My 2004 CRD sometimes drops into Limp Mode, only shifting in 2nd and 3rd. I am throwing a code that implies the Transmission Control Module has sensed that a valve in the transmission solenoid pack has failed to actuate three consecutive times.

When the transmission is operating properly, it shifts smoothly and correctly. When it drops into Limp Mode, it just downshifts to 3rd and works correctly for Limp Mode, shifting smoothly between 2nd and 3rd and back to 2nd appropriately.

I was originally leaning towards replacing the speed sensors and the solenoid pack on my transmission but now I am not sure about the solenoid pack. I would guess that if there was a realy problem with the solenoid pack it would have to show up in the transmission operation somehow.

So now I am thinking I will replace the speed sensors and see what happens. If the problem persists then go for a TCM.

Please share your thoughts with me. Do we have a transmission guru on the forum?

Thanks for your help.

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Stone White 2005 KJ Limited CRD.
EHS, ORM, Fixed Flex Fan done.
Does EXACTLY what I expected pulling my 20 ft bass boat, chasing reds up and down the beach at North Padre Island.

NOT a guru of any sort, but I do have a simple suggestion, based on recent experience.

Buy a bottle of ATF +4.

Compare the color and viscosity of that fluid (at the same temperature- leave it in the Jeep overnight) to what is in your transmission now.

I was amazed at how much more sticky and viscous the fluid that WAS in my CRD was than real ATF +4, and a partial removal has made a significant difference in transmission performance. It is not operating correctly yet, but it has improved significantly.

If, like me, somebody in the past has tried to save a few bucks by using non spec fluids, you probably want to get back to baseline.

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Grid power- the one true essential

2005 Liberty CRD- ARP studs, Fumoto, Hayden FC, inline Tstat, ETechno 7v GP, Platinum P1, in-tank lift pump.
1983 Volvo D24T
1981 Volvo D24
Dodge Cummins TD
Case 580B
Mitsubishi MT180 diesel
Kubota BX25 diesel

Thanks. Will do. Maybe at low temp the fluid in my tranny is too "sticky" causing the solenoids to actuate slowly enough the fault is picked up by the TCM and putting the car in limp mode. I had fluids changed at Jiffy Lube and made sure that ATF-4 was the needed fluid, and I paid extra for it, but sho knows?> Your comparison is simple and easy so I am all for it.

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Stone White 2005 KJ Limited CRD.
EHS, ORM, Fixed Flex Fan done.
Does EXACTLY what I expected pulling my 20 ft bass boat, chasing reds up and down the beach at North Padre Island.

Question: Did the issues with transmission shifting happen before or after your Jiffy Lube visit?

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Grid power- the one true essential

2005 Liberty CRD- ARP studs, Fumoto, Hayden FC, inline Tstat, ETechno 7v GP, Platinum P1, in-tank lift pump.
1983 Volvo D24T
1981 Volvo D24
Dodge Cummins TD
Case 580B
Mitsubishi MT180 diesel
Kubota BX25 diesel

It was after by about 3 to 4 months. I contacted the store that did the service and found out they use a "universal " fluid for atf4 replacement so I am going to replace with the real stuff and see what happens.

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Stone White 2005 KJ Limited CRD.
EHS, ORM, Fixed Flex Fan done.
Does EXACTLY what I expected pulling my 20 ft bass boat, chasing reds up and down the beach at North Padre Island.

So you paid extra for ATF+4 and they put in "universal" sounds like grounds for a rather pointed complaint as there is no such thing for ATF+4. FYI you will probably have to do like 3 maybe 4 fill, drive a bit, drain to get rid of whatever it is they put in there something they really should pay for not that I expect they will see it that way. Sigh

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs

They said the satute of limitations had run out. Had the service done in November 2010. I decided to take the fluid out the fill pipe so I rigged my shop vac with a catch bottle and a 1/.4 inch poly line that would easily go down the fill tube. Work good but I only got 5 quarts out of the fill pipe. I even jacked up the rear end about 7 inches to tilt the tranny forward. That got me an extra pint.

I needed the jeep tomorrow so I put 5 quarts of Castrol ATF4+, idled in neutral for ten minutes, drove up a couple of challenging hills to work the tranny and it did fine. Seemed to shift smoother but it may be a placebo effect. The tranny drops into limp mode sporadically so I wasn't surprised that it worked perfectly - and I only changed out 1/.3 of the fluid.

I am going to put a couple hundred miles on it and see what happens. If the problem persists then I am going to pull the pan - work is I can get 10 quarts that way (where were my other 5 quarts today?) If the problem clears I'll drop the pan, change the filters and see what happens. More to come.

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Stone White 2005 KJ Limited CRD.
EHS, ORM, Fixed Flex Fan done.
Does EXACTLY what I expected pulling my 20 ft bass boat, chasing reds up and down the beach at North Padre Island.

When you get a few more miles on it and mix the ATF+4 with the crap they put in, drain it out so you get rid of more of the crap and get the blend closer to spec. To do the job completely, you would need to flush out or replace the torque converter and pull the front pump to drain out the rest. So unless you plan to go that far, do another change and get closer to the ATF+4 as you can.

I think a total drain after swapping the Torque Converter and removing the Valve body along with the front pump takes 14 qts (17qts with my PML pan). Closer you get to doing the whole thing the better.

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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

My experience was that by dropping the pan and leaving the transmission to drain overnight I got about 9 quarts out. While I had the pan off I installed a drain plug. I plan to do another drain and refill as soon as the stars align. I have been told that you can remove the valve body and get more out, but 9/14 twice works for me.

As regards Jiffy lube, I would raise hell about this screwup. The independents depend on superior service. I would tell them that if you wanted an idiot to destroy your Jeep you would have taken it to the dealer. YMMV.

Good luck!

_________________
Grid power- the one true essential

2005 Liberty CRD- ARP studs, Fumoto, Hayden FC, inline Tstat, ETechno 7v GP, Platinum P1, in-tank lift pump.
1983 Volvo D24T
1981 Volvo D24
Dodge Cummins TD
Case 580B
Mitsubishi MT180 diesel
Kubota BX25 diesel