So... you guys who've dealt with the shuddery transmissions while cruising at speeds over 50MPH... what's the best way to help these folks get a solid repro?

I'm not getting CEL over it, but I am getting the shudder pretty badly. Extra pronounced to the point of maddening when the Predator is installed. I tend to be able to repro it (with or without the Predator) by simply accelerating a bit agressively and then maintaining speed at 55-75 MPH.

Can anyone offer up another way to solidly reproduce this issue? It happens to me all the time, so I'm not sure why they claim it's not happening.

And my brakes howl. They claim they can't repro that either. WTF? They were so NICE when I took it to them the first time. What's up with the sudden incompetence, I wonder...

Oh yeah, and I hear a rapping noise that has nothing to do with it being a diesel when I'm in gear with the brakes on under the Jeep, which was the final straw for me to take it in.

Any suggestions for the dealer are much appreciated!

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Lance Zielinski
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD
2000 VW New Beetle GLS TDI (sold)
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited (sold)

If you can convince them to ride with you while you make it happen, it might help. I suspect they don't want their techs losing money by identifying an issue without a TSB or RRT that is a known fix. While its under warranty, they get paid from DCX, so you might have to wait for them to resolve it. Or you can do what some on this forum have done and install a Transgo shift kit - from what I've read here that seems to fix the shuddering issue.

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2005 LTD CRD RB1 NAV/Htd Leather seats/Amsoil EA filters
SunCoast Mega Trans & Billet TC/PML pan/Aux cooler
Fuel cooler/Lift Pump/10um Pri/Racor R490 2um Sec Fuel Filters
IronMan Lift/Shocks/Provent/Moog ball joints/ V6 Airbox/Fan/Hayden
Cobalt Boost/EGT/Oil/Trans/Volt gauges/Aeroturbine 2525
Yeti Hot Tune/Odessey 65/Samco's/Michelin Defenders

Try this,

From a stop give it close to max power, then slow as you get to 50-55 and stay at 55, see if it will shudder for 15/20 seconds.

-G

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2006 CRD Limited, Manfufactured Dec 13/05

Have you had both transmission TSB's done? I have and seldom get the shudder.

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Dave

'06 CRD Limited, Lt. Khaki, MOPAR Slush Mats/Skids, DrawTite Front Hitch, Mag Lite, Yakima Bars, Thule Bike Rack, Fumoto, ORM, 245/70 Revo 2

Wish list: Lift, Boulder Bars, Something Bigger in the Front and Back, More Lights

At this point, they are refusing to do anything about it. I need to prove the issue repros.

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Lance Zielinski
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD
2000 VW New Beetle GLS TDI (sold)
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited (sold)

I'll have to check that shift kit out, thanks. Only concern is that will void my warranty.

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Lance Zielinski
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD
2000 VW New Beetle GLS TDI (sold)
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited (sold)

Thanks, I'll try that. That's pretty much what I told them to do anyway. Accelerate hard then taper off to a cruising speed.

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Lance Zielinski
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD
2000 VW New Beetle GLS TDI (sold)
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited (sold)

If you are planning a trip east I will introduce you to my dealer.

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Dave

'06 CRD Limited, Lt. Khaki, MOPAR Slush Mats/Skids, DrawTite Front Hitch, Mag Lite, Yakima Bars, Thule Bike Rack, Fumoto, ORM, 245/70 Revo 2

Wish list: Lift, Boulder Bars, Something Bigger in the Front and Back, More Lights

That's odd. It only takes them a couple minutes to do a "QuickLearn" on the transmission. I took mine in for the shudder problem, and they drove it, found that the transmission was screwy (they also found a "hard 3-4 shift"), and reprogrammed it in about 30 minutes total. I checked my build date and tranny serial number against all known TSB's, and it didn't match any (too new). I had the problem and they fixed it, however. The shudder is gone, but now the 4-5 shift is much more pronounced (I'm not sure if I'd go so far as to call it "hard", but its *almost* bothersome).

What you describe as a hard shift is actually a lock-up and is a software issue. The DC tech support rep I met with a few weeks ago said they are very aware of the problem and have a new software release coming soon to address the issue. The problem is embedded in the software logic in TSB 18-009-06 or 18-008-06 (whichever applies to your model year) that controls the torque converter lock-up clutch. This could happen in 3rd, 4th, or 5th gear depending on when you stop accelerating. Mine is most noticable in 3rd (35 mph) but also get a hard thump in 5th at times. They are trying to achieve an "early" torque converter lock-up to maximize fuel economy and durability of the clutch. They asked for paitence, a fix is coming.

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2005 Liberty Sport CRD, Lt Khaki, sunroof

Thankful to now be an EX-CRD owner.

I had the same shudder issue. They replaced the pcm and it was gone. The trans shifted better, my mpg went up slightly,but it still has that hard 35mph shift unless your on it.

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2005 sport crd-SOLD No regrets

I did a drive with a tech today and explained the the situation. The Jeep shifted really hard a time or two, and did one shudder, but didn't do it as bad as it does on occasion with my commute. But it was enough for the tech to agree the TSB was necessary. So back to the dealership tomorrow... yay... NOT. At least the work will finally get done. :: knock on wood ::

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Lance Zielinski
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD
2000 VW New Beetle GLS TDI (sold)
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited (sold)

What TSB are you trying to get done? The software update is not their choice (18-009-06 or 18-009-06), filter TSB (21-007-06) involves delayed engagement into reverse after prolonged parking, and 21-009-06 only applies if the torque converter comes apart.

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2005 Liberty Sport CRD, Lt Khaki, sunroof

Thankful to now be an EX-CRD owner.

I get the occassional shudder... It's always at 53mph. I've had the reflash TSB for '05s for "improved glow plug and torque converter durability."

My dealer can not reproduce it. Of course, when they came for a ride along, it would not happen. The instant they were out, it was back. I've parked mine for now to try and get back in line with my 7yr/70k power train warranty just in case. I put almost 14k miles on it in 9 months.

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'05 CRD Sport born on 06/20/05, bought on 9/23/05, L.O.S.T. on 9/27/05 - modding ever since:

Daystar 2.0" Lift, P255/70R16 Revos, Boulder Bars, Reese Front Hitch w/9k Hooks, Poison Spyder Rock Ring, MOPAR Skids/Bug Shield/Roof Rails/Mats, WARN Hitch Shackle(Rear), 10k Hitch Hook(Front), Custom Tilt/Slope Meter, Ammo Box Mod, Rotella T 5W-40.

Cool, thanks for the info. Be sure to post if you hear that the new software has been released. My dealer is pretty customer-friendly and I don't expect any problems getting it done if I call them up. I lucked out in finding a Dodge/Jeep dealer in a rural area (read "lots of experience on Cummins diesels").

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2006 Liberty Sport CRD

Got my delayed shift into reverse TSB done and one other for the ECM module on the motor or something. My shudder has gone down to none or very little. I also have gained some power I think, it pulls better down low in town, less turbo lag I think.

Vox -

I am dropping my Jeep off for a barrage of maintenance to have them replace my EGR (number 3) and asked about the TransGo shift kit. I ordered the deep trans pan and wanted them to install both while they had the Jeep. I was told that the pan was a non-warranty issue, no problem, but installing the shift kit would void the balance of my trans portion of the PowerTrain warranty.

Doesn't bother me, I am over 25K and only had it in possession for under six mojnths. I will be at 70K before the kids are out of school next year, maybe even before the last snow....

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'05 CRD Silver Sport
As Delivered:
Sunroof, Tow, 700mi
Warranty:
EGRs, TC & Pump, EGR FCV
After-market:
Guages (5), PIAA duals, Hitch & side lights,
AeroTurbine, Fumoto, 3.7L Airbox, Revos, Steps,
Cargo Tray, Hitch Rack, Bike Rails, & Slush Mats

I'm thinking it's 21-009-06 because two the three symptoms occur... the shuddering as the tranny doesn't figure out what's going on, and the rapping noise at idle.

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Lance Zielinski
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD
2000 VW New Beetle GLS TDI (sold)
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited (sold)

Now I know why they want to argue, it's the big $$$ one. I got a blank stare from my service manager when I first mentioned the TSB's for this Jeep. Have a feeling they confuse 18-009-06 with 21-009-06, part of the reluctance to do the TSB's.

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2005 Liberty Sport CRD, Lt Khaki, sunroof

Thankful to now be an EX-CRD owner.

Do those with the shuddery transmission also get a "clunk" type sound when you put it in park It feels like the transmission has torque applied to it. Kind of like pulling it out of park when your on a hill This is a all the time type problem and I may take it in because they can reproduce it. As far as a fix goes I think we can only establish a history of our problems before the warranty expires and wait for them to "get it right" I'm affraid they're going to try and fix it with a flash but I think it's going to require a different/better torque converter Only thing I think a flash will do is to prolong the failures till they're out of warranty

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Atlantic Blue 06 CRD Limited (his)
Joined by a 2000 XJ Classic (hers)