2005 CRD with 185,000 on the clock, has been running fine. Has GreenDiesel Tune installed as of 6 months ago.

Did a heavy acceleration to get on highway, and a few minutes later pulling into parking lot, starts spining up trying to get going, like TC isn't engaging, then stuttering at stop.

Eventually drops in, but then does same thing accelerating again.

Get on highway, has trouble but seems to be going along OK at time, but spinning high rpm (3k or so), but hit stop and go traffic and just goes down hill till it completely stops engaging at all.

Pull off road, check under hood, and dipstick is popped of, and fluid everywhere.

Towed home, now sitting in garage. Wondering what to do next?

I did a quick search, but didn't find any similar issues, surely I can't be that original?

Any and all info welcome and appreciated.
I have a decent shop setup, 40 or so years fixing my own stuff, but not up for dropping a transmission unless it saves me large$$$$

It sure sounds like your transmission took a dump.
But it could just be low fluid.
You can try topping off the fluid to see if it begins to function normally again. Then you would have to find out how you lost all that fluid. I just dont see how it could have all been spit out of the dipstick tube.

A good transmission shop will gladly install a quality remanufactured transmission for $$$$

If I were to do it myself, I would try to find a used transmission in good condition and install it with a high quality torque converter. Probably replace the pump too.
The transmission is a 545rfe and can be found in many Dodge/Jeep trucks and SUVs.

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U.S. Army Retired

Get it to a good quality transmission repair shop facility and pay them to do a thorough diagnoses and let them give you an estimate for repair or rebuild!
Once you have this information in hand, then you can then make an informed cost effective decision as to whether to rebuild or replace with a good used unit from another Jeep or Dodge truck....

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Supporting Vendor and Moderator of LOST
05 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited
Ironman Springs/Bilstein/Shocks
Yeti StgIV Hot Tune
Week's BatteryTray
No FCV/EGR
Samcos/ProVent
SunCoast/Transgo
Carter Intank-pmp
2mic.Sec.Fuel Filter
Flowmaster/NO CAT
V6Airbox/noVH
GM11 Bld.fan/HDClutch
IronrockArms/wwdieselMount
98 Dodge Cummins 24 Valve

Could have dropped the tranny filter. Had a neighbor that had a similar problem.

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2005 Sport CRD 130k
Yeti's Stage II DIY Hot Tune
Weeks stage 1&2 EGR Delete
Florida HD billet TC [500+flbs torque]
DIY T'stat Mod {Kap's design}
'03 Ram TCM

So I finally had time to look at the Jeep.

Codes were P0700 and P0876 which are a general control failure and Pressure failur/low pressure/fluid level.
The fluid level was a symptom since it blew about 1/2 qt of fluid out the filler tube.

I started it up and it moved fine, but wanted to check the fluid level.

Fluid level was a little low, so I started it, let it warm up then added up to the proper marks, about 1/2 - 2/3 of a qt. nothing major.

Then, the big suprise, it worked fine, no issues. went up and down the driveway 10 times, no hiccups, around the neighborhood, no problem, out to the highway. Only went about 3 miles, but it is now running as well as it ever did. haven't driven it long distance yet, but looks like I'll test it out this weekend.

Any ideas? Do I still need to have it checked out?
Again, at a loss, have had very few automatics before.

First,
Make sure its filled to the full-hot mark, then add another half to full quart.

Second,
When was the last time the fluid and filters were changed. Maybe its time for service?

In any case, it shouldn't be pushing any fluid out the dipstick tube. Even if the dipstick had been pushed out (common occurrence with the CRD).
The most likely cause for this would be transmission overheating.
Do you have any leaks anywhere? Especially up by the radiator where the trans cooler is?
Maybe the cooler became plugged? (it happens sometimes)
If so, the cooler can be back-flushed but I have never done that procedure.

If you ask me, the easiest way to deal with the cooler is to disconnect the cooler lines and install a new aftermarket cooler in the grille.

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U.S. Army Retired

I thought I had heard stern warnings not to overfill the transmission, otherwise, there is foaming, and again, loss of pump pressure and hydraulics?

This 545rfe transmission seems to work better when its slightly overfilled.

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U.S. Army Retired