[fdegree]

Any idea why this break in process is so important, and sensitive, for the Cherokee? I understand the whole - heat up and cool down of the metal parts, but I've had various new cars in the past, and never experienced anything like what is going on here.

 

[Jeepster1]

Any idea why this break in process is so important, and sensitive, for the Cherokee? I understand the whole - heat up and cool down of the metal parts, but I've had various new cars in the past, and never experienced anything like what is going on here.

The Cherokee has a complex drive train and coupled with this new 9 speed transmission, it is **** bent for problems if not cared for.
Normal vehicles usually are not an issue from my past experience.
Add in a 4x4 system coupled to this complex 9 speed and there are a lot of gears and several dog clutches to be overheated and damaged if not broken in correctly.
My main concern is heat and the fluid in this sealed transmission. A new system will produce more heat breaking in and add higher speed/load to the mix and it will push the system over the limit. Over heated/damaged fluid will become less effective for the long term.
Mostly that involves working in the stress/load gradually. Thus a seperate 500 mile break in for towing!

That said the big problem is, I do not think this transmission,software, and combined with this vehicle was ready for prime time.
1. I think not leaving a dip stick on this 4x4/tow vehicle was a huge mistake.
Fluid needs to watched for level and burning. If not filled correctly at the factory it will cause excessive heat and damage. I do think this is some of the problem we are seeing.
2. Break in for this particular vehicle needs to be made very clear out of the gate for the consumer. This is some of the problem I am sure.
3. Bad software/AL causing rough shifts and clunking is most likely damaging transmissions causing some of the problems also.
4. Forums tend to magnify the problems beyond what they are.
There are many Cherokees out there with no transmission problems.

I did read the break in proceedure before I picked it up. Had I not I may have well driven the 300 miles home at 70 mph non stop.
Instead I kept it to 50-55 with varied speed, and made 4 stops to cool every thing down on the way. I was very careful.
At 1900 miles my Cherokee is running perfect with great MPG.
Am I lucky? I handled my last 3 Jeeps the same way and never had an issue.:smile:

 

[whitebomber]

I did read the break in proceedure before I picked it up. Had I not I may have well driven the 300 miles home at 70 mph non stop.
Instead I kept it to 50-55 with varied speed, and made 4 stops to cool every thing down on the way. I was very careful.
At 1900 miles my Cherokee is running perfect with great MPG.
Am I lucky? I handled my last 3 Jeeps the same way and never had an issue.:smile:

If you did a breakin on your previous 3 jeeps, why would you have driven the Cherokee home at 70 mph non-stop, had it not been for reading the manual?

 

[Jeepster1]

If you did a breakin on your previous 3 jeeps, why would you have driven the Cherokee home at 70 mph non-stop, had it not been for reading the manual?

Good point! But saying that to make a point.
Thanks:surprise:

 

[whitebomber]

Good point! But saying that to make a point.
Thanks:surprise:

Ah makes sense. Thought maybe you had read elsewhere that it wasn't necessary, then read otherwise in the manual.

 

[Jeepster1]

Ah makes sense. Thought maybe you had read elsewhere that it wasn't necessary, then read otherwise in the manual.

Break in periods have gotten much better than years ago. These vehicles are built so well that they will for the most part fly right out of the dealership ready to go. That is with a 300 mile speed/hard driving restriction on this Cherokee.
I still err on the side of caution and usually still don't push it because of the gears and axles.
Give them plenty of time to meld.

The Tow break in restriction is brutal. Maximum 50 mph for 500 miles with no full throttle accelerations! That's tougher than the Cherokee's 300 mile break in! But again I don't want to burn anything up.
By the way I will come clean as I did burn up a rear axle on my prior 2001 Cherokee towing a U-Haul trailer 300 miles. I still think to this day the issue was the dealer used regular axle fluid when synthetic was specified for the tow group and off road package, when I had it serviced 6 months prior.
I made sure that never happened again. The dealer did cover the rebuild on the axle without saying anything.

 

[Alphac3]

TCM problem

So I have been lurking the forums reading up on transmission problems I have a V6 TH and have had it for a little over a month and ran into a similar problem I had about 2300 miles on my TH and one morning went out to leave for work pushed the start button and recieved a service parking break and service transmission message, shifted into drive and vehicle started going backwards and made a loud pop and noticed the gear display was flashing and service engine light on, turned off and restarted same problem. Wound up taking it in to the dealership and after a few days they told me I had a bad TCM they replaced the TCM and it seems to now shift smoother and no issues as of yet but it has only been a few days.

 

[Fumbler]

Mine's in the shop with different symptoms, but the same issue - bad TCM. I'm thinking that the QC on these modules needs to be reviewed, because a number of owners have had similar problems.

 

[Gram & Papa]

Add us to the transmission problem list. We have a Limited with Active Drive II. We bought it specifically to use as a tow vehicle for our motorhome. The towing process has been fine -- just be sure the parking brake is off when you are done prepping it for towing. Sometimes the parking brake is applied automatically.

Back to the tranny. We first noted rough shifts at low speed in Colorado, usually when slowing for a turn-in to a parking lot. (Another Cherokee owner we met had told us about rough shifts and we said "not us." The problem showed up the next day!

In Oregon, we started getting rough shifts on a gravel mountain road and then the Service Transmission notice and the Check Engine light. This was a 20 - 30 MPH road with long grades and frequent shifts. We were going upgrade. The problem and the lights cleared after a couple of sightseeing stops.

Again in Oregon, we were highway driving on undulating terrain, 55 MPH speed limit. Same scenario except the tranny would not shift out of the gear (I think it was 6) it was in. We stopped at a pulloff and were able to get going again after a couple of start/stop cycles. We visited a dealer and they were able to check the Jeep late that afternoon. Not sure what they did but we think it was re-programming with a couple of TSBs. Worked fine until...

In Washington we were descending from Mt. St. Helens and guess what? Same problem. Stuck in gear. We were able to get moving again after stopping and starting the engine and working the shifter a couple of times.

We are now visiting with Jeep on what to do next.

A couple of observations:

The problem seems to show up after a change in driving pattern.... Level to mountain for example, either ascending or descending.

After the problem clears, it's all smooth again.

No banging or mechanical noises for us.

 

[scarpi]

This post by Gram & Papa illustrates why some of us really don't trust the Cherokee on out of town trips. You never know when the transmission might have a problem and leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere. My Cherokee runs great but based on my past warning lights and rough shifting all which has been resolved by my dealer, I would be reluctant to take it on a trip. Some owners have had transmissions replaced at a few hundred miles while others have had replacements at 8000 miles. You'd think at some mileage you would be past the point where the transmission goes out. Apparently that's not the case. I'm glad I have a nice 20 foot class B RV for road trips. It's an 09 on a Ford chassis and runs great.

 

[JeffreySModola]

I just purchased a 2014 Cherokee Trailhawk and have about 1k miles. Has been working fine until this morning. Started it up in the garage, put it in reverse and nothing... The display reads "Service Transmission" The "R" was blinking RED and the emergency break (parking break) indicator was lit with a message that said to service the parking break. Had it towed to the dealer and received a call a few hours later that I need a new transmission. I traded in my Wrangler Rubicon :-( for this and am not happy.

What is the required "break-in time" and what does it entail? I haven't driven more than 30 miles a day; to and from work and probably haven't had it over 60 mph ever.

 

[scarpi]

This is another example of continuing transmission issues. It doesn't matter what your build date is. The transmission was not and still is not really ready for prime time. I think the real question is not if your transmission will have a problem, but when will it have a problem. Really a sad scenario for such an otherwise great vehicle.

 

[Gram & Papa]

scarpi,

That's right, don't trust it. Two of the three problems we've had so far were out of cell phone territory.

Our Limited has 4700 miles and about 2000 behind our motorhome. The motorhome is our home.

We are not agressive drivers but we do like to travel the back roads - another reason for getting the Cherokee.

 

[Gram & Papa]

Add us to the transmission problem list. We have a Limited with Active Drive II. We bought it specifically to use as a tow vehicle for our motorhome. The towing process has been fine -- just be sure the parking brake is off when you are done prepping it for towing. Sometimes the parking brake is applied automatically.

Back to the tranny. We first noted rough shifts at low speed in Colorado, usually when slowing for a turn-in to a parking lot. (Another Cherokee owner we met had told us about rough shifts and we said "not us." The problem showed up the next day!

In Oregon, we started getting rough shifts on a gravel mountain road and then the Service Transmission notice and the Check Engine light. This was a 20 - 30 MPH road with long grades and frequent shifts. We were going upgrade. The problem and the lights cleared after a couple of sightseeing stops.

Again in Oregon, we were highway driving on undulating terrain, 55 MPH speed limit. Same scenario except the tranny would not shift out of the gear (I think it was 6) it was in. We stopped at a pulloff and were able to get going again after a couple of start/stop cycles. We visited a dealer and they were able to check the Jeep late that afternoon. Not sure what they did but we think it was re-programming with a couple of TSBs. Worked fine until...

In Washington we were descending from Mt. St. Helens and guess what? Same problem. Stuck in gear. We were able to get moving again after stopping and starting the engine and working the shifter a couple of times.

We are now visiting with Jeep on what to do next.

A couple of observations:

The problem seems to show up after a change in driving pattern.... Level to mountain for example, either ascending or descending.

After the problem clears, it's all smooth again.

No banging or mechanical noises for us.

Here's an update. Our Cherokee is now sitting forlornly in a small dealer shop in Washington. They worked on it off and on all day Friday while we waited. I know the work included checking the electrical connectors. Not sure what if anything else they did.

They communicated with STARS? (the transmission maker?) Anyone know who that is?

They told us they couldn't open the transmission because STARS won't let them.

I was also told that checking the oil level involves filling to a plug on the side, similar to what you do on an axle or gearbox. Is this correct? This brings to mind all sorts of hot/cold issues, etc.

Back to the sitting and waiting. They have ordered a replacement transmission that should be here later this week. Meanwhile, we are driving a rental.

The irony of this whole situation is that we traded our old '06 Liberty CRD with 130k miles because we wanted something more reliable. We had very little trouble with the Liberty by the way. So much for reliability.

Hopefully the new transmission will do the trick.

 

[SkipW]

Here's an update. Our Cherokee is now sitting forlornly in a small dealer shop in Washington. They worked on it off and on all day Friday while we waited. I know the work included checking the electrical connectors. Not sure what if anything else they did.

They communicated with STARS? (the transmission maker?) Anyone know who that is?

They told us they couldn't open the transmission because STARS won't let them.

I was also told that checking the oil level involves filling to a plug on the side, similar to what you do on an axle or gearbox. Is this correct? This brings to mind all sorts of hot/cold issues, etc.

Back to the sitting and waiting. They have ordered a replacement transmission that should be here later this week. Meanwhile, we are driving a rental.

The irony of this whole situation is that we traded our old '06 Liberty CRD with 130k miles because we wanted something more reliable. We had very little trouble with the Liberty by the way. So much for reliability.

Hopefully the new transmission will do the trick.

You are probably a "Star" case with Chrysler through the dealer. It has been mentioned before that Chrysler (along with ZF, the trans maker) will not allow techs to open the transmission. They replace only.

The upside of your miserable adventure is that anyone who has had a trans replacement has been a happy camper (pun intended!) since the replacement.

Hope all goes well for you and please keep us updated.

Edit to add: you are correct re: trans fluid checking. There is an inspection hole that needs a dealer tool to open in place of a dipstick for us to use...they sure could not trust us to do it...only they can be trusted..../sarcasm.

 

[JeepGirl0519]

1 Week Old!

I just leased my 2014 Jeep Cherokee Sport 7 days ago. It has 175 miles on it. Today, I go to start it up and it dies. Thinking it was just me and the way I turned the key, I gave it a second and went to start it again. This time, it kept turning over for a long time and finally started. I questioned it for a second, then put it in drive and headed home. Halfway to my house, things started lighting up like a Christmas tree! Shifter lights flashing, screens telling me to service parking break, service transmission, check engine, lights of all kinds on the dash - everything from oil to fluids to tires you name it! The car was still running and as this was happening, I pulled into a gas station (thank goodness it was close!) and I parked the car and turned it off. After 2 minutes of wondering what the heck just happened, I fired it back up with no apparent problems. The only light on the dash was the check engine light. I drove it the rest of the way home and will be on my way to the dealership first thing in the morning. Man, I am hoping this isn't the first of a million problems to come. At only 175 miles and brand spanking new, I'm super nervous!

 

[Gram & Papa]

"Here's an update. Our Cherokee is now sitting forlornly in a small dealer shop in Washington. They worked on it off and on all day Friday while we waited. I know the work included checking the electrical connectors. Not sure what if anything else they did."

"Back to the sitting and waiting. They have ordered a replacement transmission that should be here later this week. Meanwhile, we are driving a rental."

(Posted July 28)

We got a new transmission and we're happy campers again. It did require a lengthy stay in the shop. The dealer first received the wrong transmission and had to return that one. Not sure who goofed but that's okay. Luckily, we were not in a hurry to move on.

So far with 500 miles on the new one everything is good. This transmission shifts better than the other one. It is more responsive to changes in throttle as when climbing a hill. With nine speeds, using the best gear for climbing seems like a no-brainer. The old one was reluctant to shift. Part of that may be due to my driving habits. I drive for fuel economy mostly and have a light foot. I'm the guy that takes off slowly from stops, slows down way before red lights and does other things that tend to irritate other drivers hellbent on just getting there as fast a possible.

The invoice stated that the fluid level was checked after a driving warmup. That answered one of my questions - when to check the fluid level.

Papa

 

[Gram & Papa]

RE: electrical connectors. A related story on another vehicle. Our previous motor home had transmission problems that were not the transmission at all. We would get a "transmission inhibit" light and the transmission would not shift into gear. After a cool down, it would work fine. Once we pulled into a campground driveway and registered. When I started the engine, transmission inhibit would not permit a shift into drive. I had Gram crank up our '06 Liberty which was on the towbar. She put it in 4-low and pushed me to the campsite with the motor home idling in neutral so the brakes and steering would work.

Stewart and Stevenson's best transmission tech at our local shop found the problem. A single pin on the transmission Cannon Plug had been pushed back and caused all the problems.

 

[a320ca]

I just have to wonder...how many of these rough shifting transmission issues are caused by the factory putting in either the wrong transmission fluid, or an insufficient quantity (in light of a member here on the forum posting that his was 4 qts low without any leaks). Everyone knows that the wrong fluid or not enough fluid will cause transmission issues. It makes me wonder, especially when Chrysler orders the faulty transmission replaced and NOT opened up (like they are trying to hide fault).

<just thinking aloud>

 

[HHTXJEEP]

New Jeep and Transmission Problems

Purchased 2014 Jeep Cherokee in March 2014. After 9,000 miles, the Service Transmission light came on, other than jumpy shifting, had not noticed any problems. The Jeep would not go into gear. Parked it, re-started and only had Check Engine light on. Spent a day at the dealership where I was told there was a software update for the transmission. Jeep appeared to run well. Four days later, same problem, Service Transmission light and would not go into gear. This time Jeep took a tow truck to the dealership and spent a full week in the shop. I'm told the Transmission Shift Control Module was replaced. Will this take care of my problems or should I expect more issues and a replacement transmission in the future?