I bought my Liberty in February 2006 and a couple months later installed a Transgo kit. The transmission has given me years of trouble-free service.

Last October I went to Minnesota with my 20' utility trailer and hauled back a bunch of radio equipment I got on Ebay. The trailer and equipment were probably 3000-3500 lbs total. A couple times on the way home I felt the 'shudder' when it shifted into overdrive. It never did that before or since.

A couple months later I started having problems with the transmission. In the morning when I left for work the transmission would clunk at ~8mph and shift from first to third and stay in third. If I cycled the power it would work fine for the rest of the trip. It would do this 90% of the time I left for work in the morning or left work in the evening. It seemed to be related to the Jeep sitting for several hours. It gave codes for speed sensors and incorrect gear ratio in fifth.

A couple months ago I changed the fluid and filters. Fluid didn't look or smell bad. I removed and cleaned the speed sensors. They both measured ~525 ohms. For a few weeks afterwards the transmission performed perfectly. But I've started getting the 'first to third' problem again...maybe once a week. Now the code it gives is P0871. I notice it's more apt to happen on a cold morning. The other thing I've noticed are the 2-3 shifts. Sometimes they are smooth. Sometimes they chatter. Sometimes it's a delay/slam type of shift. They usually start smooth then become harsh. This has happened since the fluid/filter change.

Any ideas? I've been using OEM filters I bought in 2006. Could this be a drainback issue?

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My Jeep Liberty page

ORM, air filter mod, and less restrictive exhaust has increased my 'everyday' driving 3 mpg.

The 2-3 shift issue may be the resistor installed from the Transgo shift kit which fools the trans pressure sensor to increase the transmission hydraulic pressure.

I had the 2-3 shift issue after installing the Transgo shift kit. Sometimes the 2-3 shift was smooth, other timed it was so harsh it would jar your eye teeth! Called Transgo and they suggested removing the resistor which I did. 2-3 shift issue went away.

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2005 Liberty CRD Limited (Cracked Block) Sold
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On another forum, I read that .... the code may represent a problem with the valve body and shift selenoid.

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2006 Liberty Limited CRD, Deep Beryl Green, Yeti tune, Arp studs, new cams, rockers, lifters, TB. "Green Monster"
2005 Liberty Sport CRD, Deep Beryl Green, GDE Hot Tune, ARP studs. "Rocket"
1982 Fiat 124 Spider Convertible. "Fiona"

There were some bad filters Chrysler sold in 2006 and a few Transmissions were trashed from filter splitting. You may have gotten stuck with one.
One mode I made was to install a Magnifine filter on the return line from the Trans Cooler. The Magnifine removes the tiny steel particles that can build up in the valve body spool valves due to the magnetic coils. After installing the Magnifine, I have noticed smoother shifting in a couple months. Later I found out that some OEMs use Magnifine filters on their rebuilt transmissions to reduce warranty issues.

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2006 Pearl Green CRD
Magnaflow 2 1/2" Cat Back
KJ Extra Leg Room Brackets, Carter Lift Pump, V6 Airbox, ORM
Fuel cooler, Oil Separator, Progard 7
Gauges EGT Boost Trans Temp Oil Pres, Michelin LXT AT2 245 70 R16
7,000# Draw Tight hitch, PML EX Deep Trans Pan
Centrifuge, SunCoast, Transgo, RAM TCM, InMotion Stage 2
Wife's 99 TDI VW Beetle

Thanks for the replies. Here is an update to the situation.

I replaced the pressure sensor and the harsh 2-3 shift went away. I had previously removed the Transgo resistor. I installed a Magnifine filter a few months ago.

I changed the filters with Wix products. While I was in there I happened to notice that some of the the cover plate screws had backed off and the cover plate on the valve body was loose on one end. I dropped the valve body and retightened all the cover plate screws with locktite.

I disconnected the battery when I did the maintenance and for the first week or so you could tell it was relearning. After that it worked great for weeks. Good, firm shifts. No hard 2-3 shifts. No 1-3 shifts. The transmission felt better than it has in a long time.

However, the last several times I've driven it it has started doing the 1-3 shift thing again. Sigh....

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My Jeep Liberty page

ORM, air filter mod, and less restrictive exhaust has increased my 'everyday' driving 3 mpg.

My suspicion would be that you may have a pump issue, but I am not an expert in auto transmissions. Mike Rausch is, and he may have an opinion. Mike?

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2005 Liberty CRD- ARP studs, Fumoto, Hayden FC, inline Tstat, ETechno 7v GP, Platinum P1, in-tank lift pump.
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