Trans Temp Light and Slipping in Reverse?

quivvy · **Posted:** Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:49 pm

I was on my way to a very secluded hiking trail here in Colorado up a gravel road. My trans temp light popped on. Immediately, I shut the jeep down and let 'er cool off for a good amount of time before starting it up. The light was off when it turned back on. I've got it at the dealer getting checked out (only 33k on 'er) and still under waranty. I'm shakin in my boots anticipating the dreaded call that its not covered under waranty (whatever is wrong) due to the lift, tires, locker....

Also, a few times when backing (in reverse obvsiously) uphill from a stop, my jeep wont budge! The RPM's rise and the jeep sits there.... I'm having this looked at too.

I've got a rustys lift, dunlop mud tires, and powertrax. Any ideas on what to expect?

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:19 pm

Things I've learned about the trans light...4 low is better for the tranny even if you don't really need 4 low. Pulling over and keeping the engine running will help cool it down faster than turning it off. Same kind of things as letting a hot bowl of soup sit there as opposed to stirring it.

I'm out of warranty

but have the same issue in reverse. It'll rev forever and you wonder if you're in neutral. Then mine kind of bucks/shudders as it finally reverses. This happens when trying to reverse on any incline. Ended up peeling out on a driveway. :oops:

Please share what they find out!

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:31 pm

Mine does the same thing in reverse. I think it has something to do with the torque converter.

You should never shut the jeep off when the tranny is Overheating. You should stop and put it in N or P. Also, if you do not have the engine driven fan, you need to get the electric fan to come on. Alot of times I will unhook the A/C compressor and turn the A/C on inside. Air will still blow from the vents, but the A/C stays off allowing the engine to get all the cool air, and also pulls air through the tranny cooler. :wink:

Selecting a lower gear such as 2nd will help prevent this. Sometimes you are going to fast to use 4low.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

CaKJFreedom wrote:

Things I've learned about the trans light...4 low is better for the tranny even if you don't really need 4 low. Pulling over and keeping the engine running will help cool it down faster than turning it off. Same kind of things as letting a hot bowl of soup sit there as opposed to stirring it.

Yup, I just use 4-low also if climbing or going slow, even if I don't need the extra traction. The lower gearing really keeps the tranny cooler.

Also, in the owners manual states that if the trans-temp light comes on to put the selector in park and lightly rev the engine. This gets the tranny fluid to circulate through the cooler without a load.

As far as reverse slipping. The revere gear is pretty darn tall, so I usually end up using 4-low again if it feels like it is starting to slip.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:41 pm

I dont understand why they would give such a heavy jeep a tall reverse gear? It even has a 5k load rating!

I guess its all about the gas mileage? :lol:

Edit: One more post and you hit 800 Eddo!!

yazhi · **Posted:** Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:54 pm

I had an '04 sport that when I went uphill the tranny temp light came on, so I learned too just to put it in 4 low even if it didn't look like it needed it. I heard it was like that for most of the '04. Sorry to say I didn't have her long enough fo find out about reverse :cry:

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:14 am

I have had the same problem quite a few times. I also have the heavy duty cooling/tow package. The question I have is that I have never had my clutch fan come on. Is it supposed to come on when the tranny gets hot or just when the engine gets hot? The main reason this concerns me is because there is a dirt road near here (Old Stage/Gold Camp) that I have never made it up without the tranny light coming on but to go into 4LO would double to triple the time it takes to make it up to the top. This seems to be an issue only with the KJs with the 42RFE trans. No other vehicle I know of has had this problem including '02 KJs, XJs, TJs, Dodge Rams, Dakota's, etc...

WV(0)IIIIIII(0) · **Posted:** Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:43 am

KW AV8R wrote:

I have had the same problem quite a few times. I also have the heavy duty cooling/tow package. The question I have is that I have never had my clutch fan come on. Is it supposed to come on when the tranny gets hot or just when the engine gets hot? The main reason this concerns me is because there is a dirt road near here (Old Stage/Gold Camp) that I have never made it up without the tranny light coming on but to go into 4LO would double to triple the time it takes to make it up to the top. This seems to be an issue only with the KJs with the 42RFE trans. No other vehicle I know of has had this problem including '02 KJs, XJs, TJs, Dodge Rams, Dakota's, etc...

First thing I beleive that it is not a clutch fan. I don't have my Libby any more but I believe that it is bolted directly to the pulley (I could be wrong and it would not be the first time)

My trans temp light would come on all the time. I even did a trans flush to try to fix the problem. It got to the point where I just would keep going and it never had a meltdown. Some sensors are more sensitive than others.

Jeepinal put a larger trans cooler in his Libby and you can get the part # from him.

wolf4wd · **Posted:** Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:19 pm

Well, good to know I am not alone on this! But the bad news seems to be that there is no solution; although I am still hopeful.

I have a 2005 Liberty Sport, 3.7. Having had this same issue in, believe it or not a 1999 Dodge Cummins Diesel 3/4 ton WITH the towing package, I thought I was prepared. My Libby came pretty bare so I confirmed, with the dealer, that I did in fact have a transmission cooler and then I installed the Mopar Heavy Duty Cooling kit. This is comprised of a new electrical fan and cowling plus a mechanical fan with an attached clutch assembly. Pretty easy to install and so I figured I was home free. I was also trying to hedge my bet with regard to towing; at least my allowable 3,500 lbs!

Last week, I had my Trans Temp light come on for the first time. I will admit I was "testing" the system, but was still surprised. It was a hot day, high 80's at least. I was driving uphill, behind Beacon Rock, on a gravel road. It is fairly steep and so I put her in 4-Hi just to avoid slipping. I also put on the A/C, again to test the system, but figuring I would be fine. Roughly 10 minutes into this scenario my Trans Temp light came on. You can't even begin to imagine my dissappointment.

I called the dealership later that afternoon and got little of value. so, not ready to give up, I called again on Monday and spoke to another individual at the same dealership, then I also took advantage of their "tech" website and queried them on the matter there as well. The crux of the response, in all cases, was you need to schedule a service appointment; though no specific reason was given for the need, but this was followed by, "although I doubt there is anything I can do for you!" Of course, they tried the "who" installed the heavy duty Cooling Kit routine; come on its two screws and a bolt on fan. It all only goes together and connects one-way; I don't think you can screw it up!

But here is my real question/issue - What is the solution? I don't have a real problem with running in 4-Lo; which is infact what I instinctively did after the light came on, but is that really the best option/solution to this problem?

I have been on the internet and full synthetic ATF might be a partial solution, or a complete re-hash of the tranny with spin-on filters and extra cooling pans, etc. But, since money is a factor, I was hoping for something a little more straight forward.

Does anyone have some good info on this? (I have already heard from the amsoil sales people, thanks!)

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:37 pm

I would like to see someone put a guage on the tranny and see what the temp is when the tranny light comes on. It may just be a stupid light and it might not even be overheating?

Ive never had mine on, but I always make sure the fan is running when Im offroad.

How much did you pay for that kit wolf4wd? I wonder if I could get just the fan since I already have the shroud. Were the electric fans any different? Size, shape, anything?

wolf4wd · **Posted:** Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:48 pm

Hey JeepJeepster!

The Heavy duty cooling Kit is a Mopar accessory, though you can find them at several sites on the web.

Initially, I thought the same as you, but the new electric fan is different AND the new cowling is different; it extends back further to cover the mechanical fan as well. The cost, give or take a little is anout $280. install took about 30 minutes. getting the mechanical fan is the most difficult part and that is mostly due to space limitations.

good luck!

krazz1e · **Posted:** Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:50 pm

mine did the same thing in reverse. tranny light came on too with 5k on the clock going up hill on a mountain. put her in 2nd and it was fine.

it's a '04 thing with the wimper trannies.

quivvy · **Posted:** Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:29 pm

thanks for all the replies pals. the stealership has had my car since last wednesday (it's now monday) and the "tranny guy" is backed up.

i'm glad (yet dissapointed) to hear I'm not the only one having these issues.

I'll let you know what I find out which will hopefully be today.

DJBassman · **Posted:** Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:30 pm

KW AV8R wrote:

Old Stage/Gold Camp that I have never made it up

I have done this road several times with out problems. I turn off the overdrive and put it in 4hi and it does fine. I even drove faster than I should (at night and lost one of my wheel covers) and still, no problem with the tran over heating. I have the 42RLE trans, maybe that is the diffeance.

FreeJeep · **Posted:** Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:36 pm

I'm having the same issue in reverse with my 03. First noticed it at Camp Jeep trying to back out of a parking spot up hill. Wouldn't move in 2wd or 4high. Put it in 4low and backed up just fine

60k including a bunch of wheelin and never had the trans light come on.

Sure like to know what the deal is with the reverse.

BTW Adam, how you liking CO??

DonC

jason thompson · **Posted:** Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:56 pm

Am I the only person who is seeing a trend that if it dont go in 2 it will do no better in 4hi?
am I the ony person who knows why that is?
OK I will explain it is realy simple
The T-case has NO slipage in any gear 2, 4hi or 4lo
the trans mission how ever will slip ,we are talking auto, if it does not slip then when you stop it will be like hitting the breaks and not the clutch ,you will stall
The reverse gear is higher than the first forward gear in your trans ,I dont know why, so if you are getting good traction and cant spin the tires then all you will do is cause the trans to slip and generate a TREMENDUS amout of heat
The gearing affect is worse with larger tires and the traction is better so the slipage will be worse
The jeep does not care if you are trying to park or trying to climg a 70 degree sand hill if you are getting traction and the trans/egine cant do it then some thing has to give

Now 4lo has ,I think, a 2.71 redution ,correct me if I'm wrong, this is like multiplying you HP at the out put of your trans buy 2.71
and this gives you the extra power to go
What I hear 99% of the time when the trans temp light comes on the jeep is in 4hi or 2wd

The one thing that I dont know is that why after all the post about this topic and in the owners manual it out lines that for "maximum pulling power on loose or slipery surfaces" use 4lo that people insist on using 4hi
IMO any thing other than pavement is a loose or slipery surface and you should use 4lo
besides that with 4lo and the added low gearing you can "crawl" over obsticels and avoid banging up your rig
But what do I know??????

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:01 pm

Were you on the pipe when you typed that? Because I cannot understand any of it? :shock:

jason thompson · **Posted:** Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:01 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Were you on the pipe when you typed that? Because I cannot understand any of it? :shock:

what part would you like me to clear up I dont like to type
but felt that I needed to say that

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:25 pm

jason thompson wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Were you on the pipe when you typed that? Because I cannot understand any of it? :shock:

what part would you like me to clear up I dont like to type
but felt that I needed to say that

Just use spell check. Put that in word and it will clear alot of it up. :wink:

jason thompson · **Posted:** Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:45 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

jason thompson wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Were you on the pipe when you typed that? Because I cannot understand any of it? :shock:

what part would you like me to clear up I dont like to type
but felt that I needed to say that

Just use spell check. Put that in word and it will clear alot of it up. :wink:

if you dont like miss spelling then go be a teacher
The way I see it is this if people dont like the way I spell the to bad I have better thing to worry about then spelling
and one more thing I run a mac so no word and no spell check

If you have a question about the tecnical aspect of it that is what I can answer
I would rather a machanic that can not spell very good but knows how to fix my car work on it then have some guy who can spell better than webster but dont know jack about a cars work on my junk
I would rather read a bill that says "Jeep is fixed" then one with 100 words on what he thins is wrong and none of them spelled wrong

Trans Temp Light and Slipping in Reverse?

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