Bullripper Transmission (shuttering/slipping when shifting into OD)

[MikeE024]

Issue

My 42RLE transmission shutters and slips when shifting into OD. The shutter is violent and the RPMs go up by about 400 RPMs when it happens.

Details

- No engine codes
- My ATF+4 fluid level is good
- Transmission temps were between 180-205* when I did my testing today
- Things seem to shift normal into 2nd and 3rd (didn't notice any issues when driving with OD off)

Previous things I've noticed with this transmission

1. The tranny has always taken longer to go into OD when manually switching "OD on" when entering the highway. Under these conditions, it takes about 5-10 seconds for the transmission to actually shift into OD unless I let off the throttle (seems like an eternity when it happens).

2. I also noticed that the engine hard downshifts when slowing up to a traffic light.

3. There's always been a light shutter when taking off from Drive. It happened with the first torque converter that was bad and continued with the current billet TC installed.

Bullripper build details (off the top of my head)
- Transgo kit
- Reemed valve body
- billet torque converter

I plan to talk to the installer and Bullripper this week.

I don't know if this is an issue with the TC, valve body, shift solenoid, NSS, or something else. Any thoughts on this are greatly appreciated.

 

[Duck Doctor]

Sounds like an issue with the PCM. The 05-06 42rle rigs are known to have PCM issues. I’d disconnect the battery for a bit to reset the PCM and see if the rig shifts any differently.

 

[MikeE024]

Sounds like an issue with the PCM. The 05-06 42rle rigs are known to have PCM issues. I’d disconnect the battery for a bit to reset the PCM and see if the rig shifts any differently.

Thanks! I’ll do a relearn and see if things change.

 

[Duck Doctor]

Also suggest reaching out to Wranglerfix to discuss your symptoms. He programmed a new PCM for my 06 42rle equipped TJ, which remedied the shifting issues in my rig.

 

[MikeE024]

Also suggest reaching out to Wranglerfix to discuss your symptoms. He programmed a new PCM for my 06 42rle equipped TJ, which remedied the shifting issues in my rig.

I’ll talk to Mark soon.

Btw, after resetting the PCM, the other shift points were dragging but it wasn’t draggy going into OD. Then, the same issue happened again in OD (which is pretty violent when it happens).

Did you have codes when your PCM caused your shifting issues? What were your symptoms?

 

[Duck Doctor]

I had hard shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. Then The PCM took a dump and went into limp mode on the trail.

 

[MountaineerTom]

One thing about some of the codes. I had an older Actron code reader that didn't read transmission codes. I bought a newer one that did and got the codes. Talked to Mark at @Wranglerfix and got set up with a new PCM in 2019. I also have one of those WiFi OBD2 code readers that does not pick up transmission codes either. My problem wasn't the same as yours though. I had the hard 1 - 2 shift with my 42RLE.

 

[Wranglerfix]

Good morning gentlemen and thank you for the tags.

@Mikee024 i have had others with that same issue and it was the pcm causing it. Please give me a call when you have some time to discuss in further detail.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[MikeE024]

Good morning gentlemen and thank you for the tags.

@Mikee024 i have had others with that same issue and it was the pcm causing it. Please give me a call when you have some time to discuss in further detail.

Thanks,

Mark

Ordered a @Wranglerfix PCM. Will report back once it’s installed. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[MikeE024]

Talked to Bullripper and they think it might be on their end with a bad solenoid block. He said it could also be a PCM (TCM), so it’s wise for me to see what happens with that.

He doesn’t think it’s a bad torque converter bc the fluid is in perfect condition and the vehicle has no problem going into 3rd (or lockup) with OD off.

I will first try Mark’s PCM and then go from there.

 

[MikeE024]

I was able to reproduce the issue with my local trnamission guy. He confirmed there are no PCM/TCM codes.

He said the issue shifting into OD is called “flaring”.

It looks like I’ll be having the valve body solenoid changed if the PCM doest fix it. However, I’m having trouble locating a Mopar part 4800171AA.