My 2005 CRD (135,000miles) had what appears to be possible transmission failure while driving at about 60mph. The engine runs but no power to the drive train. No sensation of transmission engaging when put into gear. Is this likely transmission and not torque converter failure? I have experienced the typical shudder when driving uphill while pulling a trailer but usually drive around it with no problem. Would it be better to rebuild or buy used transmission? Also, what is approximate cost of replacement torque converter to take care of the shudder problem. Opinions or advice appreciated. Thanks. -Jeff

My first liberty failed like yours did and Chrysler put a torque converter and software update only in it. It lasted about 3 months and then got a complete transmission AND torque converter again. When these torque converters fail, they usually vomit all kinds of nastys into the transmission.

All of your questions depend on what type of failure your transmission is having. There is no answer, only guessing until you pull the transmission and see what is going on inside.

My local transmission guy rebuilt my 545RFE for 750.00 and then I purchased the high dollar torque converter. YMMV

(also, you may want to verify that your transfer case isn't the culprit)

_________________
2020 Ram 1500 CC Ecodiesel Limited
1995 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4, 5.9 Cummins, 47RH, Reg Cab
2005 Liberty CRD,fixed the rockers and a couple more things,GDE Hot tune,Weeks Stage 1 and 2 EGR delete,Hot Diesel solutions Tstat assembly(wonderful heat!), ARP studs, OME 1.5" lift.....thanks Seth! (Sold)
2006 Liberty CRD....The Moose Hit

Thanks for the reply. Its at a local garage now. A used transmission with 69K on it will be $1,900. I'm going to try to get info on the torque converter that comes with the transmission. I don't want to replace the transmission and still have torque converter problems down the road.

If possible, get a 545rfe transmission from a Dodge Ram Hemi v8.
Same transmission with a better torque converter.

_________________
U.S. Army Retired

Start with the simple and cheap solutions first:

Check to make sure the shifter cable did not come off the transmission.

It is possible that the 4 little bolts that hold the torque converter onto the flywheel have sheared off. There is an inspection hole near the starter. Remove the rubber plug on this inspection hole and look inside (borescope or mirror) while rotating the engine by hand.

Or the torque converter may have failed.

Or the trans pump may have failed.

I bought a used 545rfe trans from a Dogde Ram pickup and installed into one of my CRD's. Cost was about $700. You can search for local parts at http://www.car-part.com/

_________________
My collection of CRD's:
2005 Deep Beryl Green Pearlcoat
2006 Light Khaki Metallic Clearcoat
2006 Inferno Red Crystal Pearlcoat
2006 Midnight Blue Pearlcoat
2006 Gold Limited
2015 Black Ecodiesel
2015 Black Ecodiesel 2

Thanks for the replies. I have one more questions. I have a used transmission with 69K on it. Its from an 05 CRD. The torque converter number is 4736582AD. Is this the part number of the original style torque converter that had all the problems? Thanks again for any help.

Yes, stock TC. I'd not install it. if you swing a new one you should check out the high torque Florida converter. http://www.floridatorqueconverters.com/ ... 13-35.html
I plan on putting one in my 05 as soon as it warm up.

Thanks. I did purchase a Florida TC. I definitely didn't want to chance any future problems and the transmission was out anyway. I'll be interested to see if the shudder is gone when I pull my trailer. I would only experience it going up hill if I didn't keep RPMs up.

My 06 had a problem maybe like what you describe. It was cruising normally down the highway and then nothing... no power to the wheels in any gear. Park worked and stopped the vehicle from rolling but everything else acted like neutral. I had no engine lights indicating a problem or anything of that nature, the vehicle was running fine.

I towed it home and ended up pulling the trans out. I replaced the Torque converter with the Euro Version unit which was around $400 or so (it came with the Torque converter bolts as well). The dealership probably cannot find this part when they search for it based on vehicle however they can find them if they search the actual part number. I cant remember the number

I also used this chance to disassemble the front pump / valve body and install a TransGo Shift kit. I replaced all filters and fluid during this ordeal as well, even though I had replaced fluid and both filters about a year before. I had to take it to a dealership to perform the quick learn operation on the trans after all the changes which was about $50. It has so far been fine since then after a few weeks of rough shifts.

It is kind of a big job pulling the trans on one of these I worked on it almost every night for a few hours for almost 2 weeks to get everything out and back in/buttoned up.

There ended up being no metal fragments or anything in the transmission, The Torque Converter piece that attaches to the Impeller/Transmission input shaft had somehow broken free of the impeller allowing it to "freewheel" inside the Torque Converter without actually sending power into the transmission.

This is the thread that I was posing in for troubleshooting and such.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=82105

TC+Bolt kit as #RL037142AA - this is what I purchased

TC only as #04736914AA
TC Bolts package as #01949765

If you end up pulling the trans pump/ the metal frisbe between the TC and Trans pump you will probably have to replace it. The gasket/material in the middle around the trans pump will come off on the trans pump when you pull it out and then will not seal when reinstalled.

_________________
05 CRD Limited GDE Hot Tune, EuroTC, ARPs, Full EGR Del, IDParts Hoses, Etecno 7v GP, OME 790 Bilstein 916front, OME948 OME N132Lrear, JBA A-Arms, 245/75/16 Duratracs+Moabs, Renegade roof lights, Curt Front Hitch, BTF Kryptonite Diff, JCR Stage2 Rails, SkidRow Skids, HDS Tstat,

Sold 06 CRD Limited K&N, EHM, ORM, EuroTC, TransgoKit, Samcos

Thanks for the information. Our vehicle is back on the road. A local garage did the work. I didn't have the time and wasn't sure enough of my mechanical skills to do the job myself. Hopefully the used transmission (69K miles and $1,840 installed) will last for as long as we have the Jeep.