Possible torque converter problem?

[nlicalsi91]

I picked up my 21 Willys auto with 11 miles on it 2 days before thanksgiving. Since then I have put around 4,000 miles on it. I have noticed a strange characteristic with the shifting of the transmission. After shifting into 3rd gear when lightly accelerating, there is a sudden and abrupt jerking motion. It almost feels like when you let off a clutch pedal too quickly after changing gears (keep in mind my gladiator is the 8 speed automatic) It has been doing this since day 1. I haven't had the time to bring it back to the dealer since it's my only vehicle and I do lots of commuting for my job (med device sales) Does this sound like the torque converter? When accelerating heavily or moderately this does not happen, only while accelerating lightly

I have also noticed the transmission can be a bit clunky at times. If I am coming to a stop and put the transmission in neutral, while braking right before the truck stops there is a loud and heavy clunk you can feel throughout the truck as well (I only put the transmission in neutral to rule out if this was a transmission clunk, since it does this when in neutral I am assuming differential or driveshaft). With the amount of driving I do, it can be frustrating at times. The next time I have time off I will leave it at the dealer. Until then I wanted to know if anyone else has experienced anything like this.

Thanks!!!

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[Renegade]

There have been a few other reports of similar issues that I have read here or on the JL forum over the past several years. The 8-speed auto is an awesome transmission, but every once in a while there may be one with an issue. Good luck.

 

[ATL_Rubi]

I picked up my 21 Willys auto with 11 miles on it 2 days before thanksgiving. Since then I have put around 4,000 miles on it. I have noticed a strange characteristic with the shifting of the transmission. After shifting into 3rd gear when lightly accelerating, there is a sudden and abrupt jerking motion. It almost feels like when you let off a clutch pedal too quickly after changing gears (keep in mind my gladiator is the 8 speed automatic) It has been doing this since day 1. I haven't had the time to bring it back to the dealer since it's my only vehicle and I do lots of commuting for my job (med device sales) Does this sound like the torque converter? When accelerating heavily or moderately this does not happen, only while accelerating lightly

I have also noticed the transmission can be a bit clunky at times. If I am coming to a stop and put the transmission in neutral, while braking right before the truck stops there is a loud and heavy clunk you can feel throughout the truck as well (I only put the transmission in neutral to rule out if this was a transmission clunk, since it does this when in neutral I am assuming differential or driveshaft). With the amount of driving I do, it can be frustrating at times. The next time I have time off I will leave it at the dealer. Until then I wanted to know if anyone else has experienced anything like this.

Thanks!!!

It's been forever since you posted so hopefully you're still here. Is your transmission still doing this? Mine does the exact same thing after shifting into 3rd, right at 2kish RPM.

 

[nlicalsi91]

It's been forever since you posted so hopefully you're still here. Is your transmission still doing this? Mine does the exact same thing after shifting into 3rd, right at 2kish RPM.

wound up selling it a while back. Transfer case would grind when trying to take it out of 4high, intermittent random cylinder misfire and leaking axle. Couldn't take it any more with all the issues. Do you still have yours?

One of the dealers on Long Island (security Jeep) is doing 25% off MSRP on gladiators right now, I'm debating going back into one (Firecracker red Rubicon)

 

[ATL_Rubi]

wound up selling it a while back. Transfer case would grind when trying to take it out of 4high, intermittent random cylinder misfire and leaking axle. Couldn't take it any more with all the issues. Do you still have yours?

One of the dealers on Long Island (security Jeep) is doing 25% off MSRP on gladiators right now, I'm debating going back into one (Firecracker red Rubicon)

Ah that’s a shame.

Still have mine!
So far after having the dealer reset the transmission twice, no real issues. It’ll have the random jolt in 3rd gear but I don’t have any other issues. Coming up on 20,000 miles.

That discount is tempting

 

[nlicalsi91]

Ah that’s a shame.

Still have mine!
So far after having the dealer reset the transmission twice, no real issues. It’ll have the random jolt in 3rd gear but I don’t have any other issues. Coming up on 20,000 miles.

That discount is tempting

glad to hear!

Yeah its between that or a 23 f150 at 2.9%apr. I'm leaning F150 due to my height. But I have til tomorrow before both incentives are gone

 

[MagnusWolf]

I have felt this exact thing in my 2024 mojave when I am in traffic going extremely slow, after it shifts into 3rd you feel a little bump forward as if you let off a clutch in a manual. Torque converters have a lock up feature that allows the engine speed to lock up with the input shaft of a transmission to improve fuel economy, it's basically like another clutch pack inside the torque converter itself. If the vehicle detects little to no load at operating temp it will lock the torque converter. I am pretty sure this is normal as it's intended for heavy off road use and not comfort so they want to make sure it does not slip. I am a technician for toyota so I am aware of how these systems work however I think toyota's torque converter flex lock up is much softer for driver comfort but I have seen toyota torque converters have slipping and shudder. I guess jeep just wants to be a bit more aggressive to make sure it does not slip.

 

[ATL_Rubi]

I have felt this exact thing in my 2024 mojave when I am in traffic going extremely slow, after it shifts into 3rd you feel a little bump forward as if you let off a clutch in a manual. Torque converters have a lock up feature that allows the engine speed to lock up with the input shaft of a transmission to improve fuel economy, it's basically like another clutch pack inside the torque converter itself. If the vehicle detects little to no load at operating temp it will lock the torque converter. I am pretty sure this is normal as it's intended for heavy off road use and not comfort so they want to make sure it does not slip. I am a technician for toyota so I am aware of how these systems work however I think toyota's torque converter flex lock up is much softer for driver comfort but I have seen toyota torque converters have slipping and shudder. I guess jeep just wants to be a bit more aggressive to make sure it does not slip.

Mine comes and goes, and it hasn’t worsened; as you mention, probably standard operating for it. Until it get worse I’m not going to worry

 

[Stan H]

Ah that’s a shame.

Still have mine!
So far after having the dealer reset the transmission twice, no real issues. It’ll have the random jolt in 3rd gear but I don’t have any other issues. Coming up on 20,000 miles.

That discount is tempting

20,000 wow so little .. mine has 5 times that amount it is and has been present on mine . I call it normal.

 

[MagnusWolf]

Another thing that I noticed is that I don't feel the bump when slowly accelerating up hills, in that situation there is a load on the transmission so the torque converter isn't going to lock, it only does it on flat roads with very little load on the drive train, again which leads me to believe it is the torque converter lock up. I think every transmission has a weird quirk, for example Toyota Tacomas like to stay in second gear under gentle acceleration but when you demand more power it downshifts hard into first. I know I am kind of analyzing this a bit but if it helps other people sleep better at night knowing this is a normal characteristic then I think it's worth it.

 

[Stan H]

Another thing that I noticed is that I don't feel the bump when slowly accelerating up hills, in that situation there is a load on the transmission so the torque converter isn't going to lock, it only does it on flat roads with very little load on the drive train, again which leads me to believe it is the torque converter lock up. I think every transmission has a weird quirk, for example Toyota Tacomas like to stay in second gear under gentle acceleration but when you demand more power it downshifts hard into first. I know I am kind of analyzing this a bit but if it helps other people sleep better at night knowing this is a normal characteristic then I think it's worth it.

Mine does that exact stuff. Softer going up hill under load hard on flats always has I'm over 100k and it still acts the same.
Diagnosis=Normal Operation

 

[JT25]

Good read, mine is doing the same thing. I have a 25 Mojave with 8600 miles on it now at times it’s super frustrating. I have noticed mine most 2nd to 3rd but has done it and all the gears. I’m 50 years old never owned a new vehicle sometimes it’s super frustrating though.

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

I know this thread is old and was revived, but some good info for those who have shift "bumps".

Back in school I had an instructor who was a Master Saturn Technician, back around 2000 when GM changed the tranny in the ecotec they made the shifting SUPER smooth, like so smooth you didn't notice the shift unless you needed power or saw the rpm drop. Customers kept coming back saying "there's something wrong with my car! I just traded my older model of this car and this one doesn't feel like it's shifting correctly, all my other cars would have a little pop or something I could feel when shifting!"
- Do you know the solution GM came up with?

THEY PROGRAMMED THE TCM TO INCREASE LINE PRESSURE, ESSENTIALLY CAUSING A MILD "BANG" WHEN SHIFTING. And customers stopped complaining about the new tranny design and kept their cars.


Moral of the story, it's probably normal. And even requested by people who though the early generations were slipping.
- But it's also caused by a heavy foot most times and a soft foot at others.
- The TCM "learns" how you drive, and adapts accordingly, but this takes time to correct, or a reset and all new learning, again. Sometime this takes over 1000miles or more.
- Drive it hard due to fast traffic or going up hills more often than not? Yeah, during slower/easier driving, it's going to drive like other times.

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