545RFE popping out of gear?

offroadsubaru · **Posted:** Sat May 05, 2007 5:40 pm

Alright,

So in the course of a conversation of my dad over the phone about cars, I asked him how the CRD was doing. He mentioned that on a recent trip to Central Montana, the CRD had popped out of gear 3 times -- while cruising at 70-75 mph on Montana interstate. The transmission just went into neutral while the engine revved and was corrected each time by moving the selector from "D" to "N" and back to "D" which re-engaged the transmission. I told him to get it to the local dealer as soon as reasonable and have them take a look at it.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? Since the transmission is not specific to the CRD, I'm not treating this issue as "CRD specific". Could this be related to incorrect (i.e. low) transmission fluid levels? I did a search of the archives and found nothing conclusive.

Thanks!

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sat May 05, 2007 6:14 pm

I seem to remember something about a Drive to Neutral to Drive problem that was mentioned a time ago. I can't remember if it was a "recall" or just a post about tranny locking up in that event. Someone might remember the exact details in a bit.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Sun May 06, 2007 9:31 am

I believe it was mine that was doing that, but never experienced it while cruising at expressway speeds. It was always while coasting or during a rolling stop and went back into gear on it's own (slam, screech, weeeee!). It went away when the filter TSB was done. If I had to follow a hunch would start with cheap & simple, servicing the transmission with new filters (there are two of them). If you haven't had the F37 castration done, may want to consider it as the filter service is included on their shortlist.

offroadsubaru · **Posted:** Sun May 06, 2007 12:46 pm

RF -- Actually, this CRD is a Feb 2006 build so it was "born neutered" as my dad found out when he tried to take it in for F37 -- built too late to be excluded for the recall list. I'll try and dig up the filter TSB and present it to my dad so that he'll have something to present the dealer. I'd get him on here to post about his CRD himself, but he's content to let me (a Subaru guy who told him to buy the Jeep) be his "Internet forum mouthpiece". Thanks for the advice.

offroadsubaru · **Posted:** Sun May 06, 2007 12:54 pm

Update: darn -- I just looked at the filter TSB and it looks like only very early 2006s are included in its scope. I'll send my dad a copy of it anyway to have when he does take the Jeep to the dealer next week.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Sun May 06, 2007 4:24 pm

offroadsubaru wrote:

RF -- Actually, this CRD is a Feb 2006 build so it was "born neutered" as my dad found out when he tried to take it in for F37 -- built too late to be excluded for the recall list. I'll try and dig up the filter TSB and present it to my dad so that he'll have something to present the dealer. I'd get him on here to post about his CRD himself, but he's content to let me (a Subaru guy who told him to buy the Jeep) be his "Internet forum mouthpiece". Thanks for the advice.

I guess this would bring up another dilemma, fix it on you own nickle or argue with DCX to get filter service work done under warranty....If you complain to your DCX dealer that it's dropping out of gear, they may just do the filter TSB (21-007-06) as a start.

Keep in mind that this TSB is over a year old, issued twice, and was supposed to fix a failure problem believed to be related to filter construction. Wouldn't be the first time DCX got it wrong (ie...cleaned-up the mess with the F37). This transmission model has some known issues that are not CRD specific (and they know it) as someone I know went through with his '05 Ram V-6/Auto.

o8k · **Posted:** Sun May 06, 2007 7:04 pm

my CRD does somthing VERY similar to this. Though ive wondered if it was just it downshifting unexpectedly. It happens to me when im in 5th gear and the rpms are about 1800 er so. i have had it happen a few times now, i dont recall having to put into neutral and back to drive tho. I thing the 5speed auto tranny in the CRD's are possesed, dont like them at all, flat out annoy me.... 1800 rpm is max torque, but the stupid tranny will downshift if you push the peddel down, not even hard. Well maybe its best that way but i like my 5speed manual on the TDI better,,, WAY BETTER.....

Either way, yes i have had somthing similar happen to me and im on the verge of taking it in to have it looked at.....

kjfishman · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 7:17 am

offroadsubaru wrote:

Update: darn -- I just looked at the filter TSB and it looks like only very early 2006s are included in its scope. I'll send my dad a copy of it anyway to have when he does take the Jeep to the dealer next week.

The filter TSB listed the symptons as slow to engage when first started if it has been sitting for a couple days. I think they used the wrong filters, I think they had check valves in them and shouldn't have had them. The service bulliten is based on the transmissions build date. The date on the transmission and easy to find , the TSB describes where to look.

I had to argue with them to get it done. The F37 recall should have covered this.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 9:29 am

If memory serves the F-31 covered one filter unless you screamed and shouted or had a good dealer. I had a good dealer so both of mine got change. Also, if you did it first out I think the first ones were just one of the filters. It also modified OBD program to fix an earlier problem that made the code unreadable

The F-37 did the F-31 over if it had not been done but did both filters, repaired or replaced TC, and some claim radically changed the programming to detune operations.

Offroad...if your folks have concerns about their local dealer I have been very happy with Barton in Spokane. I do always go in with armed with some information gathered here and I think that makes a difference at a lot of service writers. I think they feel less wiggle room with an informed consumer.

offroadsubaru · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 10:03 am

Cowcatcher -- the local dealer to my folks is Cascade Autocenter in Wenatchee. They pair their Jeep showroom with Subaru & Mazda (Chevrolet & Cadillac are also sold there). If they don't get good service on this issue there, Spokane is within driving distance. Being diesel specific shouldn't be too much of an issue as this relates to a transmission that is used in other Jeep & Dodge products.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2007 2:09 pm

offroadsubaru wrote:

Cowcatcher -- the local dealer to my folks is Cascade Autocenter in Wenatchee. They pair their Jeep showroom with Subaru & Mazda (Chevrolet & Cadillac are also sold there). If they don't get good service on this issue there, Spokane is within driving distance. Being diesel specific shouldn't be too much of an issue as this relates to a transmission that is used in other Jeep & Dodge products.

You know I don't know how you find a good dealer for any car. I am just glad that Barton seems to beone of them. They are only Jeep and don't have diesel experience but they seem to try real hard and they have been in business, family owned, for years.

With respect to the transmission, I ran a google search on the model and thewre were tons of recalls and TSB's all across the D/C product line for problems with it. So...we are not alone, although there may be some specific issues related to it an the torque of a 4 banger diesel.

Good luck.

545RFE popping out of gear?

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