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Transmission Problems

195K views 156 replies 78 participants last post by  vjsimone 
#1 ·
I picked up my brand new commander yesterday afternoon. Today the check engine light came on in a store parking lot, and the car felt very sluggish. Then I noticed that the display indicated that it was in 3rd gear. Won't go up or down, just stays in third. I was able to drive it home, but had a hard time starting up from stop signs with any incline. I called the dealer, and of course their service dep't is closed until Monday.

Does anybody have any idea what could be causing this? Anyone else have similar problems???
 
#129 ·
rooney2oons, nice to see you again!
 
#131 ·
I had the exact same issue on my 06 4x4 Hemi Commander. 65,000 miles, stuck in 3rd, wont shift manually, etc., etc.

Dealership said when they pulled the trans pan, there was metal due to clutches being shot. Works fine now with new trans and $3,800 later.
 
#133 ·
Surprise, surprise--I am blessed to be experiencing the problem described in detail over the last FOURTEEN PAGES. '06 Commander, non-HEMI. Started about a month ago, the usual: can't get out of second or third (or fourth or fifth; yes I've experienced each of these situations), usually it's third gear. ERSO (manual shift--I've been reading my manual!) seems to be inactive during these times. Engine light may or may not come on, have turned off car to re-set computer each time, usually correcting it temporarily (a few times I've had to stop and re-start a couple times for it to re-set correctly). Has happened probably a dozen times in all, before and after taking it to dealer; at dealer now for the third time in thirty days. They have yet to correctly diagnose it: first time they said the computer indicated a battery problem, which made no sense to me (turns out, no battery problems); second time (2.5 weeks ago) they couldn't figure anything out, finally replaced some tranny sensor which seemed like a perfect solution (HA); this time, the service foreman drove it home last night in hopes of experiencing the pattern of failure (hope he took the old lady out for dinner!) and so far today they tell me it MIGHT be a wiring problem, which likely won't be covered by the extended warranty I bought in '06 for like $1700 (one born every minute). We shall see. Dealership acts like this is some strange new problem, while this board alone discusses wire harness, tranny control module, shift control module, torque converter, filters, solenoid, pressure switch, valve body, clutch, metal in trans pan/bell housing, TSBs etc. etc. etc. solutions proposed by dealers. Certainly not a new problem. Had my bare-bones, manual '96 Cherokee Sport for 11 years until finally experiencing some problems, so I upgraded; starting to long for those simpler times....
 
#134 ·
Transmission stuck in Drive. No Manuel Shift, Engine Light on.

Hey PA Jones, Might relieve you....

3 Days ago, My check engine light comes on. I was driving and it felt sluggish off the line. Kinda like being in 3rd, and starting from a dead stop.

I went to shift into (manual) a lower gear. And no good. I had this problem in the past (about 9 month ago) and they replaced a sensor. I had it also before back a few years but not sure it was the Commander of my liberty. Im thinking Commander as I dont think i had the manual shift option in the Liberty. If I recall right the last two times it was a sensor.

I got home, and set up towing the nest day (monday) to the dealer. Since it came with roadside assistance and I didnt feel like breaking down on the highway to have it towed anyway :)

So Monday they asked to keep it till today. And today they called and said they would need to order parts. (Now, I did ask about a rental car. In NJ supposedly it is not longer legal to have loaner cars. Maybe they changed the name to courtesy car because of that), but either way , Jeep Doesnt offer loaners when there crap you buy breaks down in NJ. Sorry to say Obama's 700 Million loan didnt cover that....Anyway...

I asked for a rental car, as I understand it, it costs money from the dealer/service to pay for the whopping 35.00 rental coverage. So I figured hit them for 35.00 a day my car is sitting there. I ended up seeing rental were like 80.00 for a Aveo ( r u kidding me :) )so i didnt rent one. And luckely my truck was actually finished tonight.

I picked it up and they replaced a "shorted sensor" (input speed sensor).

They also noted the truck was noisy in front and replaced both front stabilizers, and the sway bar. (I did put in a rocky road lift) and noted the truck seemed a little more noisy like a year ago, but also noted the front end did seem to clank a little more going over railroad tracks or manhole covers. They wrote "bolt threads damaged" on the invoice. So if your truck seems a little noisy, have them check it and see if your bolts may be going bad while you there for the speed sensor.

As for Warranty. I am pleased to say my 50.00 deductable covered all the work and labor. So, I did do a wheel balance and rotation as a courtesy to the dealer. I was shocked how they actually fixed the car today. Also he (the guy when he called) said he needed to order a part for the transmission, but yet he had it done tonight. But he is the same guy, who lost one of my sets of keys (stating they need both for an auto start install, which they DONT need two sets). They he was getting me a new key ordered. And then when I told him to get it cut since he lost it, he was like a babbling baby. So i called 5 days later and was like where is my key, and by then my key had reappeared. So I told him to fed ex it to me overnight, or bring it to my house in a loaner car he didnt have since he screwed up , and i was not going back to him to pick up a lost key, a replaced key, and now a found key.

Im glad my warranty covered all this. And I understand no car is perfect. But dont ask me about **** like a wheel alignment and tune up when Im waiting for my car to be fixed and your offering me no transporation.

The girl at the cashier counter was incredibly hot. Sexy, Nice rack and pinion!!!:banana_hitit:
Little Falls, NJ Jeep.
So far I give them A plus rating for my two times there.
There service did finish my last two jobs quickly.
The guy at the service dept, he is an absolute dummy. Its like you ask him something and he doesn't have a clue. I'd expect to find him at home depot where they all work and dont have a clue........
 
#139 ·
I have been having a similar problem with my 09 Commander. It keeps getting stuck in a limp mode but there are no warning lights coming on or codes being stored. I have had 3 repairs performed with no fix yet. I have had a connection repair with a sensor in the valve body, the front plate on the valve body replaced and the tcm replaced but it continues to happen about 1-2 times a week. Haven't even had the car for a year. Anyway please post any fix you may receive.
 
#141 ·
Hi I am in UK, 3ltr deisel commander
I and the previous owner have transmission problems
The gear change is not smooth and sometimes it is as if it is not in gear then jerks forward.
It has had the electrical plug changed, new gear shift module and the valve inside transmission changed.

But still not happy with performance

During all this when you first switch the following message very quickly flashs up before normal display. Had to film it and slow down on computer to read

" Transmission over temp" this even when cold from over night and dealer says not dtc's showing

Milage now 17,000 was 5,700 when bought

Any thoughts or anybody had same?

Thanks
 
#147 · (Edited)
Hi there fellow Brit,

Oh dont get me started.....I had 3No transmissions replaced on my 3.0ltr CRD, the dealer was no use what so ever....i never did really find out the truth of the problem....they say it was a bad trans mounting and alignment that caused the continual failures...I'm not so sure.

I hope you dont take yours to JCT 600, I did twice and boy are they totally stupid!

I'll check back through my records, i'll see what i can find.

I'll be back soon. :)
 
#142 · (Edited)
Sounds like something similar that I am going through now. I have an 06; 2wd commander with 79000 miles. For the last few days when slowing down for a stop light or sign, as the xmsn downshifts it seems to "jerk" into 2nd or 1st gear. It happens about once a day for the past week. I have tried to duplicate it with different driving styles but nothing happens. When I try to manually shift down to 1st gear I feel a similar "jerk" but I dont think its only happening in that gear when in D. I have not yet had it looked at for that reason but plan too soon. If you get an answer please post it and I will do the same. Also I am in Texas now and the weather is.... Hot and Humid so I dont think it has anything to do with the problems in the earlier posts.

I have not noted the RPM when that happens and I notice no real difference in performance other then that sudden "jerk". Also, there has been no Transmission light that comes on.
 
#144 ·
Sounds like something similar that I am going through now. I have an 06; 2wd commander with 79000 miles. For the last few days when slowing down for a stop light or sign, as the xmsn downshifts it seems to "jerk" into 2nd or 1st gear. It happens about once a day for the past week. I have tried to duplicate it with different driving styles but nothing happens. When I try to manually shift down to 1st gear I feel a similar "jerk" but I dont think its only happening in that gear when in D. I have not yet had it looked at for that reason but plan too soon. If you get an answer please post it and I will do the same. Also I am in Texas now and the weather is.... Hot and Humid so I dont think it has anything to do with the problems in the earlier posts.

I have not noted the RPM when that happens and I notice no real difference in performance other then that sudden "jerk". Also, there has been no Transmission light that comes on.
Mine now seems sorted after a complete transmission replacement under warranty.
Chyrsler techincian came up but would not talk to me at all, report given to dealer was nothing found but fault most probaly in trans and authorised a replacement.

Still have the "over temp " message and they are trying to say it is nothing just a characteristic of the software "beleive " it is that they do not know what is causing it.

I did check through the tsb's and any relevant ones were flagged up to the dealer for action but nothing resolved

The dealer did say however that the 2008 GC's were flashed to update the software but it cannot not be done for the commander??
which has the same running gear. Revison version not compatible??

Apart from the " temp" message which I still have I also still have the hesitation on applying the accelerator after coasting e.g. like coming off roundabouts etc.
 
#143 ·
Just had my Commander serviced for the problems you described

I have had the same jerking issues with my transmission. I did some research online and found out there was a TSB for this problem. I took it to the dealership and they flashed the computer with new PCM software and it seems to be working properly again. No more jerking and erratic shifting. Granted I just had this done yesterday, but it hasn't happened since. Also there is a period where the PCM has to re-learn your driving habit/style and the software adjusts the shift points in the tranny. I have read it takes ~ 500 miles but don't quote me on that. The cost was $110 for all related TSB's so you can imagine my relief. I thought I was in for major work. There are many software related TSB's so check the list and find all that apply to your Commander. I found 3 that were fixed with the software. A list of TSB's can be found here http://www.xkjeeps.com/xk_tsb.htm Hope this helps! I will re-post later if the problem arises again.
 
#145 · (Edited)
I just bought my Commander about 1 month ago. I Have recently noticed that when you shift from park to drive and punch it something strange happens. the engine will rev for 1 sec then die down then slowly rev back up and start moving the truck. It also happens if I shift from neutral to drive. It only lasts for about 2 or 3 seconds and doesn't ever happen from a stop just when newly shifted into drive. Is this something that is bad that I should have looked at? or is this a failsafe system Jeep built into the computer? any Help would be great!

by the way its a 07, 3.7L
 
#148 ·
Greetings! I have an 07 commander and love it, In the past few weeks a "whining" noise started. Sounds like fan on high but only sounds when i accelerate and car isnt remotely hot. This leads me to think its the tranny. How to fix whiny transmission or should i trade it before it gets worse? HELP!
 
#149 ·
specpot

My UK spec 07 commander 5.7 hemi has recently developed a very similar auto box problem. Gone into safe mode indicating 3rd but in 2nd and moves with lots of revs but not really controllable as jerks and goes quickly. It has only done 30K UK miles and has been serviced more or less on schedule by Jeep apart from the last service at 27K miles. As it broke down on holiday in the far north of Scotland there were no Jeep dealers so the local main Ford dealer ran a limited diagnostic on it and found low oil pressure & perhaps a blocked filter but could not even start to fix it. Recovered 250 miles to main Jeep dealer who tell me I need a new (rebuilt) gearbox and torque convertor. Cost £GB 6200 inc tax. Currently asking Jeep Europe for a serious contribution as a car that cost £GB36K new should not require such a repair at 30K miles. I can get a specialist repairer to recon my own transmission for £GB 2800 so I think Jeep are taking the mince as we say in Scotland. Seems to be a lot of posts about auto box failure. Jeep have asked my dealer if they think it is a manufacturing defect but they seem to think Jeep are going to find fault with the service record and blame it on that. Car never towed more than 1500 kg for not many miles and never been off road other than in a muddy field.
 
#150 ·
Mines stuck in 3rd too :-(

Hi, another brit here.

JC 5.7L Limited on 60,000ish miles

2 nights ago it was cold and icy (2c) and I was gonna drive home from work. Whilst pulling away I noticed the car was shuddering and driving really slow, then I realised it was stuck in 3rd gear! Going from N to D made the car jump forward and was instantly in 3rd gear. Restarting didn't help. Pushing left and right did nothing, except holding the stick to the right made it display 'D' but was actually still stuck in 3rd. Letting go just flipped back to '3'. Managed to get home but the check engine light came on during the journey. DTC code P0700.

Next day, engine light is still on but looks like I can use it as normal (not driven it but no longer selects '3'). Taking it to Jeep tomorrow, will let you know what they think. I suspect the cold weather had something to do with the problem. I've only had the car 2 months so I really hope this is a one off!
 
#152 ·
A couple of comments from the field. I had similar issues where the trans would go searching for shift points. I bought a Diablo InTune and use the Diablo program. Problem solved. During highway cruising with the cruise control on I also noticed a thud. Turns out the MDS transition is too harsh...so I turned it off (another benefit of the InTune).
 
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