Be sure to check it running in neutral.
WJ automatic not in gear
352
17
When I put it in drive it was not in gear - just rolled - played around with shifter - then all was fine. No other issues - shifts all gears perfectly. 130,000 miles 4.0L 2003 Grand Cherokee. I checked a transmission fluid when hot - and it was reading at first hole by "cold" marking - I will add more fluid to bring it up to the hot marking.
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It is commonly stated that trans fluid needs to be checked in N, rather than P. However I can confirm that in at least the 2004 owner's manual, it states to check both the 42RE and 545RFE in P.
As a veteran transmission rebuilder…that is a misprint.
The 42RE MUST be checked in neutral. It will be 1.5qts low if checked in Park.
I by no means are saying you are wrong, but I find that very hard to believe. That would mean literally 100's of thousands of 4.0 Jeeps are running 1.5qts low. Seems to me, at very least, there would be a TSB stating such a damaging misprint. And how is park any different from just neutral with the parking pawl engaged?
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406 Posts
Well for one, there is more of a difference than just the park pawl being engaged.
The VB is in a different state and P is not a gear that circulates the fluid the same as N.
And also the basic transmission is the same as it has been for decades. The only thing that changed was that 04 FSM To my knowledge. Look it up for ANY earlier year…
If you don’t believe me, you will be running your trans low and eventually can cause damage.
Not recommended.
A little bit won’t hurt anything but over a quart should probably be drained out.
Overfilling can cause air bubbles and starve the pump.
And BTW, it should state “check in neutral” on the dipstick.
👍🏼
If cold that’s good, drive it and get it hot, 15-20 miles, and recheck. It should read “full hot” then
If cold that’s good, drive it and get it hot, 15-20 miles, and recheck. It should read “full hot” then
6 inch clayton, tires, wheels, bumpers, winch, sliders etc etc etc.
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88 Posts
An over filled tranny can force tranny fluid back out of the dip tube, tranny fluid is highly flammable, it can cause a major fire, I have the photos to prove it, I had a transmission shop in Denver screw-up the install on a new tranny in a chevy avalanche several years ago, the fire was spectacular, the dip tube was actually blow torching, the fire started on the way back home from the shop, less than thirty miles, the insurance company had a forensic inspection done, overfilling was one reason for the fire, tranny fluid spilled out onto the catalytic converter
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277 Posts
Re:
"STANDARD PROCEDURE - FLUID LEVEL CHECK
Low fluid level can cause a variety of conditions
because it allows the pump to take in air along with
the fluid. As in any hydraulic system, air bubbles
make the fluid spongy, therefore, pressures will be
low and build up slowly.
Improper filling can also raise the fluid level too
high. When the transmission has too much fluid, the
geartrain churns up foam and cause the same conditions
which occur with a low fluid level.
In either case, air bubbles can cause overheating
and/or fluid oxidation, and varnishing. This can
interfere with normal valve, clutch, and accumulator
operation. Foaming can also result in fluid escaping
from the transmission vent where it may be mistaken
for a leak.
Along with fluid level, it is important to check the
condition of the fluid. When the fluid smells burned,
and is contaminated with metal or friction material
particles, a complete transmission recondition is
needed. Be sure to examine the fluid on the dipstick
closely. If there is any doubt about its condition,
drain out a sample for a double check.
After the fluid has been checked, seat the dipstick
fully to seal out water and dirt.
The transmission has a dipstick to check oil level.
It is located on the right side of the engine. Be sure
to wipe all dirt from dipstick handle before removing.
Fluid level is checked with the engine running at
curb idle speed, the transmission in NEUTRAL and
the transmission fluid at normal operating temperature.
The engine should be running at idle
speed for at least one minute, with the vehicle
on level ground.
The transmission fluid level can be checked two
ways."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will only post "Procedure One" on how to correctly check the 42RE transmission Fluid Level because, actually do not have to have either of those tools to check your transmission fluid level.
"Procedure One
(1) Transmission fluid must be at normal operating
temperature for accurate fluid level check. Drive
vehicle if necessary to bring fluid temperature up to
normal hot operating temperature of 82°C (180°F).
(2) Position vehicle on level surface.
(3) Start and run engine at curb idle speed.
(4) Apply parking brakes.
(5) Shift transmission momentarily into all gear
ranges...
...Then shift transmission back to NEUTRAL.
(6) Clean top of filler tube and dipstick to keep
dirt from entering tube.
(7) Remove dipstick (Fig. 90) and check fluid level
as follows:
(a) Correct acceptable level is in crosshatch area.
(b) Correct maximum level is to MAX arrow
mark.
(c) Incorrect level is at or below MIN line.
(d) If fluid is low, add only enough Mopart ATF
+4, type 9602, to restore correct level. Do not overfill."
04 Jeep Grand Cherokee SM for 42RE Transmission (4.0L engine) says:
"STANDARD PROCEDURE - FLUID LEVEL CHECK
Low fluid level can cause a variety of conditions
because it allows the pump to take in air along with
the fluid. As in any hydraulic system, air bubbles
make the fluid spongy, therefore, pressures will be
low and build up slowly.
Improper filling can also raise the fluid level too
high. When the transmission has too much fluid, the
geartrain churns up foam and cause the same conditions
which occur with a low fluid level.
In either case, air bubbles can cause overheating
and/or fluid oxidation, and varnishing. This can
interfere with normal valve, clutch, and accumulator
operation. Foaming can also result in fluid escaping
from the transmission vent where it may be mistaken
for a leak.
Along with fluid level, it is important to check the
condition of the fluid. When the fluid smells burned,
and is contaminated with metal or friction material
particles, a complete transmission recondition is
needed. Be sure to examine the fluid on the dipstick
closely. If there is any doubt about its condition,
drain out a sample for a double check.
After the fluid has been checked, seat the dipstick
fully to seal out water and dirt.
The transmission has a dipstick to check oil level.
It is located on the right side of the engine. Be sure
to wipe all dirt from dipstick handle before removing.
Fluid level is checked with the engine running at
curb idle speed, the transmission in NEUTRAL and
the transmission fluid at normal operating temperature.
The engine should be running at idle
speed for at least one minute, with the vehicle
on level ground.
The transmission fluid level can be checked two
ways."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will only post "Procedure One" on how to correctly check the 42RE transmission Fluid Level because, actually do not have to have either of those tools to check your transmission fluid level.
"Procedure One
(1) Transmission fluid must be at normal operating
temperature for accurate fluid level check. Drive
vehicle if necessary to bring fluid temperature up to
normal hot operating temperature of 82°C (180°F).
(2) Position vehicle on level surface.
(3) Start and run engine at curb idle speed.
(4) Apply parking brakes.
(5) Shift transmission momentarily into all gear
ranges...
...Then shift transmission back to NEUTRAL.
(6) Clean top of filler tube and dipstick to keep
dirt from entering tube.
(7) Remove dipstick (Fig. 90) and check fluid level
as follows:
(a) Correct acceptable level is in crosshatch area.
(b) Correct maximum level is to MAX arrow
mark.
(c) Incorrect level is at or below MIN line.
(d) If fluid is low, add only enough Mopart ATF
+4, type 9602, to restore correct level. Do not overfill."
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
