Transmission Problem

Hello, I'm in need of some information.
We have a 2005 Liberty Limited 4wd automatic, 123k miles, tow package, trans cooler, mechanical fan.
I believe our transmission died suddenly just as we were pulling in for Christmas dinner.
The Jeep had been driving normally. 55mph open road, about a half mile from our family's turn off, we felt a thump, the it reved up a little, I let off the gas, it leveled out back to normal. I gave it some throttle it to see if it'd do it again but it did not. Then making our turn, it wouldn't go up the hill. At first it tried to pull but the would just roll back. There's a slight grinding sound when reved in any gear including reverse. The sound seems to come from the front of the transmission.
The transmission dip stick reads normal, the fluid looked ok, there was a little smoke from the dip stick tube (engine running).
Father-in-law pulled us up the hill (transfer case in N while towed), wife chocked the tires. No mil (except tpms). No code shown when I cycled the key.
Last week we had the rear lower control arms replaced under the recall. Back around Thanksgiving I replaced the heater core. I had the center console out and definitely moved both the shifter and 4wd lever several times. The a/c is empty and the compressor is unplugged. Also recently changed engine oil as well as the engine oil pressure sender. Water pump a few years back.
It had been driving great. This happened very suddenly. Lost all gears. I keep up with my vehicles, I watch the fluids like crazy, I've always been impressed condition of the with the transmission fluid though it has never been serviced.

So my questions are;
Which transmission do I have?
Would my obd Bluetooth torque app code reader pick up any thing useful?
How should I go about my diagnosis?
What could have happened?
How do I fix it?
Any other information would we great. Thanks. And Merry Christmas.

Transmission type might be printed on the bottom of the instrument cluster face. Choices are 45RLE??? or 45RFE???, I think.

Make sure you still have a driveshaft.

Torque converter might have failed.

Internal oil filter loose or pickup seal installed wrong? (45RFE???)

I'm just guessing.

Merry Christmas!!!

There where 2 transmissions in the Libby's, switched it 2003, you would have the later one, can't remember the number for it. Rebuilt mine during the summer. Was actually pretty easy to do. Oem rebuild kit for it was $250

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You have the 42RLE. But it's important to know how many electrical connectors you have on the driver's side - they apparently differ in that regard (either 3 or 4 connectors, iirc).

As far as diagnosis, I only had limp mode 2nd gear for forward gears and absolutely no reverse. So it was obvious that mine was grenaded inside and I swapped it out for a lower-mileage trans with a small warranty in my backyard.

First thing, drop the pan and look at it and the filter. Do you see dust or do you see chunks? If chunks, it's toast.

Actually, if he's got the 2005 automatic, its more likely to be an RFE545.

Lancer said:

Actually, if he's got the 2005 automatic, its more likely to be an RFE545.

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Only if he has a diesel. Gassers have the 42RLE.

I'll try to go back and look at it today. It's not diesel, I do have a TDI though. haha, that's why I need to fix the jeep.

From what I've learned, yes I have the 42RLE.
I'll have to look more closely at the number of electronic connections.
I was able to get these codes for misfire and incorrect gear ratios;
P0304
P0700
P0734
P0732

There is still no check engine light.
Today, it would move in gear but we didn't take it more than a foot back and forth. Still getting weird noises in gear.
The drive shaft is still there.
I'll drop the pan next time I can get over there.
I'm leaning toward swapping a junk yard trans. Are there any upgrades?

Lancer said:

Actually, if he's got the 2005 automatic, its more likely to be an RFE545.

Click to expand...

45RFE was phased out mid 2003 with the exception of the CRD. 545RFE was used in Rams, Dakotas and Grand Cherokees. Liberty version never got the programming required for the extra OD gear.

I got the rebuild kit for my transmission from Morris off road, or Morris 4x4. Can't remember exact name, but it was $250 and an OEM master rebuild kit. Everything except the filters and fluid. Went in good and even came with directions.

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We're thinking of just putting the cash forward and getting a remanufactured transmission with a good warranty. Has anyone gone this route? Any recommendations?

djembeing said:

We're thinking of just putting the cash forward and getting a remanufactured transmission with a good warranty. Has anyone gone this route? Any recommendations?

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Did you end up goin that route with the remanufactured trans in 2018? If so, how did it go? I did. A Jasper. It went out 2 years later but it had a 3 years warranty.

I bought a lower-mileage trans with a small warranty from an auto recycler in MI with an indoor warehouse, installing new Mopar sensors before install. I’ve doubled the miles on my Liberty (from 79k to 150k) since I installed that trans with no trouble whatsoever. I did drop the pan and replace the filter and the trans cooler lines 40k miles after the swap.