2023 Auto Gladiator Mojave Hard Reverse Shift

[ErylFlynn]

So when I start it and go to pull out of the garage when I put it in Reverse there is a small delay then a hard shift to reverse. If I back out, put it in drive and then back it doesn't happen. I was wondering if maybe the fluid was low, no leaks I can see so after a trip to the store I had it running, trans hot and I popped the fill plug, and well a decent amount of fluid came out before I closed it back up.

I am trying to decide if this is something I need to get the dealer to look at, still under warranty until December. I hate to ignore this and have my transmission blow up on me later.

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[Maximus Gladius]

so after a trip to the store I had it running, trans hot and I popped the fill plug, and well a decent amount of fluid came out before I closed it back up.

Needing some info would really help out here.
1. What temp was the transmission when you pulled the plug and oil came out?
2. Did you level frame before pulling plug?
3. Whats your milage and has there been any service work done on it previously?

 

[MeanGreen]

My ‘21 has done that forever. Happens on the first drive of the day in the early morning. Never does again the rest of the day. It seems to be when I start it, the rpm’s are still higher and it shifts hard in reverse. If I start it and the rpm’s go to normal idle right away it doesn’t do it. Maybe your situation is similar.

 

[ErylFlynn]

Needing some info would really help out here.
1. What temp was the transmission when you pulled the plug and oil came out?
2. Did you level frame before pulling plug?
3. Whats your milage and has there been any service work done on it previously?

Not sure exact temp but over 120 and at the end when I checked once more the plug was uncomfortable to touch. At almost 11k miles and no service other than motor oil and tire rotations.

Just seems that rough shifting is odd and the fact with it hot fluid came out and it was not a dribble. When it was hard to touch it was still wanting to flow out of the plug.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

The temp window to check fluid level is 90-122F. If the plug was uncomfortable and hard to touch, it’s completely normal for oil to be flowing out the fill hole while engine is running. That fluid expands and even if fluid was levelled properly anywhere in the temp window, if the transmission is hotter than that, oil will flow out. We still don’t know if the frame was level but it’s never advised to run it hot then pull the plug to see if there’s oil in there. There’s a process.

You have a warranty and I’d just take it in and get the issue documented and checked out. You may want to spray some brake clean around the fill plug and pan to clean up the oil that came out if you haven’t done that already.

 

[ErylFlynn]

The temp window to check fluid level is 90-122F. If the plug was uncomfortable and hard to touch, it’s completely normal for oil to be flowing out the fill hole while engine is running. That fluid expands and even if fluid was levelled properly anywhere in the temp window, if the transmission is hotter than that, oil will flow out. We still don’t know if the frame was level but it’s never advised to run it hot then pull the plug to see if there’s oil in there. There’s a process.

You have a warranty and I’d just take it in and get the issue documented and checked out. You may want to spray some brake clean around the fill plug and pan to clean up the oil that came out if you haven’t done that already.

And you would agree that the hard shift is not expected behavior? I am not over reacting?

 

[MeanGreen]

And you would agree that the hard shift is not expected behavior? I am not over reacting?

What is your tach reading when it shifts hard in reverse?

 

[ErylFlynn]

Good question. I will have to check that when I take the kid to his Jiu-Jutsu

 

[Maximus Gladius]

And you would agree that the hard shift is not expected behavior? I am not over reacting?

You have a delay then hard shift. … Ive not experienced that in all 5 transmissions from the 21 and 23 JTR. I’ve not had delays but if the truck is on some sort of incline/decline and it’s parked with the vehicle weight on the park, engaging out of park would cause noise.

 

[NC_Overland]

Mine has done that since new. A few different dealerships said that “it’s normal”. I finally gave up and put it in drive before reverse every cold start when leaving and it doesn’t do it. It’s annoying, and not normal, but I’m way out of warranty now and had given up years ago.

 

[MeanGreen]

This thread has made me want to try some difference things the past few mornings... When I start it for the first time in the morning my rpm's are usually around 1400. When I shift into reverse during that time it always hard shifts. If I sit there and wait for the rpm's to drop, it seems to go to 1,000 or a little under (at first before settling down to 700ish a little later), it seems louder than normal but doesn't shift hard. If i wait until it drops to normal idle, 700ish, if shifts "normal" into reverse.

For me it can change on mornings depending on if it's cooler or warmer. For example, on warmer mornings when starting it jumps up to 1400 and quickly goes to to 1,000 it won't shift hard at all. Just a little louder.

My transmission has does this for as long as I remember. While I don't think it's normal, it seems normal for mine. I never wait for the rpm's to drop. I start it, plug my phone in , put on my seat belt and back out of the garage.

 

[moparnut72]

The old 727's were notorious for this. They were supposed to be put in neutral when checking fluid levels for this reason. The trick on those was the shift to neutral for a few seconds to let line pressure build up. I don't know if the ZF's are the same or not. I haven't noticed it on mine but I will check next time I drive it. I usually back in to my parking spot to keep the sun from shining in the cab and deteriorating the interior any faster than necessary.
kk

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Like others, mine does this cold, and never again.

Never gave it much thought.

 

[ErylFlynn]

I have to ask the dumb question, that I can't find anywhere. What does "Frame Level" Mean? Is there a place to put a bubble level? Or do I set 4 jack stands on a level surface to the same height and support the jeep on those 4 points? Or is there some other answer.

It seems everyone assumes we know what that means, and I can check level in so many different ways and get different results.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I have to ask the dumb question, that I can't find anywhere. What does "Frame Level" Mean? Is there a place to put a bubble level? Or do I set 4 jack stands on a level surface to the same height and support the jeep on those 4 points? Or is there some other answer.

It seems everyone assumes we know what that means, and I can check level in so many different ways and get different results.

It just means having the truck sitting on a level surface.

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