45RFE slamming characteristic help..

[Casey.N]

hello guys, so im getting real sick of this, but heres a senario for you. im trying to haul ass, in 2nd gear(auto trans) at 3-4k rpm, now i need to slow down, the auto trans shift into 3rd as i let off the gas trying to rev match with the engine rpm's dropping while maintaining consistent wheel speed, BUT when this happens the trans SLAMS into 3rd making a loud pop noise and making the jeep jerk a little. now this will also happen at lower rpms 2-3k rpm in 1st gear going into 2nd rev mathcing, and even 3rd into 4th rev matching... never in o/d(but thats not the issue) im curious if this is just how the 45rfe in my 02 3.7 shifts or my trans is F*****, I read all this talk about how the 45 is far better than the 42, but my 45 slams trying to rev match all to frequently when im trying to haul ass and suddenly need to slow down a bit.

is my trans going bad or is my driving causing this, or is this just something the 45 does and i need to get used to. its just wierd because every other auto trans ive driven in the same senarios dont do this what so ever. its almost like the trans isnt disengaging when trying to rev match going to from high rpm in low gear to low rpms in high gear, id really appreciate some input here as im not to familiar with the 45 or auto trans whats so ever.
is this just how the 45 acts?
am I a bad driver?
is my trans going south?

 

[turblediesel]

Not normal.

All my auto transmission experience is pre-historic. People talk of solenoid packs going bad and transmissions "re-learning" which makes little sense to me. In the olden times I'd say your fluid is low or your bands need adjustment but that was before transmissions had brains and feelings.

Someone younger and smarter will be along soon. You're not the first with this problem.

 

[tjkj2002]

or is my driving causing this,

DING DING DING we have a winner.

The TCM is a "learning" computer so your driving habits are to blame.


If your "on it" then need to brake suddenly you should really learn to drive.

 

[Casey.N]

If your "on it" then need to brake suddenly you should really learn to drive.

well by brake I don't mean go from 60 to 20, I mean going from 60 to 50 by just letting off the gas pedal

 

[ltd02]

My 02 never did that but did plenty of other weird things. Don't really notice much difference between the 42RLE in my 05 and the 45RFE in my departed 02. I put it in gear and it moves. Don't think Chrysler was ever credited with building a great transmission.

 

[tommudd]

Never heard of that and none of the 02s ever did it that I've driven

 

[Aceofspades]

I have an 02. Only time it shifts hard is the shift you get when you floor it already doing 55+

 

[LibertyTC]

Somethin don't sound right. ATF+4 does breakdown over time/friction modifiers weaken.
Have you tried servicing the trans with pan drop/new fluid/filters?
Then do re-learn- Remove both batt terminals and tape em together for 10 minutes.
With Pop & jerk makes we want to scan it for trans codes & inspect the trans mounts too.

 

[04Liberty]

My truck has that trans and other than blowing OD clutches (too much power) that's never happened.

 

[Casey.N]

Somethin don't sound right. ATF+4 does breakdown over time/friction modifiers weaken.
Have you tried servicing the trans with pan drop/new fluid/filters?
Then do re-learn- Remove both batt terminals and tape em together for 10 minutes.
With Pop & jerk makes we want to scan it for trans codes & inspect the trans mounts too.

NO, i haven't personally dropped the pan and changed the filters but im going to order the filters asap, sadly i need to drive to Arkansas from Austin TX on Saturday so ive got no time for those parts to come in before the trip so wish me luck guys, the ****** has been doing this for a month or two. But ive recently done a re learn about 2 weeks ago when i was resetting engine codes.. but after new fluid and filters a relearn would be best, could i get part numbers for the filters? I can look through the forum but itd be more time saving if i could get it from yall. But checking the trans mounts are on my today list. I dont have an OBD2 Scanner but im sure advanced auto would be happy to hook up their OBD to check the vehicle, or is there another way to check trans codes specifically?

 

[Casey.N]

My truck has that trans and other than blowing OD clutches (too much power) that's never happened.

Very interesting, i wish knew why the trans was doing this other than what TJKJ said of me being a shit driver, but at the same time im having these issues just driving quickly through 4 way intersections (stop signs) so its a lot of quick revs and quick stops, so would driving like this cause the trans to shift super hard when trying to rev match when i let off the gas? (When i say let off the gas i dont mean im flooring it and then taking my foot completely off, id never to that unless an emergency.. i mean im at 1/4 to 1/2 throttle at like 3-4krpm and then im on the brakes after letting off the gas a decent consistent speed, like im not letting the gas off all at once.. should I be letting off all at once?)

 

[tjkj2002]

Very interesting, i wish knew why the trans was doing this other than what TJKJ said of me being a shit driver, but at the same time im having these issues just driving quickly through 4 way intersections (stop signs) so its a lot of quick revs and quick stops, so would driving like this cause the trans to shift super hard when trying to rev match when i let off the gas? (When i say let off the gas i dont mean im flooring it and then taking my foot completely off, id never to that unless an emergency.. i mean im at 1/4 to 1/2 throttle at like 3-4krpm and then im on the brakes after letting off the gas a decent consistent speed, like im not letting the gas off all at once.. should I be letting off all at once?)

Try stopping fully.

Constant driving like you are doing will lead to massive clutch wear.

 

[LibertyTC]

NO, i haven't personally dropped the pan and changed the filters but im going to order the filters asap, sadly i need to drive to Arkansas from Austin TX on Saturday so ive got no time for those parts to come in before the trip so wish me luck guys, the ****** has been doing this for a month or two. But ive recently done a re learn about 2 weeks ago when i was resetting engine codes.. but after new fluid and filters a relearn would be best, could i get part numbers for the filters? I can look through the forum but itd be more time saving if i could get it from yall. But checking the trans mounts are on my today list. I dont have an OBD2 Scanner but im sure advanced auto would be happy to hook up their OBD to check the vehicle, or is there another way to check trans codes specifically?

I would want to call local dealer to get the most accurate up to date filter part #s.
Scan is by star scan (dealer) or is known as DRBIII. A good "snap on" ultra will read them or any trans shop should be able to read the current stored codes.
I dont know anything about Advanced auto model/type of avail equipment.
It would be worth your while when you have time to review the forums post about the 45RFE Link: https://www.google.ca/search?q=45RFE+jeep+kj+country+site:www.jeepkj.com&dcr=0&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj99oPTrfbXAhVD42MKHTTpANYQrQIIMygEMAA&biw=1920&bih=938
Good luck on the trip, check your fluid level & make sure ATF+4 only getting used!

 

[JasonJ]

It sound like you drive erratically. Any time I've ever driven an auto and accelerated like that, then quickly backed off- even if just to drop 10mph - the trans can't adjust that quick... it's expecting you're going to maintain the speed achieved when you ease off the throttle. But you don't .. so then it's like "Go up to 3rd gear.. no wait! Oh $hit! OK back down back down!" all the while the engine rpm is dropping and all sorts of hell happens.

Instead of racing to 60mph to back down to 50mph, why don't you just race to 50mph and hold that speed? Or... if you're rushing to get in and out of traffic, think and look ahead... plan your maneuvers so that you don't have to race it. Kinda like how people come up on a yellow or red light and are still on the gas and then only stop in the last 80ft.. no freaking wonder your brakes are toast. You see a yellow a block ahead, just freaking coast to the red that you know is coming... likewise with highway traffic.. look for your openings and plan it so you don't have to slam the gas to get out in front of someone all the time.

It sounds like you drive like this daily... not good bud.. not good. I haven't read any updates yet to your oil consumption thread, so if that's still a mystery, then perhaps this is also why your engine is losing oil like it burns gas.

 

[WINGDOG]

My 02 would slam back into third if I punched it to pass and the let off suddenly. Didn't do it if I kept my foot in it or let off just a little. It felt like it would knock your fillings out but I had it for 10 years without trouble.

 

[Casey.N]

It sound like you drive erratically. Any time I've ever driven an auto and accelerated like that, then quickly backed off- even if just to drop 10mph - the trans can't adjust that quick... it's expecting you're going to maintain the speed achieved when you ease off the throttle. But you don't .. so then it's like "Go up to 3rd gear.. no wait! Oh $hit! OK back down back down!" all the while the engine rpm is dropping and all sorts of hell happens.

Instead of racing to 60mph to back down to 50mph, why don't you just race to 50mph and hold that speed? Or... if you're rushing to get in and out of traffic, think and look ahead... plan your maneuvers so that you don't have to race it. Kinda like how people come up on a yellow or red light and are still on the gas and then only stop in the last 80ft.. no freaking wonder your brakes are toast. You see a yellow a block ahead, just freaking coast to the red that you know is coming... likewise with highway traffic.. look for your openings and plan it so you don't have to slam the gas to get out in front of someone all the time.

It sounds like you drive like this daily... not good bud.. not good. I haven't read any updates yet to your oil consumption thread, so if that's still a mystery, then perhaps this is also why your engine is losing oil like it burns gas.

i think your dead on with the trans not being able to adjust quickly enough, and your right i do drive like that daily, and i think my problem is im giving it lots of throttle until i hit the "50mph" then back off right when i hit the speed i want, when i could make it more gradual, just i feel like a grandma driving without doing that, but it is a jeep, and im trying to make it drive like a porche, ive gatta learn to embrace the jeep lifestyle and driving habbits as well.. you may be onto something with my oil consumption, ive been driving less erraticaly latley due to rain and my trans hasnt shifted hard nor has my oil dropped significantly, so you may be right, my driving habbits could be the cause to all my problems im having with my jeep. bummer.. but something i did notice today, it was snowing today, so i had my transfer case in fulltime, and when doing some fast pulls my trans seemed to shift smoother in the 4 wheel drive, just thouhgt that was kinda cool.

 

[Casey.N]

I would want to call local dealer to get the most accurate up to date filter part #s.
Scan is by star scan (dealer) or is known as DRBIII. A good "snap on" ultra will read them or any trans shop should be able to read the current stored codes.
I dont know anything about Advanced auto model/type of avail equipment.
It would be worth your while when you have time to review the forums post about the 45RFE Link: https://www.google.ca/search?q=45RFE+jeep+kj+country+site:www.jeepkj.com&dcr=0&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj99oPTrfbXAhVD42MKHTTpANYQrQIIMygEMAA&biw=1920&bih=938
Good luck on the trip, check your fluid level & make sure ATF+4 only getting used!

good to know, ill probaly go to a trans shop to get the codes read, and a dealers call will be shortly after i return from my trip, thank you for the good wishes, im hoping the ol girl does me good, as i treat her like shit, but not anymore, ive gatta change the way i drive to make my liberty get to 1 million miles! atf+4 is the only trans fluid my jeep will ever see! i wonder if amsoil makes a atf+4 blend?

 

[uss2defiant]

walmart supertech has atf+4.

All atf+4 are the same since they're licensed out.

 

[JasonJ]

i think your dead on with the trans not being able to adjust quickly enough, and your right i do drive like that daily, and i think my problem is im giving it lots of throttle until i hit the "50mph" then back off right when i hit the speed i want, when i could make it more gradual, just i feel like a grandma driving without doing that, but it is a jeep, and im trying to make it drive like a porche, ive gatta learn to embrace the jeep lifestyle and driving habbits as well.. you may be onto something with my oil consumption, ive been driving less erraticaly latley due to rain and my trans hasnt shifted hard nor has my oil dropped significantly, so you may be right, my driving habbits could be the cause to all my problems im having with my jeep. bummer.. but something i did notice today, it was snowing today, so i had my transfer case in fulltime, and when doing some fast pulls my trans seemed to shift smoother in the 4 wheel drive, just thouhgt that was kinda cool.

:happy160: If you've correlated a reduction in oil loss and better transmission performance with the less crazy driving style... then you are likely onto your answer.

Sounds like you need a turbo 370Z or something as well as the Jeep. But you have to remember, it's a 4000lb Jeep. You don't see semi truck drivers hot-rodding their trucks either. It was designed to operate with certain conditions and driving styles in mind, unless it came from the factory with a badge containing the letters "S R and T", quick acceleration and overall high performance were not intended.

 

[Casey.N]

well both filter changed as well as the fluid and my trans is stilllll shifting stupid the dealership said nothing wrong so its just me sadly... and youre right JasonJ i need a turbo something. if i blow the Liberty's engine then im doing a 4.7 HO swap and then turbo charging it. shit im ganna make this jeep fast if it decides to blow up, but im thinking the trans isnt ganna last as long as the engine but we will see