My transmission has been up shifting from 2nd to 3rd (drive) very sluggishly. Its related to the following I think.

Climbing a hill on pavement at 25 mph...I put it into 2nd to keep it from shifting. But it continues to try to upshift...revs drop from 2100 to 1800 and down to 1200 then back up to 2100.

In High 4WD on the beach sand...running at 20-25 mph...I put it into 2nd. It should stay in 2nd..It should not upshift to 3rd. Yet, when it gets a slight load (as in deep sand) it tries to upshift to 3rd...revs drop from 2100 to 1800 pause for a secon then drop to 1200..I get stuck, mash the peddal then it downshift all the way to 1st and 4000 rpm spinning the tires.

So in essence I'm limited to 1st gear..or running it in "drive". If I put it into 2nd it starts trying to upshift under load so often it'll overheat the tranny.

the JK has spent 4 weeks at the dealership...they all see the problem. They recorded it on computer and sent it to Star. Star however won't recognize it. I've been told by the dealer to call Chrysler myself..cause they won't try to fix squat till Star recognizes the problem.

Anyone else have this problem? I've called numerous dealerships...noone recognizes it so it must be unique to my tranny. (by the way...I'm not a whimp with an auto....driven Jeeps since 1975 with manuals but had a problem last year with shoulder..still have my 86 CJ-7 and am driving it now while JK is in shop...but bought an auto..shoulder ok now..regret isn't ok)

Suggestions?

 

I had an 08 silver Auto unlimited and I experianced the exact same thing you described. It was frustrating, especially when heading up to the ski hil. I just wish they could improve the shift points.

Sorry I do not have any advice, I ended up loosing my patience and trading it in during the recession incentives.

I went for the opposite configuration and now I have a 09 Green 6Spd. 2Door and I do not regret at all. I noticed that the revs are a few hundred more at cruise sped but overall driveability is much improved.

Best of luck.

 

It might be the esp kicking in

 

That's wierd. I don't understand why it would want to upshift under load, it shoud try to go down.








BTW, feel your pain on the shoulder thing. After 3 lt shoulder dislocations, finally had rotator cuff repair in Feb. It's coming along very well but I need to change out the cracked bell housing in my 85 CJ but don't think it's quite ready for that yet.

Good luck on both the Jeep and shoulder.

BTW, who is this Star you make reference to in your OP? Keep us posted too.

 

Sounds more like the torque converter is locking up. The JK autos lock up really (too damn) easy. Your RPMs drop like it's in another gear but it's just the TC. Between that and the ESP, it's constantly trying to "help" you.

Look for the ESP disable thread - that will help a lot.

I've burnt up one transmission already. The new one is WAY better than the first ever was.

 

Not sure if it is your budget but you might give the Superchips Flashpaq a shot. It made a big difference in how my auto trans shifts and preforms.

 

Did you go with an aftermarket rebuild or a new stock?

 

Warranty! 4" lift, 35" BFG KM2s, 5:13 Gears, tow a 3500# trailer, + a s-load of other mods - and they replaced the auto transmission under warranty. Not bad!

 

I'll second the superchips impact on the auto tranny.
Mine was determined to get into overdrive as soon as possible.
After running the most basic tuning, the transmission feels like it locks sooner in first gear, and later in second and third.
It lets go of torque converter lock much easier than before.
I attribute most of the difference in my jeeps performance coming from a more lively transmission. And it gets better milage now to boot.

 

mine bangs in to 3rd all the time, anyone having this problem?