Rakkasan_Jeep

A few months ago I took a trip to Ft. Riley Ks to see some friends after the summer semester of College was done. On the way out, after running about 6 hours, the 5th gear in the transmission would slip out a bit and shift right back to fit. Did this a few times too and leaving Kansas. Thought it maybe time to do a trans flush. So I get home, do a full trans flush, fluid and filters. Used RTV sealant as recommended by Chrysler for the transmission pan.

About 3 weeks later I had to run to Denver for something. Same thing. At cruising speed around 75 MPH, my trans slipped out of 5th gear again. I started paying much closer attention to it, and it only seems to do this every so often. It's not an all the time occurance. As well, first thing in the morning, when it's cold out, my transmission wont shift into 5th untill it's warmed up a bit. I ususually have to stop, put my Jeep in park then drive again and it works fine.

I've checked the fluid levels and I might have added too much fluid because some of the fluid seeped out the pan beyond the gasket. Check Engine light isn't coming on so I'm lost. Is there something that could be causing this issue? Maybe a sensor or maybe a band adjustment that I need to do?

I have an 03 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7 V8 4x4, so I believe it's the 545 RFE trans. I need a little help here, I'm moving from Colorado to Florida in 2 weeks and I want to resolve this issue before I hit the road.

ct67_72

How is reverse? Nothing terribly common comes to mind. The only thing is the accumulator retainer plate on the side of the valve body is known to strip the bolts and come out. Usually it starts at the reverse side though.
If your leaking fluid at the pan you need to reseal it. Nothing to do with too much fluid. While the pan is down again you can check the accumulator plate. I'll try to find a reference pic for you

Rakkasan_Jeep

Reverse works just fine, even when I'm in 4LOW it works fine. I spent a few hours researching this and Jeepforum had a threat about this. Said with the 545RFE trans there are no band adjustments at all. But when I saw this vid on youtube , this guy dumping the trans on an 07 Dodge Ram mentioned an O-ring. Thinking I might have not pulled the old o-ring out, it could be causing my sealing issues from the inside.

ol"blue

Two things:
1. The seal you're talking about on the filter has to be installed by itself before you install the filter. Read this:>http://www.wjjeeps.com/service/transmission.htm#SEAL
2. On our '04 WJ with the 4.7 L V8, which we bought new, we've had to take it back to the dealer several times under warranty for similar issues to have the TCM "reflashed" in their service dept. During the procedure the TCM relearns shift points and other parameter that control it's performance. After getting it back it drives like new again.
We had the fluid and filter changed at the dealer at 60,000 miles. It has the heavy duty tow package and we've used it to tow many times with no ill affects. We never use OD when towing though.

Rakkasan_Jeep

I say OD only because when it shifts into high gear at cruising speed, I've knocked the OD switch off by accident and it send my trans back down to 3rd or 4th gear.

TCM? What is that? Trans Control Module?

ol"blue

That sounds right.
Yep, Trans Control Module.

Rakkasan_Jeep

Ya I searched prolly' a good hour on different sites.. couldn't find a TCM anywhere.

ct67_72

I wonder if its loosing lock up or fifth. When it does it, manually shift it to fourth and see if it downshifts or stays the same

Rakkasan_Jeep

I don't think it can be manually shifted down to 4th. It's a full blown automatic. I can manually shift it down to 2nd and 1st, but it's an automatic 4 High and 4 low all wheel drive.. no rear wheel drive on this bad boy.

ct67_72

Right, but you should be able to down shift it. Is there an O/D button? That would be the same

Rakkasan_Jeep

Oh ya, it does that just fine. I turn the O/D button off and it down shifts automatically and if it turn it back on, then it shifts back up no problem.

ct67_72

Right, but you have to do.this while its doing what you describe. Once it "slips out of fifth" hit the button and see if it downshifts or not

Rakkasan_Jeep

Ok will do. Wont be doing any major driving so I'll have to find a good open stretch to check it. She's been running fine lately so I'm not sure what the deal is.