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42RLE problems... Won't stay in gear..

4K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  ejoel91 
#1 ·
First things first. My Jeep is a 2012 JKU with only 34k miles. 2k miles ago my transmission got stuck in 3rd gear. I dropped it and replaced it with another 42RLE out of a 2013 JK with only 20k miles on it.....

I drove the Jeep to work today(24miles) it seemed fine no noises, no check engine light and no weird shifting. On my way home I was driving on I-75 cruising at 79mph around 2500RPMwhen all of a sudden it my RPM gauge spiked and my tranmission dropped into neutral. I pulled into the emergency lane to try and uncover why. I noticed not transmission fluid or noises. I got back in the Jeep, turned it off and back on, put it in drive and started to drive away when I noticed my tranmission was whining and before I knew it, it slipped back into neutral but did spike my RPM's. My RPM's would only peak at 3000. I turned the jeep off again, then back on and put it in drive. It made the same whining noise and then proceeded to slip back into neutral. About this time a check engine light came on. I couldn't get the Jeep to anywhere with a computer to pull the code but as soon as I do I will make sure to keep you all posted. Until then has anyone had this problem and can anyone help!? I believe it's my torque converter but I could be wrong. It would be something simple.

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
I thought 2012 and up had the WA-580 not the 42 RLE -and you should be happy about that. Sounds to me that you have an electronic issue since it is an electronically controlled transmission--hence why you are experiencing the same issues with the one you replaced. I would say that is more likely then the an internal issue since the transmission is pretty much bullet proof in the JK application--as long as you do not get moisture in the transmission fluid--it has little on no tolerance for water in the fluid.
 
#3 ·
I thought 2012 and up had the WA-580 not the 42 RLE -and you should be happy about that. Sounds to me that you have an electronic issue since it is an electronically controlled transmission--hence why you are experiencing the same issues with the one you replaced. I would say that is more likely then the an internal issue since the transmission is pretty much bullet proof in the JK application--as long as you do not get moisture in the transmission fluid--it has little on no tolerance for water in the fluid.

I tend to agree.
OP, I hope you have the old transmission. I'd do more actual diagnoses, before tearing out a low mileage transmission. I'm not trying to be rude. I read your other posts, and it sounds like you have other issues, maybe with that huge lift. I've read an inproperly centered steering wheel can set off traction control, something to look in to.
 
#4 ·
You're right it is the WA-580, this is my first Jeep so I'm not to educated when it comes to them mechanically. Give me a few more months and I'm sure I'll be a professional ha. First things first I'm going to drop the transmission pan to check for debris if I don't see any carnage then I'm 98% sure it's the torque converter. I'll also take it to my local Jeep specialist and make sure the transmission and every is set property and the job was done correctly. I have a feeling that the mechanic that put in my transmission didn't do a good job. But I'm still open to suggestions. I'll look into what ever you all can come up with that could potentionaly be my problem. Like I said, I'm basically a nube when it comes to Jeeps.
 
#5 ·
So when they swapped the transmission they re-used the same torque converter--my point being whatever is happening sounds like it was also happening in the old transmission--which tells me that it is most likely not an issue with the transmission as much as something that was already going on--torque converter if it was reused could be a possibility if not sounds like an electronic control issue
 
#6 ·
Alright, I pulled the codes for the transmission today and here's what I got...
-P0731- GEAR RATIO ERROR IN 1st
-P0730- INCORRECT GEAR RATIO
-P0732- GEAR RATIO ERROR IN 2nd

I've read and heard of people having a "GEAR RATIO ERROR" but two? Typically those with a "GEAR RATIO ERROR" end up with a failed tranmission.

I have yet to drop my transmission pan yet to see if there's any debris or shrapnel from the tranny, but my real question is. Can a failed torque converter be the cause for these codes??
 
#7 ·
I know this post was a while back. Curious if the problem was solved and what you found out. My Jeep had the same code but the check engine light eventually turned off itself. Yesterday I was stuck in traffic and when it let up my transmission was stuck on one of the lower gears. I pulled over turned everything off turned it back on and drove off. I drove it for over 200 miles yesterday without and repeat issue. Is there something I should check before things get worse? Thanks!
 
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