WK2 TC issues - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand

DownSouth · #1 21-12-2014

So I bought a 2011 WK2 new and now its out of warranty. I never used it off-road as I have a JK for that.
I took it to lennards track yesterday (Soft roader track) as we had rellies over and we needed two off-road vehicles to take them out.
Anyway.... I had it in 4wd low and I thought it drove like crap as it seemed to slip a lot. It has ATs and I let the air out a bit.
I soon realized that it was not in 4wd even though it said it was. When we got back to the road (after I had to pull it over some rocks with the JK), I put it back in 2wd. On the way home the engine light came on and a message "service 4wd system and air suspension system. It then went into limp mode.
When I finally got home I noticed the transfer case was covered in ATF. I cleaned it off and I can not for the life of me see where the ATF has come from. No split seals or axel seal leakage. Its all over the TC but not the tranny. (auto).
Its still in limp mode and i will send it to Jeep tomorrow.

I only ever took it through some soft sand when I first got it and it got bogged. I was able to reverse out only. I am now wondering if the 4wd system ever worked form new?????

Anyway. I have cleaned and looked, feel'd everywhere and its almost as though the ATF was pumped out and not leaked out. I'm curious if anyone has some thoughts on this.

Not happy, a easy track and it fails spectacularly.

DownSouth · #2 22-12-2014

At the dealer now getting looked at...
Surprised a little with no feedback on this.

Clarky · #3 22-12-2014

There is a breather on the top of your transmission(it usually has a tube connected to it), if your transmission gets hot the fluid will expand enough to vent out the top of the box but this usually only happens if the fluid was filled to the max level or over full.

If they tell you that the fluid has been burnt insist on a full fluid flush & filter change.

DownSouth · #4 24-12-2014

Well I just got informed I need a NEW TC.
I told the dealer it was the first time offroad but its now out of warranty, they new there was a problem with the early batches but it looks like I'm going to get smashed on this.
Hopefully they will see this for what it is and work something out. The sales guys are doing what they can to talk to Jeep on my behalf.

I wont know till next week what the outcome will be.

willow · #5 30-12-2014

How did you go with the TC pal?

Taprod · #6 03-01-2015

Yeah, keen to know about this. hope it all turned out OK

multihull · #7 04-01-2015

It sounds like they may have serviced the TC and put Auto Tran fluid in instead on the specialised TC fluid. That's more than likely why its was slipping. The Dealership then realised their very expensive mistake and make you pay to fix their stuff up.

If it was just a wrong fluid problem then a very thorougher flush and a second fluid change after 1000 km might fix the problem.

You could ask to view the TC and then get them to remove the fluid drain plug. TC fluid should be clear or as it ages go a bit amber in colour. ATF fluid is red, the wrong stuff.