 pm **Posts:** 85

Mine had very similar symptoms, and adding the extra quart cured it (hopefully permanently). As it's easy and cheap to do so, I'd try what I recommended before any other action. Let us know if you do that and if it did/didn't help.

Steve

SargeIndustries · **Posted:** Mon Jun 02, 2014 3:38 pm

Is you transmission setting any trouble codes? Mine did when one of the clutch packs was slipping under heavy throttle. Transmission line blew on mine which caused my clutch pack to slip due to lack of oil. Once I rebuilt clutch pack the code went away.

galatron · **Posted:** Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:31 pm

WOW... I love lostjeeps. I dug out my handy dandy code reader and pulled code p1189 which we all know is the air pressure sensor in the air box. I had to remove all that stuff on both sides of the engine to do the upper a arms. It was plugged in but not "all the way" replugged it and bam! She's running good. Thank you all once again and until next time! Anyone in Austin want to meet up send me a pm.

possibly need a transmission

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