Wierd hesitation with 06 Commander V6

heep1991 · 01-15-2009, 07:15 PM

Ok when I'm going up a hill in normal weather and i'm in 4th gear and i'm not applying more pressure to gas pedal when I'm going up the hill it starts to want to down shift but doesn't and kinda hesitates till I get pass the hill. Seems like it wants to down shift but its not sure, now that its like 10* outside it does the same thing when there's no hill. I was thinking maybe cause how big it is with a V6 or that I'm just really light on the gas pedal and i'm in a sweet spot where the Jeep doesn't know weather to down shift or stay in same gear. All this happens when I'm running around 1500 RPM or lower.

Jeep is at 50000 miles and I'm new to the cold weather and maybe I'm not doing something I'm supposed to, maybe the water evap in gas tank?

Thanks

RoscoeJ · 01-15-2009, 07:46 PM

do you have auto or stick? Antifreze ok? Try tuneup,including new fuel filter...

jeepgaffer · 01-15-2009, 09:40 PM

It could be a faulty transmission/torque converter. I think right around 1500rpm is where the lockup point is. There have been others with similar issues with this transmission (NAG1 transmission and it's in all V6 and CRD WKs and XKs). Some people have had their TCs replaced, others have had the CPUs reflashed. Personally I think it is a design/programming flaw. It's like the Jeep can't figure out what to do at those rpms, and it only seems noticeable when going up a hill. Do some searches and you may find more info.

heep1991 · 01-16-2009, 06:05 AM

its a auto, and I will check antifreeze and check fuel filter. is the fuel filter easy to get to?

Yea I just hope this design flaw doenst hurt the mechanics. If I find out anything I will post it.

Thank you both

heep1991 · 03-30-2009, 10:11 PM

Bringing thread back.

Still have problem and it seems to be getting worse. It happens all the time now and only in 4th and 5th grear at 1700 rpms or less. About to take to dealership but dont want to pay up thousands.

JKM · 03-31-2009, 08:24 AM

have you checked the fluid level in the tranny? Seem to recall these are very sensitive to fluid level

heep1991 · 04-01-2009, 07:10 PM

no have not checked.. will do a full check this weekend and update all.. thanks

heep1991 · 05-12-2009, 06:57 PM

To all.. took Jeep to dealership and it came back with no codes. Dealership did tranny flush and did nothing but cost me $$.

ROMEO69 · 05-12-2009, 09:27 PM

There are 2 things, first, you have to keep on mind that the V6 is too small for the Commander, also, the automatic trany like to chose a higher gear sometimes, depending on what I'm doing and where I'm driving, I may ether drive with the tow mode, or by using the auto stick (I have the 4.7) Also, is your XK stock? a lift and bigger tires really kill the V6. When was the last time you change the spark plugs? It seems to me that the XK seems to chose different shifting points after you reset the computer (It may be just me )

The XK has 2 gas filters if I remember right, and I don't think they are too easy to get to, I have the steps somewhere, I will try to get you that info later...

heep1991 · 05-14-2009, 04:59 PM

Yea someone else Ive been talking to said the dealership got codes on speed sensor. Dealership reset his computer and so far so good. I'm gonna disconnect battery and hope for the best.

CMD is stock... it started this non sense once it got really cold.

seizedassets · 05-21-2009, 12:16 PM

I have the same problem in my wifes 06 Grand Cherokee v-6 at low speed when taking off , ie either from a start or from a slow start , had it checked and no codes appeared >>

heep1991 · 02-03-2010, 03:15 PM

Well just thought I would let all know, after all the problems with my Commander the problem ended up being the transmission. I paid over $1600 to replace: ABS sensor, reprogram PCM, replace trans cooling hoses, rebuild transmission, and replace syloinod and valves inside tranny. I could send anyone copy of my bill if you would like so you can see part list. The dealership ended up calling Chyrsler and Chrysler ended up picking up the tranny parts.The only codes that came up was for the ABS sensor.

Jeep drives so much better without jerking

robertsm · 02-05-2012, 01:16 PM

I had this same problem in my 06, it turned out to be the PRND switch. I replaced it several times, something keeps making this piece go bad. As soon as I replace it, it stops, but then starts doing it again after 5-10k?

SKIN · 06-29-2012, 03:28 PM

Just wondering if any one else is experiencing this? My wife's commander is doing this same thing. We have had the torque convertor replaced and they said the fluid looked and smelled burnt. They said that the torque convertor was engaging and disengaging at between 1500 and 1600 rpms. And if you stayed in that range it would just continuously do that. While driving you feel a pulsing and the tach bounces back and forth. They hooked up a computer to the Jeep and drove it around and watched the torque convertor do this on the computer screen. I have a feeling I am going to have a hard time trying to get a new transmission out of them. Our Jeep is still under warrantee through Chrysler extended. Its an 06 with 75,000 miles. I will post back because this is the only thread I have found regarding this issue.

SKIN · 09-09-2012, 08:16 PM

After working with the dealership for what seems like a lifetime, they finally replaced the valve body in the transmission. I have driven 300 miles since without that pulsing stutter happening at all. i think it might be fixed!