42RLE overdrive question
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rgoinbroke
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Your transmission is a 32RH and its lockup torque converter will unlock by stepping on the gas a little. Stepping on the gas a lot will both unlock the torque converter and cause it to downshift from 3rd to 2nd.
rgoinbroke
New Member
Not_Invented_Here_
TJ Addict
Reviving old thread for question time...I have the same issues with the 42rle transmission that have already been covered on here (kicks in around 45-50 unless I keep it in the Goldilocks zone when depressing the gas pedal)
I finally tried out the O/D off button and yeah I definitely got a little more giddy-up but I still found myself around 45-55 with that low thrumming and the stuck in the mud feeling as I depressed the gas pedal. It did not seem to remain stuck there as long as it normally does without the O/D turned off. Acceleration and idling maybe felt a bit more jittery but that could also be my imagination - I only used it for a short time before turning back on for highway driving.
I have a pretty rudimentary concept of this stuff so far as I've just started reading but my understanding is that it's taxing on the engine when O/D kicks in prematurely, not so on the transmission. Is this correct?
I'm curious what I can do to mitigate this and improve performance. Gas mileage can't get much worse at this point so that's not a concern. I DD though and every day I learn a bit more about the "right" way to drive it. FWIW I'm due to address several other maintenance items ( things like spark plugs, O2 sensors, etc...) and I figure I may see more improvement after those are addressed.
I finally tried out the O/D off button and yeah I definitely got a little more giddy-up but I still found myself around 45-55 with that low thrumming and the stuck in the mud feeling as I depressed the gas pedal. It did not seem to remain stuck there as long as it normally does without the O/D turned off. Acceleration and idling maybe felt a bit more jittery but that could also be my imagination - I only used it for a short time before turning back on for highway driving.
I have a pretty rudimentary concept of this stuff so far as I've just started reading but my understanding is that it's taxing on the engine when O/D kicks in prematurely, not so on the transmission. Is this correct?
I'm curious what I can do to mitigate this and improve performance. Gas mileage can't get much worse at this point so that's not a concern. I DD though and every day I learn a bit more about the "right" way to drive it. FWIW I'm due to address several other maintenance items ( things like spark plugs, O2 sensors, etc...) and I figure I may see more improvement after those are addressed.
It's hard to give any help, we need details about your Jeep to figure out why it needs more "giddy-up". Your Profile is pretty much empty of the basics like what size tire and transmission type (which you did mention above).
Especially your tire size which has a HUGE effect on how much giddy-up your Jeep will have.
Especially your tire size which has a HUGE effect on how much giddy-up your Jeep will have.
Not_Invented_Here_
TJ Addict
AH - I thought I had updated those details, apologies. They're 235/75r15 so ~29"
Didn't mean to write such a meandering post - I guess the main question I have concerns whether I'm driving it "wrong" by leaving it on all the time. I'm not seeking more speed just to go fast, I'm just curious what I'm sacrificing or losing by not turning off the O/D. 80-85% of my DD'ing is on city roads and the rest is short highway trips.
That was helpful, thank you. Yes the Overdrive tends to engage way too soon and too often so it often drops the rpms down below where they should be. It doesn't hurt at all to disengage your Overdrive while driving around on city roads, many get in the habit of shutting it off each time they leave home and only turn it back on when they are going to be on the highway for a while.
There's no easy way to change how the Overdrive automatically engages, like changing the Overdrive so it stays off until you turn it on. That involves a bit of wiring with a relay, a simple switch type change won't do it.
So feel free to get in the habit of shutting the Overdrive off after each time you start the engine... doing so won't hurt anything at all.
There's no easy way to change how the Overdrive automatically engages, like changing the Overdrive so it stays off until you turn it on. That involves a bit of wiring with a relay, a simple switch type change won't do it.
So feel free to get in the habit of shutting the Overdrive off after each time you start the engine... doing so won't hurt anything at all.
Not_Invented_Here_
TJ Addict
Got it, thanks for the quick response - I put a little more stock in the advice coming from you ha. Profile lightly updated
Same issue...I have a 1998 TJ that also engages way too early for Over Drive. Looks like the transmission was replaced at one time. I have only had it for about a year but it is constantly going to Over Drive and almost casuing engine to stall. Is there an aftermarket OD Switch?
4.0 L tires are 33x12.5 R15
4.0 L tires are 33x12.5 R15
What you're mistaking for a 4th gear/Overdrive is just your 3-speed automatic transmission's torque converter locking up which drops the rpms 150 or so. As above, an automatic transmission with an Overdrive didn't come along until 2003. Your rpms are too low because the axles are not geared correctly for 33" tires. 4.10 gears in the axles would be ideal and correct the engine rpms.
My last post didn't have enough info. It is a 2003 Jeep Wrangler Sahara and has a 42RLE 4 speed automatic transmission, 4 litre 6 cylinder engine. Tire size is P235-75-15. It has a command trac part time 4 wheel drive system and has a dana 30 186 mm front axle, and dana m35 194 mm rear axle. There are no modifications, everything original. Still having trouble with the noisy transmission when in overdrive at speeds of 90 km or more. When I turn the overdrive off the woo-woo noise stops. Hope this explains things better.
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