Need Advise: '03 4.6 with possible bad tranny...

[Dlabonte_2]

Okay, so some of you may (or may not) know that my old '97 5.0l was totaled about two and a half weeks ago. I found a decent deal on a 2003 Eddie Bauer 4.6 with low (47,900) miles on it. Looked clean, drove nice, etc. I picked it up from the dealer this past Friday.

Friday evening driving home, I noticed something a little funny with the transmission. Maybe it was me, maybe it was the road, maybe the Ex. Did it again today. It seems that when I am in reverse and back up then shift to drive and put my foot on the gas, there's a slight (but noticeable) shudder. This quickly goes away and then it's business as normal. Highway speeds - all seems fine.

I'm suspecting that I've got a tranny that's on it's way south. Thoughts? I'm headed to my local mechanic tomorrow just to have another person see what's it doing. I'm not looking forward to fighting with the dealer on either a repair of a buy-back.

Thoughts? I'm more than pretty bummed about this.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[xlt03]

Seems with the low mileage, I would think the transmission should be OK. Is the problem only when the vehicle is cold? My 03 4.6 shudders a bit when I start the vehicle in the AM and does what you described. Yesterday, I removed the IAC and cleaned it out. Seems OK so far.

 

[imp]

...... Yesterday, I removed the IAC and cleaned it out. Seems OK so far.

Would you know whether the IAC was later eliminated from the 4.6 as well as the 4.0L? My 2004 4.0 has NO IAC. imp

 

[xlt03]

I understood IAC was eliminated with throttle by wire on both.

 

[imp]

I understood IAC was eliminated with throttle by wire on both.

Thank you! So then, idling problems will now be added to the other "hazards" encountered now and then with drive by wire! imp

 

[Dlabonte_2]

So, update time. Brought it to my transmission guy and yes, the tranny is bad. Also a bad front wheel bearing. The dealer offered to replace the tranny with a used one (80,000 miles on it!) at no cost to me. I just don't see how putting an 80k mile tranny in a 48k mile truck is the correct fix. Talked about having a rebuild, which can happen if I cover the difference in cost between what their used tranny would be versus the rebuild.

At this point, my gut tells me to go back to the dealer and just say that I want to return the vehicle for a refund. I just don't think I'm ever going to feel the warm fuzzies about it. I've had it for two days and already discovered these issues.

Are the '04s and '05s slightly more reliable than the '03s? After reading of all the tranny/differential/wheel bearing issues with this generation, I'm really starting to rethink owning one.

 

[EasyRhino]

So, update time. Brought it to my transmission guy and yes, the tranny is bad. Also a bad front wheel bearing. The dealer offered to replace the tranny with a used one (80,000 miles on it!) at no cost to me. I just don't see how putting an 80k mile tranny in a 48k mile truck is the correct fix. Talked about having a rebuild, which can happen if I cover the difference in cost between what their used tranny would be versus the rebuild.

At this point, my gut tells me to go back to the dealer and just say that I want to return the vehicle for a refund. I just don't think I'm ever going to feel the warm fuzzies about it. I've had it for two days and already discovered these issues.

Are the '04s and '05s slightly more reliable than the '03s? After reading of all the tranny/differential/wheel bearing issues with this generation, I'm really starting to rethink owning one.

The wheel bearing is what it is - not that big of a deal.

Now, as for the tranny - sounds like your dealer wants to convince you to keep the truck, which I, like you, would not do with an older tranny swapped in on a wing and a prayer.

Since the 46K tranny is prematurely shot, and many perps has failures of these long before 100K, what about convincing the dealer to go halves with you on a tranny rebuild by a professional third party?

 

[Dlabonte_2]

I have a transmission guy who's experienced in the problems with the 3rd gen Ex transmissions. He's going to do a rebuild on it which should make it a little more stout than stock. His cost to me is about $2000. The dealer is going to kick in $1500 which is what it would have cost them to put in the used 80k mile tranny. I don't think I can go wrong with that.

I'll post some pics up of the new ride when I get it back! It's been at the dealer and will be at the tranny shop longer than I've actually had it parked here at home! In the meantime, I've got an '03 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (4.7) from the dealer to drive.

 

[jakedrew]

That sounds like a fair enough deal to me on the dealers end. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[EasyRhino]

I have a transmission guy who's experienced in the problems with the 3rd gen Ex transmissions. He's going to do a rebuild on it which should make it a little more stout than stock. His cost to me is about $2000. The dealer is going to kick in $1500 which is what it would have cost them to put in the used 80k mile tranny. I don't think I can go wrong with that.

I'll post some pics up of the new ride when I get it back! It's been at the dealer and will be at the tranny shop longer than I've actually had it parked here at home! In the meantime, I've got an '03 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (4.7) from the dealer to drive.

Heck yes, I think that's an outstanding deal, $500 for a new tranny, which is often the most expensive long-term repair for these trucks.

I say you made out, assuming that the new tranny holds up.