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If your 8spd trans is rough, put your hand up

137K views 757 replies 150 participants last post by  BHBHANY 
#1 ·
I keep seeing these rough 8 speed transmission threads, but both at the dealership and when I called Chrysler Corporate they tell me that they have NO idea this is a problem. So I'd like to get a list going and see if it's substantial. If you have a rough or unsmooth 8 speed transmission, reply here-just reply with what model you have.


as for me:
2014 GJC Limited 3.6l
 
#731 ·
My 2014 GC Overland V6 does this "bump" too. Pulling the negative cable fixes it for a few weeks or a month.

I test drove a new 2017 Overland V6 and it did the same thing. The sales rep who was on the ride said I wasn't driving normal, LOL.
 
#733 · (Edited)
My 2014 GC Overland V6 does this "bump" too. Pulling the negative cable fixes it for a few weeks or a month.

I test drove a new 2017 Overland V6 and it did the same thing. The sales rep who was on the ride said I wasn't driving normal, LOL.
Well, I guess that answered a question for me. I still have the harsh 2-3 shift when cold, although not as bad. I was contemplating trading for a 17, and wondered whether they finally fixed the problem. I guess not. Suppose if I want to get rid of mine, I have to go to another manufacturer.

I still can't comprehend why some of us have the problem, and others don't.
 
#736 ·
I pulled the TCM fuse again this weekend and the shifting was a little better. Today, it's back to the hard shifts and hesitation. Backed out of the driveway, stopped and put it in gear and the dash showed the trans was in 2nd gear, not first. Step on the gas and just sat a few second then slammed into gear.

Dealer keeps telling me the same thing, this is normal, and it remembers my driving patterns. a bunch of BS if you ask me. Almost 3 years old with only 23K on it.

I hate to think about going to another manufacturer. I've been a loyal jeep owner, as well as several members of the family, for years. I like everything about this model, with the exception of the trans and the gear shift. I'm all for technology but this is crazy. Go back to cables for the gear shift and built a good trans already. i was considering trading up to the limited or better, just don't know if it's worth it, or make the jump to another manufacturer.
 
#737 ·
I totally agree with you 100%.
 
#739 ·
To everyone with shifting issues still please contact Jeep cares and let them know your issues and what dealer has done or not done to remedy them. Not saying they will fix it but hopefully they can push the dealers to do more than say "that's normal".


Sent from my iPad using JeepGarage
 
#740 ·
The problem is that FCA is telling the dealers that it is normal. HEAR THAT JEEP CARES?
 
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#743 ·
Has anyone experienced the shifting issues is the 2016 or even new 2017 JGC limited? I'm thinking of a trade for my 2014. Will have some equity but not a great deal so not sure of risking, or is it worth it if i'm going to have the same issues. If I do a lease i'll be in line or below what I'm paying now but not sold completely on a lease yet. I could walk away after 3 years and it's their problem, or buy it aft the lease, but again, looking to hear from others if they have issues on the newer models.
 
#744 ·
Someone has reported owning a 17 and still has shifting issues.
 
#745 ·
I test drove a 2017 overland and it still shifted hard on rolling stops and parking lot shifts. It was better than my 2014 overland but it was a short test drive. I did end up ordering a new 2017 overland since a still love the GC.
 
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#747 ·
I was considering a 2017 to replace my 2014 that I got a few months ago but if the 17's shift hard and rough too, then I will look at a different brand.
 
#748 ·
I was a close follower of the Jeep Garage a few years ago when I had my 2015 GC on order, and I'll admit that I had a lot of concern over the shifting issue. Since I've had the car (50,000 miles) I can say that I've had no problems at all. In fact I'd say that it is the smoothest shifting car I've ever had. I feel for those poor souls that have had issues but I suspect it's not that many as a percentage of cars sold.

As an aside, I just had my brakes checked and they have a whole lot of life left!

:)
 
#751 ·
My only nagging issue is the first shift from 1-2 at parking lot speeds. It just kind of hangs and hangs in 1st until it's like it realizes that it hasn't gone into 2nd. Then it kind of chunks in there in some sort of panic reaction to it, as though it doesn't feel it has time to do it smoothly.

I still think it takes too long at times to shift up under mild acceleration and it downshifts too readily on small hills and under light accelerator loads. I've managed to tame it a bit by going to manual mode once I reach my cruising speed, but I really wish it would take a cue from what I'm doing and reproduce that automatically.

As Matthew Broderick said in "War Games":

"Learn, Dammit!"
 
#752 ·
I've had my JGC in 10+ times for service since purchase with the primary concern being shifting issues. They've done numerous firmware updates, re-learns and replaced the transmission control valve. There has been incremental improvements and some setbacks along the way. What started getting worse is harsh shifts during mild acceleration either in the city or highway. The vehicle sporadically would seem to be in the wrong (higher) gear while in mild acceleration up a gradual incline. This would cause a subtle vibration in the vehicle. I took it into the dealership on the harsh shifts a few months ago and the dealer found no problem. I was just about to resign myself to either grin and bearing it or drive it until something better comes along.

I did a hail mary pass in March to bring it back in and with some joking and seriousness told the service writer the vehicle is possessed so hopefully they have a priest on staff. This time they opened a star case with Chrysler and all initial diagnostics turned out clean. The Chrysler tech suggested a re-learn (Boo..Hiss!!) and something that was never performed before; calibrate the electronic throttle control. The service writer said the ETC calibration is rarely done. I was a bit skeptical but three weeks later it is a night and day difference. The same acceleration scenarios and even from dead stop are shifting great in the city and highway. The acceleration is more linear and it seems to know what gear to be in at the right time.

Hopefully I haven't jinxed myself and helps someone find peace in driving their Grand Cherokee.

Steve
 
#753 ·
I have a few issues with our 2015 3.6 transmission.

It won't use 8th gear above 80mph. Really annoying.

Cold 1-2 shift it lurches and almost dumps you.

When cruising down the highway, applying a little pressure to the throttle to accelerate a little, sometimes the 8-7 is rough.

Under heavy acceleration it squeaks loud shifting from 1-2 and 2-3. Very embarrassing.

My 2014 Hemi didn't have any of these issues. Any at all actually.
 
#754 ·
I had the most recent software updates done to my 2014 Hemi last November. Right away, I noticed the shifting was jerky and rough. It held onto gears longer while accelerating and was slower to downshift. The 1-2 and 2-1 hunting was awful at slow speeds.

I searched these forums and found this thread very useful:

Transmission Learning

I followed the directions posted by ExcursionDiesel. Wow. What a difference after only an hour of driving, city and highway. Now it upshifts and downshifts smoothly and intuitively, the way I expect it too :thumbsup:
 
#756 ·
I get the same issue. If I am completely stopped at a light and go from Auto to Snow Mode it shifts to 2nd gear with a jump. Same thing happens if I go from Snow to Auto, its the 1-2 or 2-1 at that point where it is really rough. Wish I could just bypass 1 all together without having to do it manually all the time.
 
#757 ·
I was just reading one of the other posts in the SRT section of the forums and one of the guys had them recalibrate the rear diff for clunking noise. Wonder if this might be what is causing the bad shifting as the flashes doesn't always seem to help..
 
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