Noticed on a couple of occasions that under what I thought was moderate accelerations my RPMs reach just over 5,000 rpms prior to my auto trans downshifting. I noted the read line starts at 5,500 rpms. Anyone noted this and or is it common. Never had an auto trans achieve close to red-line rpm’s before.

 

Yup, does it all the time. In cruise on a steep hill set at 70, it will downshift to 2nd. Right around 5400 rpm. Also when I go to pass someone. Try to accelerate, and it downshifts. I just gave up on the idea of passing anyone.

A 5000lb brick doesn't like to go fast. The 3.8 just doesn't have enough to do it.

 

I don't understand why you're saying that downshifting is a problem... downshifting allows the engine to work harder, higher up in the rev range, where it's making better power... If it's downshifting, then it's allowing you to go faster, quicker.

If it were upshifting, I could see THAT being a problem for passing...

 

On very steep mountain passes, it goes over 5,000 rpm when I try to stay around 70~75 mph (Overdrive on or off either way). Well, the speed limit is 65 mph or less in the mountain passes (many people here drive 10 mph faster than speed limit because we don't get tickets up to 10 mph over), and I can keep the speed limit without crossing the 5,000 rpm mark.

On local street with very steep hills (35~45 mph), I downshift to 2nd. Much easier to climb up. Stays around 3,000 ~ 3,500 rpm.

 

I have had reving >5k rpm's quite a few times with my Sept build JK auto trans.
For me it occurs mostly when driving up hills and trying to accelerate with overdrive on. The damn thing revs way up and does not accelerate/downshift until I release pedal pressure and then depress again. It's all electronic so the firmware is what is f'd up.
When I had it in to the dealer for the stall bug reprogram and mentioned it to the service guys, they hadn't heard of this... of course. I made sure they entered it into their computer database.
This can be a very dangerous safety issue... when pulling out to accelerate to pass up a hill, and the damn thing revs high and decelerates.
I just drive the hills with the od switch off now.

 

Mine does the same thing. stomp on the gas and boom red line. I read somewhere on here that someone bought the stage I chip and that seemed to help things out. I for one don't have the cash to buy a chip so what do we do? I am guess we have to deal with it unless someone has a better idea. Any suggestions?
Andrew

 

Sounds like you guys have torque converter problems. I hit the gas, it downshifts, revs high, but it goes. It doesn't just sit there spinning up. It does get very close to redline before it upshifts if I keep my foot in it.

 

I agree with john L Mine is just like his! No problems on hills or in mud.

 

OK - good diagnosis John L. Mine will do the same: It'll rev plenty high before shifting, but it DOES shift...

 

Mine down shifts great, and goes close to red every time. As long as it doesn't pass the line I'm ok with it.