Transmission code P0700, any ideas?

74Ghia · **Joined:** Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:57 am **Posts:** 10

OK, ever since I got this Jeep 2 years ago, it's done this strange thing were the engine will stall, when the trans is in reverse or drive. It only does this upon a recent start, and usually only from a cold start. Once, driven a couple minutes it doesn't to it. Also, I seem to notice, if I let is idle for a few seconds before tossing it into gear and pulling away it helps.

Second noticed thing, on occasion when I start the Jeep, and put it in reverse, it kinda just sits there, I have to give it some throttle, and then it sluggishly pulls away. Again, if I let it idle a bit first, this seems to not happen.

Third thing, only happened one time, I was passing a truck, and floored the pedal, it down shifted, and speed up very nicely, but the check engine light came on. I'd been on a long trip, and I pulled off the next off ramp, and into a diner, shut it off, and restarted it, the CEL was still on. I went in and had some lunch, and came back out, started it, and drove off, and no CEL for the next several months.

Today, the thing did the slow moving reverse thing again, and tried to stall again...and the CEL came on again, and this time it doesn't seem to be going back off. I plugged in the GDE OBD II thing, and it only shows P0700 as a fault code. I cleared, or the thing said it had cleared, it, but the second you cycle and restart the CEL stays on (which is strange in itself) don't they usually go off, then after a bit come back on?

P0700 is a pretty generic transmission controller code, not too helpful.

The transmission works very well in all other conditions, except for these strange behaviors I've listed, it shifts smooth, shifts when it should, down shifts, doesn't slip, all-in-all feels pretty good. MPG's are around 28ish most of the time with a combo city/hwy cycle. I never tow with it (but the PO might have).

Poking around, it seems the trans pan has been off at some point, there's some RTV around it, and it seems to have seeped a bit (oily dusty dirt from the pan UP, nothing down).

Hum, what else can I tell you, the miles just turned to 86,000. Ideas? Is this that solenoid block thingy???? Or worse...

racertracer · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2014 2:59 am

See about reading the transmission codes, you will need to find a code reader capable of reading those codes.

Check the level of the transmission fluid.

Hexus · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2014 8:33 am

Did you do the Transmission service at 60,000?

I would recommend new fluid and filters. If your problem is an intermittent as you say, I really wouldn't worry about it, as it has been correcting itself or clearing. To read a code past the P0700 you will need to take your Jeep to a Transmission shop and let them use their code readers.

74Ghia · **Joined:** Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:57 am **Posts:** 10

Thanks everyone, I took it in to an indy trans shop that was recommended highly, and they checked the fluid, said that it's obvious it's been replaced (indications that the pan had been pulled at some point) the fluid was bright and clear red. But, it was low, nearly a quart low. Since they added fluid, it's been so far so good.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2014 1:04 pm

It's the classic transmission fluid drain back problem that's been not uncommon with a variety of DCJ vehicles for decades. If the vehicle sits for like 6-8+hrs and you crank up the transmission may or may not engage in reverse or drive and if it does so reluctantly then once you drive maybe 100-200' the engine will stall sometimes with sometimes without codes which will clear on their own after like 3-5 drive cycles. Short term fix that you can do long term if you want as it causes no harm - crank up vehicle after it has been sitting for a while; shift into neutral (pump works slower in park); hold high (say 1200 or so) rpm idle for like 10 seconds; shift into gear and drive; if it doesn't immediately shift into gear repeat the high idle cycle. Worked for me for like 20k miles before I got around to tranny service. Alternatively since the drain back is intermittent - crank up and shift into gear; if no "good" go then do the high idle bit.

Longer term fixes may be a) tranny service with new name brand filters one of which contains an anti-drain back valve or b) new style front pump. Either of which may or may not work; in my case I've not had the problem since Suncoast did a tranny service and installed the transgo kit.

Low fluid (be sure to use only ATF+4) can aggravate the symptoms

Hexus · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2014 2:42 pm

Ghia, I'm from the Indy area. If you need a great CRD Mechanic I can probably help you out.

Also, our Transmission dipstick is off, so over full = full. The full line is about .5 to 1 quart low.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2014 3:24 pm

Based on a lot of posts it seems the FSM filter fill and full service fill amounts of ATF are somewhat inaccurate at best. To add to that how long you leave the tranny open to drain old fluid and whether or not you do it with vehicle nose up can result in more draining out than normal. Best bet after service is to fill per the stick, drive a bit and recheck - there have been more than a few reports of underfill after service resulting in odd tranny behavior.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2014 10:05 pm

Inaccurate oil level based on the dip stick reading have been identified as a problem on many CDR's. I noticed right after I got mine that the dip stick keep pushing itself out of the tube about a 1/2" everytime I opened the hood.
I too was having the hesitation when you first put it in gear right after startup and the occasional shutter and stall right after I drove it a short distance in the parking lot after a cold start.
I serviced the transmission, replaced the drain-back valve and all the filters with Mopar OEM filters and refilled with AFT+4.
I also cut 1/2 inch off of the dipstick, and refilled to slightly over the full mark cold prior to starting.
After doing all of this, no more shutter and stall after startup. Still had the hesitation at first start after setting all night or day when placing in D or R. Found out that if you started motor and placed transmission in N for about 30 seconds, the hesitation was gone.
Had my transmission shop install a Suncoast TC and a new front pump and Transgo kit and the hesitation is completely gone now.
Hope this helps as other members have had similar problems like yours and posted advise as to how to overcome them and it worked.... :wink:

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Jun 01, 2014 8:59 am

Backing out of the tranny dipstick is fairly common. As an alternative to shortening it you can a) slightly crimp the dipstick tube as some have apparently done or b) worm clamp a bit of double sided velcro to the tube and use it to hold the dipstick handle down which is what I did

Transmission code P0700, any ideas?

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