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My Transmission Issues

73K views 256 replies 40 participants last post by  5000XD 
#1 ·
Another guy started a thread with what I believe is the same problem. I do not want to Hijack his thread so I will document what's going in my own. To avoid the same usual responses let me again address something. This is a performance transmission. I realize this. The clunks have never bothered nor have the firm shifts. I've owned the Jeep from new and have extensively tested it in all weather. I know how it should behave. What's going on now is completely new to me.

Problem Development:
1. It all started many months ago. I noticed that any time I used Launch Control (LC) or Power Braked (PB) the Jeep started netting slower times versus me just mashing the gas. In the past LC and PB always netted better times than just flooring it in Track. I didn't really think much of it.

2. Now more recently, maybe 2 months ago, I noticed that when I would put the Jeep in gear it would jerk some. This had not happened before.

3. I've also noticed that the shifting in Auto is exceptionally sloppy. Much more so than before. And Sport now shifts like Auto used to. Also, when I let of the gas after flooring it the transmission holds the gear and RPMs very high, a lot longer, before upshifting. A huge lag.

4. As of a few weeks ago I noticed the latest and most undeniable issue. When I floor it in Track Mode, the 1-2 shift is violent yet slow. It feels like something is going to break. In the past the track shifts were hard and crisp, very quick. My 0-60 times are at least a few tenths off from where they should be. Right before I left for vacation I dropped my Jeep off at the dealer to fix the problem as well as another carbon fiber piece. I even took the service adviser with me and he confirmed feeling the problem. Well about 5 days into my vacation I get an email. He said the tech and him were not able to duplicate the problem. They floored it 3 times and everything was normal. I picked up the Jeep yesterday morning, pulled out of the dealership, floored it, and it did the exact same thing.

5. Yesterday I decide to take the Jeep to a secluded location and do some more testing. I confirm it is definitely slow given the weather and humidity. I decide to try LC and see what happens. The transmission doesn't jerk and shifts smooth. The Jeep still nets a slower time but I thought this was strange. My guess is the tech used LC and didn't just floor it.

6. I just got off the phone with the SRT hotline. They have escalated the case and are supposed to get back to me.

Conclusion: I remember the thread from AD Motorsports was testing their turbo kit on the stock transmission. They mentioned the Jeep getting slower and slower. What I am thinking is something is going out in my transmission and the computer system is pulling back to salvage the tranny as long as possible.

My other thoughts are a new transmission update caused this, so I need to disconnect the battery and reset everything to see if it relearns.
 
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#5 ·
No video but I will try later and see if it takes.

SRT rep called me back and said to take it back to the dealer and drive with the tech. He said that SRT is aware of the problem and they are working on a fix. I tried to clarify that if he's discussing the clunk issue then they might not be aware of my problem. He indicated he is aware of both issues. I explain I don't care how much it clunks so long as it shifts correctly and it's fast.
 
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#6 · (Edited)
I got the tranny update from TSB 21-005-15 perfromed on June 5th 2015 to fix the clunk on downshifts.

After the update I started to noticed violent shifts from 1-2 in sports and track mode only. Not quick and crisp but violent is how I would describe it.
Subscibed for updates. Please keep us updated @a-kon
 
#7 ·
Glad to know (in that I know it's not in my head) other people are experiencing the same issues. Have you checked the 0-60 to see if it's slower than usual?
 
#9 ·
SRT told me that because I reported the problem they will extend my warranty on the transmission/etc. in the event anything happens.
 
#10 ·
Adam, do you have any issues with the 1-2 when starting out at a normal pace and not floored? My first 1-2 shift anytime I start driving after start-up always slips badly...the update fixed it, but it resurfaced about 3 weeks later. I have not experienced the violent 1-2 in Sport, but am interested in the outcome.
 
#11 ·
No I haven't, unless I'm manually shifting. Then I feel it under moderate acceleration. Just to clarify, the violent shift is only in Track. The Jeep feels sloppier in auto and sport now. I'm worried we are sacrificing performance to stop the clunk. I'll take a clunk any day if it gives us better performance.
 
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#14 ·
I got the update preformed back in late June, same here... harsh in Sport and Track 1-2 and downshifts are rough too. My GF has a brand new X6 Xdrive 5.0 with the 8 speed and in all modes it shifts PERFECTLY in the BMW.

I hope another update is forthcoming soon. I have stopped using the trans in Sport or Track by leaving it in Sport or Track for suspension, but pulling the shift lever so that it goes back to Auto for shifting.
 
#15 ·
What kills me is this transmission was equal to or better than any German brand when I bought it. And it gets worse and worse with each update. It's all of you damn clunk complainers fault!!! :D
 
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#16 ·
Hmm this is interesting. I have had the complete opposite reaction of the update.


Before the update the shifts were extra clunky (I am used t o clunks with the Nag1 in my old WK1 SRT) and the shifts were not crisp.

After the update I love how the transmission performs.

Then again I only have 7400 miles on my Jeep.
 
#17 ·
I would not be surprised if update 21-018-15 for the 2015's is different than that use on the 14's. Not sure why it would be, but ANYTHING is possible when it comes to the updates that FCA/SRT are throwing around.

Driving the BMW makes me feel like I am driving a very unrefined SUV. I hope they fix this for us soon.
 
#19 ·
No tranny updates for me either. Still running good. Get the odd clunk while slowing down for a say... a yield sign, but not often at all.

Previously, my wife had a X3 with the same 8 speed..worst vehicle ever, especially its tranny. Clunks, bangs, shifting up or down, didn't matter.

Hope they get this figured out!
 
#20 ·
Just to confirm.... Did a pull this morning.

No update for over a year at least. Shifts just as hard as ever :)

For the record. During this run 4 wheel burnouts in 1st and 2nd now that's it's getting cold out. Really need to look into some of these so called Pirelli 305's

 
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#21 ·
For the record. During this run 4 wheel burnouts in 1st and 2nd now that's it's getting cold out. Really need to look into some of these so called Pirelli 305's
Indeed the legendary unicorn 305's from Pirelli are worth it!
 
#22 ·
I heard that Jason F Pirelli III himself uses plasma from his blood to help release the tires from its mould. It's also said that the 305/35 was used by Boeing during the coldwar to help it's super jets land in cold climates because it grips so well. They didn't call it he Cold War because it was warm..
 
#23 · (Edited)
Update: I'm headed to Canada for my annual White Tail Hunt (and Moose this year) so I dropped my Jeep off at the dealer. I finally got their head tech and transmission specialist to ride a long with me.

He agreed it's a transmission issue, not software. What's happening is, as my transmission gets weaker, the PCM starts pulling timing and fuel which leads to my problem. He said no software will fix it. He agreed to recommend a transmission replacement. Fingers crossed I get one. It looks like AD Motorsports and their testing was spot on.

If they will not do a replacement, I will get my attorney involved and push for a replacement Jeep. Maybe I'll get the 2016 Night Edition in Billet Silver, then I'll recreate my current Jeep on that. Swap wheels and exhaust over, Debadge and rebadge. Swap the black Jeep emblem with the chrome. And either get a new Bwoody CAI or maybe just an AFE. Then if I'm starting fresh I may do the RM mids instead of the Eibachs this time.
 
#26 ·
Still on the fence. Definitely not worth changing over now. My issue with the Eibachs is they're not quite low enough in the rear. My issue with the RM is they are too low overall. But I do like the look of the Jeep a little bit lower.

The biggest turn off about the RM is they sag bad in the rear with weight. At least that's what my eyes tell me. The other issue is everyone brags about how smooth they ride, and rough the Eibachs are. Last time I checked, smoother and more plush ride does not translate to better handling. I'm confident an Eibach Jeep will beat a RM Jeep around a road course.

So to answer your question, I really don't know. Probably just talking out of my ass
 
#27 ·
No wonder it stinks in here

I want a drop, but I want to go with whatever setup has the smoothest ride and won't sag with weight. Basically, I want everything.....or rather my wife does.
 
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#31 ·
You nasty bitch
 
#30 ·
I will confirm that the RM mids are much softer, sometimes bouncy, in comparison to the eibachs. I road on the eibachs for over 30k miles so I think I can give a fair assessment.

With that being said I love the drop with the RM mids I have now and believe they handle the same even though they are softer. My opinion is that the lower drop compensates for the lack of stiffness when pushing through corners and such.

I've yet to really notice or test possible sagging issues.
 
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