2007 jeep wrangler transmission range sensor replacement

This is my 7th Jeep - purchased as used with 65279 miles on it. Within a week from purchase the transmission popped out of 1st gear while starting from a dead stop. Very loud and startling and I thought it was me being not used to this vehicle. No further incidents for about a month and it happened again causing me suddenly stop when pulling into traffic and nearly getting t-boned. A few weeks later it happened again and I began to talk with other Jeep owners and found this was, and still is, an ongoing problem with Jeep Wranglers from 2007-current. Further research on my part led to finding a TSB #21-001-10 rev a dated 4-20-2010. This popping out of gear happens very sporadically and without any warning, has caused me to nearly become in an accident (t-bone or rear ended) by the sudden, almost explosive stop one makes when it happens. About a month ago this began to slowly happen more often - to the point that I got in the habit of holding the transmission in 1st gear so it would not pop out. When I had this vehicle to the dealer I bought it from for routine service, I asked the service tech. About the transmission issue and was advised that it was a known problem and should be covered under the power train warranty. This popping out began to happen as often as 3 times a day resulting in more "close calls" and, TSB in hand, I scheduled the problem to be corrected at the dealer. I have been advised that this is a $1200. 00 repair and, after the warranty payment, I will owe about $400. 00. This really is a safety issue that has been ongoing for some time and, I think merits further investigation by you folks. I see recalls for the Wrangler for things like floor mats and automatic transmission sensors which "may" cause an accident - this issue has been known for some time to the manufacturer and documented by TSB referenced above. Thank you for your time.

See all problems of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler 🔎.

Special financing available

Select PayPal Credit at checkout to have the option to pay over time.

Qualifying purchases could enjoy No Interest if paid in full in 6 months on purchases of $99 or more. Other offers may also be available.

Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the balance is not paid in full within 6 months. Minimum monthly payments are required. Subject to credit approval. See terms- for PayPal Credit, opens in a new window or tab

The PayPal Credit account is issued by Synchrony Bank.

View Full Version : starting problem

icecreamman

08-17-2013, 11:01 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHI1pnavFRM

I have an 08 sahara. Sometimes when I try to start it, it will take a couple of key turns to get it to start.
It's not my video (above) but mine is doing the same thing. The battery is not even a year old and the guy in the video writes that he had the starter replaced three times. Anybody else have this happen and what was the fix?

Sorry wrong thread :dejection:

empty

08-18-2013, 09:23 AM

I personally have not had this yet, but from the video my first guess would be the relay circuit. I would have to look but chances are the starter circuit and some other circuit use the same relay. You could try swapping them as its super simple and costs nothing. Just a thought. Hope you get it figured out

Wilber

08-18-2013, 09:26 AM

Try putting it in neutral, or pushing up on the gear selector if it is an automatic. Mine doe this every once in a while.

Buick Guy

08-18-2013, 10:25 AM

Try putting it in neutral, or pushing up on the gear selector if it is an automatic. Mine do this every once in a while.

Mine does the exact same thing and this is the fix. From what I found searching is there is a contact in the trans for gear selection and if the contact does not have a good connection you get the click. I have not found a fix yet but just pushing the shifter into park a little bit more fixes it. My buddy at work has an 08 also and it does the same thing.

icecreamman

08-18-2013, 11:14 AM

Thanks for the info. I give it a try next time it happens.

thats what mine has started to do every once in a while

Inigo Montoya

08-20-2013, 04:19 AM

I was thinking I had subscribed to another thread here about this, but apparently not.

I too have an '08 Sahara and have the same issue. If I remember correctly, it is something along the lines of what Buick mentioned. There is some sensor that that tells the ignition that the tranny is in park. And at times it doesn't. I've found that it you turn the power on, then shift three or four times into drive and back to park, it will start. I've also noticed it seems to act up more when the Jeep has been driven for some time, or when it's hot outside. No idea about a fix. I just live with it.

It is, however, pretty funny to watch valets try and figure it out. http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/grin-0003.gif

icecreamman

08-20-2013, 04:15 PM

^ yea I figure it's a new (free) security system ;) If it doesn't start right away they will just move on to another vehicle .

powerplant69

08-22-2013, 09:20 PM

Neutral safety switch. Adjust your shifter cable. Some people have complained about ground straps, but mine was the NSS.

Xodius

08-29-2013, 03:53 PM

Mine does the exact same thing and this is the fix. From what I found searching is there is a contact in the trans for gear selection and if the contact does not have a good connection you get the click. I have not found a fix yet but just pushing the shifter into park a little bit more fixes it. My buddy at work has an 08 also and it does the same thing.

Same thing I do. Just a jeep-ism in my book. Mine is an '08 with about 68K on it. It doesn't happen all the time but maybe...once a month or once every 3 months. *shrug*

icecreamman

09-05-2013, 07:15 PM

I took the Jeep to the dealership, I have the lifetime warranty and another one we got for almost nothing when I bought it. Figured let them give a look. It did it all last week but when I showed them it started fine. They had it overnight and it worked fine. They said they checked the nss and it wasn't that. One of their mechanics said he saw a couple Jeeps do the same thing and it's a connector between the ignition and the starter. He said they get water in the connector and shorts out. When they pulled the connector apart it was green and some water was still in it.
They replaced the connector and the starter under warranty. I dunno if that was the problem but I guess it's a good start and didn't cost me anything!

cpak80

09-05-2013, 07:59 PM

Mines an 07 and does this any hot or humid day. I just turn key on and down to neutral then back to park in one movement and it starts every time

Banned4life

09-15-2013, 04:22 PM

Should have read this thread first. Just replaced the starter and battery and checked every connection. Started fine got back home and won't start again. Now that I know this has anyone had any luck just replacing the numeral saftey switch?

Vegasrobbi

09-15-2013, 09:00 PM

Should have read this thread first. Just replaced the starter and battery and checked every connection. Started fine got back home and won't start again. Now that I know this has anyone had any luck just replacing the numeral saftey switch?

My first post on Freaks:)

It's called a Transmission Range Sensor (TRS). It is mounted on the valve body and is a pain to replace. It has 4 small spring loaded contacts that slide on a plastic embedded metal plate as you move the shift lever.

It is a poor design from the 1980's, runs in hot and often dirty transmission fluid. We replace it with a Shift Lever Position (SLP) board of our own design. Starting in 2012 the JK went to a SLP module.

If the transmission is grounded well the TRS is simple to test. When it won't start ground the yellow/blue wire in connector 4 of your PCM, that will bypass the TRS. Be careful since it will start in any gear when grounded so be sure it is in park. Also be sure to unground before you shift from park or you will go into PRNDL error.

I install a TRS byass switch for my expedition customers so they don't get stranded. I had one guy from Canada use the bypass 16 times on his trek across the US.

Vegasrobbi

09-15-2013, 09:37 PM

Should have read this thread first. Just replaced the starter and battery and checked every connection. Started fine got back home and won't start again. Now that I know this has anyone had any luck just replacing the numeral saftey switch?

My first post on Freaks:)

It's called a Transmission Range Sensor (TRS). It is mounted on the valve body and is a pain to replace. It has 4 small spring loaded contacts that slide on a plastic embedded metal plate as you move the shift lever.

It is a poor design from the 1980's, runs in hot and often dirty transmission fluid. We replace it with a Shift Lever Position (SLP) board of our own design. Starting in 2012 the JK went to a SLP module.

If the transmission is grounded well the TRS is simple to test. When it won't start ground the yellow/blue wire in connector 4 of your PCM, that will bypass the TRS. Be careful since it will start in any gear when grounded so be sure it is in park. Also be sure to unground before you shift from park or you will go into PRNDL error.

I install a TRS byass switch for my expedition customers so they don't get stranded. I had one guy from Canada use the bypass 16 times on his trek across the US.

karls10jk

09-15-2013, 10:12 PM

Vegasrobbi- Can you tell us more about the product? It sounds like your company produces a piece that that is good for 07-11 JK's with auto trans. Where are the connections for the PCM??

Would you suggest the TRS be the first place people look when they have starting issues?? Any figures on how common (or a percentage) of failures you see that the TRS is the issue vs adding an extra ground cable to the alternator.

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 4

Vegasrobbi

09-15-2013, 11:35 PM

Adding a ground doesn't hurt. The TRS picks up it's ground through the transmission shift shaft which is grounded by the case. So essentially be sure the transmission/engine are well grounded. The JK's main ground cables are marginal to start with. Be sure the ground studs on both inner fender wells are tight, and make sure the three way ground strap which goes from the hood to the firewall to the engine is there and tight.

For 2007-8 JK's be sure the software is up to date. There is a TSB for ESD(electro static discharge) which results in a no crank condition.
Antitheft System - Engine No Crank/No Start Condition NUMBER: 08-007-08 REV. A

If the software is up to date and grounds are good and you experience a no crank condition using the key go to the starter relay in the TIPM. Jump terminals 30 and 87 (use a relay tester if your not familiar with relays)[be sure it is in park!]. If it cranks each and every time at the relay but not at the key it is likely not the starter motor, grounds, battery, alternator, etc. I can't tell you how many times customers comes in and say I have an intermittent no crank and they replaced the battery, starter and alternator. I have seen dealers upgrade grounds and replace parts and not fix the condition.

At this point go to connector 4 of your PCM, grab the yellow/blue wire. Go back and crank with the key and if it starts you most likely have a bad TRS. Sometimes adjusting the shifter cable helps; or, shift into neutral and try to start, or just jockey the shift handle around and if it starts it most likely is the TRS. The TRS plate gets grooves worn on the surface, the springs behind the pins are very weak, like a ball point pen springs. Combine this with dirty hot transmission fluid and a worn shift shaft and there just isn't enough ground available to send a signal to the PCM. Some may experience a momentary crank and shut off. Enough continuity is available to set the circuit off then once the circuit is under load the ground drops out and results in no crank, you get a click.

One solution is to get the TRS out of the transmission and put it in a less hostile environment. We add a linear pot to the shift lever which tells a digital circuit the shift lever position(SLP) to within a few thousandth's of an inch. Jeep started doing a similar set up starting in 12'. Our circuit is programmable so each position is memorized and the memory is non volatile; this way if the battery is disconnected the memory is saved. In addition it is designed to always ground the N/S wire when the lever is in Park or neutral so you don't get stuck, even if there is a PRNDL error.

The TRS has 6 wires going to it, two are for the transmission temperature sensor, the other four are the four pins on the TRS. Since the early Jk has a Powertrain Control Module the transmission functions are controlled by the NGC4 computer up by the windshield washer bottle. The automatic transmission functions are routed to connector 4 of the NGC4, the one closest to the engine, that is why there is no connector 4 present on manual JK's. The 4 PRNDL wires essentially feed the PCM a 7 segment driver signal which the PCM translates into shift lever position. It uses this information for neutral safety functions, reverse lights, the PRNDL on the dash(VFD) and of coarse engine performance.

We use our circuit primarily for V8 swaps; however, we have sold several to guys who don't want to mess with replacing the TRS.

karls10jk

09-16-2013, 12:05 AM

That's good information to know and you certainly paint a vivid picture of the happenings within the transmission. Luckily I've got a manual so I can use this info to assist others.

So you've designed this piece, is it proprietary or did you adapt it from another application or just use the 12+ and retro fit it? Also- you mention the trans fix, taking in customers with no start conditions, and v8 swaps......what kind of shop is it that you've got? Furthermore.....did the SLP come out of necessity from a bad design from the factory or was it something you put together for your v8 swaps and just applied it to the stock application to correct an issue? (Albeit if you simply retro'd the 12+ unit then obviously it didn't come from v8 swaps and so forth)

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 4

Vegasrobbi

09-16-2013, 12:24 AM

That's good information to know and you certainly paint a vivid picture of the happenings within the transmission. Luckily I've got a manual so I can use this info to assist others.

So you've designed this piece, is it proprietary or did you adapt it from another application or just use the 12+ and retro fit it? Also- you mention the trans fix, taking in customers with no start conditions, and v8 swaps......what kind of shop is it that you've got? Furthermore.....did the SLP come out of necessity from a bad design from the factory or was it something you put together for your v8 swaps and just applied it to the stock application to correct an issue? (Albeit if you simply retro'd the 12+ unit then obviously it didn't come from v8 swaps and so forth)

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 4

We put GM LS engines in Jk's. LSWrangler.com. MoTech is our company name. The LS is light, powerful and compact. An LS JK drives like no other JK, especially when combined with the 6l80 6 speed clutch to clutch automatic transmission. Our customers include John Currie, Phil Howell, EVO, Poison Spyder..... We don't advertise and word of mouth has kept us busy. You have a build thread on JKfreaks now at MoTech, a 430 HP all aluminum LS3 20110 JKR. Our SLP board was developed to allow full function of the Jk systems with an LS engine installed. It's different with a Hemi since it shares a common OS with the JK. Our swaps support virtually all JK systems with the LS engine installed, like it came from the factory that way. The SLP circuit is just part of what makes it all happen. It is a proprietary design, we work with an EE closely to develop these circuits. The circuits use microprocessors and are built to military standards, we have not had a failure yet.

The 2012's already have an SLP circuit installed so when we do a 12' swap we simply use it. The earlier JK's cannot use the 12' SLP since the OS's are very different. The 12' SLP is actually a module integrated into the bus so it is not easily fitted to any other application.

karls10jk

09-16-2013, 12:30 AM

Yes.....I've checked out MoTech before and realllllllllllly like the LS swaps, but I could be partial since I've got some experience with the corvette's and the power they lay down.

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 4

Banned4life

09-17-2013, 08:19 PM

Thanks for all the info. So is this Robbie? We are actually doing one of your swaps right now in my shop. Now that I know what the problem is on mine should we check that one as well? We already have the modified shifter back from you guys with your additional servo on the side of. I don't think we have ever asked you guys at a Motec a question that you didn't have an answer for. Invaluable tool for sure.

Vegasrobbi

09-19-2013, 12:43 AM

It's me. Once the SLP board is installed it must be programmed. It uses a linear pot and digital circuitry to determine shift lever position within a few thousands.

Once programmed it will memorize slp for life, or until reprogrammed. It has non volatile memory so it will keep its programming even if the battery is disconnected for a year. It will always default to start your JK if the shift lever is in park or neutral.

Our early slp was mechanical, we went to digital so many different shifters can be used with the same circuit. For instance we can install a 12' bump shifter in an earlier JK so the 6l80 can be bump shifted and it looks all stock.

greenenvey

01-01-2014, 02:14 PM

hi there I didn't even know you were over here!!!:tennis:

Love Monkey

01-01-2014, 03:00 PM

Omg so odd that I found this today! Back in March my Jeep was doing this. Battery, starter, alternator all checked out fine. One of the local Jeep guys (also a mechanic) said there could still be something wrong with the battery core that the battery test wasn't picking up. I called the DM for AutoZone & got a new battery under warranty.

Last night before heading to BB King, Jeep did it again! I begged her to start & luckily she did ;-) and she started for the valet after the show (no other way to park at this venue)

Vegas, your explanation is way beyond my scope of understanding so if it happens again I'll try shifting her into park again!

Sent from Love's Galaxy

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright © 2022 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

Where is the transmission range sensor located?

How long does it take to change a transmission range sensor?

What is a range sensor transmission?

What does a transmission range switch do?