2002 - Jeep Liberty Sport - Changing Gears makes my car Jolt / Engine Rev's... What do you think the issue is?

[IrishJeepinBC]

Hi All,

First time poster, long time reader. I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty Sport for over a year. I love the car. its a beast! Recently I began to notice that if I drive the car long distances, when I change from Drive to Neutral the car will give a thump, or if I change from Drive to Reverse or any kind of stick change the car will give a jolt for a second or two. The car also then revs itself up as high as 3000 rpm's. This happened over the weekend when I changed it from drive to park. I should mention this doesn't happen all the time. I'd say it happens perhaps every 1 out of 6 times.

I checked the transmission fluid and its at a nice level. I flushed the fluid a little over a year ago, so I imagine the fluid isn't dirty or low. Physically changing between gears on the gear stick is very smooth, I don't have any resistance, when driving, the car has no problem reaching 120km. I changed out the idle air control motor about a year ago too as the pervious one was dust.

I am just wondering do you think this is a warning sign that transmission is on the way out or should I take it as a bit of character from the liberty as it is a 20 year old vehicle?

Bit more information on the car:

Jeep Liberty Sport
2002
3.6L V6
Automatic

Thank you,

M

 

[Jimmyjimmyjimmy]

Could be trans. I have and 05 with 190k and an 06 with 160k. Miles. Neither trans slips

 

[LibertyTC]

On level ground when Jeep has been driven, is hot, is the transmission dipstick at the full line?
It could be a sticky solenoid, and adding a half a can of seafoam trans tune could help.
Any transmission shop can read the stored or pending codes, and can command solenoid operations.

 

[JeepStar]

On level ground when Jeep has been driven, is hot, is the transmission dipstick at the full line?
It could be a sticky solenoid, and adding a half a can of seafoam trans tune could help.
Any transmission shop can read the stored or pending codes, and can command solenoid operations.

Hi LibertyTC, I have the same 2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 3.7L V6 Auto and the exact same transmission symptoms on an intermittent basis. What exactly do you mean by "can command solenoid operations". I was thinking that I would have to have the transmission solenoid replaced during my upcoming fluid and filter change. Thank you!

 

[LibertyTC]

2002 Jeep Liberty probably has the 45RFE transmission. Use the Correct fluid only which is ATF+4.
You can confirm the transmission type by typing in your VIN # here to obtain the build sheet: https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing
The 2002 factory service manual can be viewed here: http://www.colorado4wheel.com/manuals/Jeep/KJ/2002JeepKJServiceManual.pdf
The transmission is computer controlled and can be scanned for trouble codes at any transmission shop, start there.
The solenoids may possibly be commanded to operate by a knowledgeable tech with an older "star scan" , or "SnapOn Ultra modis scanner"

 

[Johnny O]

(deleted) posted wrong place

 

[CheddarGau]

Did you ever get a resolution to your problem?