View Poll Results: How is your Automatic transmission treating you?
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Automatic JK Transmission Problems POLL
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Rocky Mount, NC
Have auto '08 unlimited x w/ 3.73 gears. Have towed 10' trailor w/ 2 ATVs. Also, have been all day wheeling at Uwharrie National Park b4. Have not had overheat or vibration issues. However, it continually shifts up & down w/o towing. Very annoying. Any solutions to this problem?
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,904
Likes: 185
From: Maine
Have auto '08 unlimited x w/ 3.73 gears. Have towed 10' trailor w/ 2 ATVs. Also, have been all day wheeling at Uwharrie National Park b4. Have not had overheat or vibration issues. However, it continually shifts up & down w/o towing. Very annoying. Any solutions to this problem?
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: McLean, Virginia
2008 JK 2d Wrangler Sahara auto Transmission Problems
I posted this letter I've just sent to Chrysler on my thread....I'm about ready to junk the truck..It is almost undriveable as it is:
Dear Sir:
I have an ever-deepening problem with the 4 speed automatic transmission of my 2008 Wrangler JK Sahara described below.
1. -- Condition: 50 mph, 3rd gear, o/d on, 2100 rpm:
-- Problem: Accelerating, especially going slightly uphill. When I press the accelerator, the rpms, rather than rising, drop to 1200 rpm, bogging the truck down. To accelerate the throttle must be mashed almost to the floor. The transmission then occasionally downshifts to 2nd at 55 mph, showing 5,500 to 6,000 rpm on the tach. Trying to accelerate into traffic on a freeway access ramp is terrifying. At times the only way I get the truck moving is to reach down and turn off the o/d almost like a manual shift.
2. -- Condition: 50 mph, level freeway, o/d off, 2100 rpm:
-- Problem: To keep the transmission from upshifting-downshifting every 2 seconds on the slightest slope, I often turn off the o/d when in a 50 mph zone. Yet, when I try to accelerate, the rpms will still drop to 1200 (slowly). The truck just bogs down. This could be life-threatening as I cannot get out of the way of anyone in an emergency.
3. -- Condition: 30 mph, on pavement, going up a hill, 2nd gear, 2100 rpm:
-- Problem: To keep the transmission from shifting between 2nd and 3rd every few seconds, I follow the manual and put it into 2nd. However, upon reaching the steepest pitch of the hill, the engine coming under heavier load, the revs drop slowly to 1200 rpms, leaving me stranded. I have to mash the throttle to keep from bogging down. Upon depressing the throttle, the revs pick back up to 2100 rpm, only to drop again slowly to 1200 almost immediately.
4. -- Condition: 25-30 mph, 4WD-H, on the beach, 2nd gear, 2100 rpms:
-- As soon as I hit deep sand and the engine comes under load similar to number 3 above, the revs drop to 1200. I have to mash the throttle, sometimes dropping the transmission into 1st and 3500 rpms, spinning the tires and leaving me in a very difficult situation. I cannot run 2nd gear on the beach as the torque converter is constantly cutting in and out, revs changing between 1200 and 2100 every few seconds and the engine bogging down.
This problem first became noticeable in January 2009 when I had about 4,000 miles on the truck, 7 months after I bought it. It is getting progressively worse to the point where it is dangerous. I have taken it 4 times to Jeep dealers with following results:
-- Tysons Jeep noted that other 2008 Wrangler Sahara’s do not have this problem. The transmission specialist said this is caused by a hyper-sensitive torque converter, adding there should be no reason for the torque converter to lock in. He sent the data to Jeep. Jeep refused to recognize the problem claiming the transmission is “doing what it is supposed to do.” (see receipt).
-- Manasas Jeep’s transmission specialist spent 2 hours with his computer in the truck. He observed the rpm drop in 2nd gear at 30 mph on a steep hill (see 3 above), the difficulty getting the throttle to respond, the hyper-active constant changes in rpm’s at a constant throttle pressure. He said it was definitely the torque converter locking in, but he could do nothing unless Jeep acknowledges a problem. He commented that he has not seen this problem in other 2008 Wrangler transmissions.
Sir, in 50 years of driving, 35 years of those years owning a Jeep, I have never encountered anything like this. This is the WORST transmission I have ever seen. It is quite simply dangerous and undriveable. I cannot comfortably drive on the freeway, in hills, off-road or on the beach. I would like someone knowledgeable from Jeep to drive my JK for two days. I will pay for the gas. I defy anyone to drive that truck for a day, and afterwards say with a straight face that there is not something seriously wrong with it. It is an accident waiting to happen.
Dear Sir:
I have an ever-deepening problem with the 4 speed automatic transmission of my 2008 Wrangler JK Sahara described below.
1. -- Condition: 50 mph, 3rd gear, o/d on, 2100 rpm:
-- Problem: Accelerating, especially going slightly uphill. When I press the accelerator, the rpms, rather than rising, drop to 1200 rpm, bogging the truck down. To accelerate the throttle must be mashed almost to the floor. The transmission then occasionally downshifts to 2nd at 55 mph, showing 5,500 to 6,000 rpm on the tach. Trying to accelerate into traffic on a freeway access ramp is terrifying. At times the only way I get the truck moving is to reach down and turn off the o/d almost like a manual shift.
2. -- Condition: 50 mph, level freeway, o/d off, 2100 rpm:
-- Problem: To keep the transmission from upshifting-downshifting every 2 seconds on the slightest slope, I often turn off the o/d when in a 50 mph zone. Yet, when I try to accelerate, the rpms will still drop to 1200 (slowly). The truck just bogs down. This could be life-threatening as I cannot get out of the way of anyone in an emergency.
3. -- Condition: 30 mph, on pavement, going up a hill, 2nd gear, 2100 rpm:
-- Problem: To keep the transmission from shifting between 2nd and 3rd every few seconds, I follow the manual and put it into 2nd. However, upon reaching the steepest pitch of the hill, the engine coming under heavier load, the revs drop slowly to 1200 rpms, leaving me stranded. I have to mash the throttle to keep from bogging down. Upon depressing the throttle, the revs pick back up to 2100 rpm, only to drop again slowly to 1200 almost immediately.
4. -- Condition: 25-30 mph, 4WD-H, on the beach, 2nd gear, 2100 rpms:
-- As soon as I hit deep sand and the engine comes under load similar to number 3 above, the revs drop to 1200. I have to mash the throttle, sometimes dropping the transmission into 1st and 3500 rpms, spinning the tires and leaving me in a very difficult situation. I cannot run 2nd gear on the beach as the torque converter is constantly cutting in and out, revs changing between 1200 and 2100 every few seconds and the engine bogging down.
This problem first became noticeable in January 2009 when I had about 4,000 miles on the truck, 7 months after I bought it. It is getting progressively worse to the point where it is dangerous. I have taken it 4 times to Jeep dealers with following results:
-- Tysons Jeep noted that other 2008 Wrangler Sahara’s do not have this problem. The transmission specialist said this is caused by a hyper-sensitive torque converter, adding there should be no reason for the torque converter to lock in. He sent the data to Jeep. Jeep refused to recognize the problem claiming the transmission is “doing what it is supposed to do.” (see receipt).
-- Manasas Jeep’s transmission specialist spent 2 hours with his computer in the truck. He observed the rpm drop in 2nd gear at 30 mph on a steep hill (see 3 above), the difficulty getting the throttle to respond, the hyper-active constant changes in rpm’s at a constant throttle pressure. He said it was definitely the torque converter locking in, but he could do nothing unless Jeep acknowledges a problem. He commented that he has not seen this problem in other 2008 Wrangler transmissions.
Sir, in 50 years of driving, 35 years of those years owning a Jeep, I have never encountered anything like this. This is the WORST transmission I have ever seen. It is quite simply dangerous and undriveable. I cannot comfortably drive on the freeway, in hills, off-road or on the beach. I would like someone knowledgeable from Jeep to drive my JK for two days. I will pay for the gas. I defy anyone to drive that truck for a day, and afterwards say with a straight face that there is not something seriously wrong with it. It is an accident waiting to happen.
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 621
Likes: 1
From: Redondo Beach, Ca.
No problems, but it took a trip to Canada to understand/teach the downshifting. I was 
when it would 5500 rpm (2 times) on a uphill grade. But once I understood not to punch the throttle, when it was to down shift the Jeep was fine. Now, down shifts up to 3300 rpm and to me that is perfect for my driving habits. 
when it would 5500 rpm (2 times) on a uphill grade. But once I understood not to punch the throttle, when it was to down shift the Jeep was fine. Now, down shifts up to 3300 rpm and to me that is perfect for my driving habits.
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, NY
23k in 14 months and so far so good, knock wood (DO IT!).
Location of OD button is horible! but I suspect that's a different designer that needs to be slapped. (whats wrong with a thumb switch on the GEAR SELECTOR handle, ya know, so we can SELECT ALL GEARS FROM THE SAME PLACE! Sheesh!)
oh, and for the late 1-2 shift comments: many trannys are designed to hold the upshifts to higher RPMs when cold. it helps a cold tranny & especially engine so it's not lugging. is that what ur feeling?
Location of OD button is horible! but I suspect that's a different designer that needs to be slapped. (whats wrong with a thumb switch on the GEAR SELECTOR handle, ya know, so we can SELECT ALL GEARS FROM THE SAME PLACE! Sheesh!)
oh, and for the late 1-2 shift comments: many trannys are designed to hold the upshifts to higher RPMs when cold. it helps a cold tranny & especially engine so it's not lugging. is that what ur feeling?