[IronMike3406]

Our 2018 Renegade hasn't had any real problems or issues with the 9-speed in the 5 years of ownership the only one thing I have noticed is when it was extremely cold outside like -21 Fahrenheit we saw in 2021, the trans did act a little bit funky, I scrolled thru the menu and noticed the trans temp was only 9 degrees Fahrenheit , so I pulled over and let the transmission warm up to about 75 degrees and it never missed a beat afterwards. Now I just remote start at minimum twice to get fluids up to a better operating range. Our shifts are smooth and consistent

 

[ImperialCrown]

Shift behavior (scheduling) will be different between cold & hot. It is in the software & it is normal.

"During cold temperatures, transmission operation may be modified depending on engine and transmission temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature improves warm up time of the engine and transmission to achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque converter clutch, and shifts into 8th or 9th gear, are inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm (refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter Clutch” in this section). Normal operation will resume once the transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level".

NOTE: The torque converter clutch will not engage until the transmission fluid is warm (usually after 1 to 3 miles [2 to 5 km] of driving). Because the engine speed is higher when the torque converter clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission is not shifting properly when cold. This is normal. The torque converter clutch will function normally once the transmission is sufficiently warm.

 

[LouJC]

My son's friend has a '19 Compass, the 9 speed in this one has worked perfectly so far, it's at about 80,000 miles....

 

[Adventurer55]

I had several Jeep rentals with the 9sp. They did their job, but they weren't anywhere close to the 8sp in our GC. Had they shifted like that, I don't think anyone would complain at all. Or, I forgot, some would just to complain.

 

[Tico007]

Purchased a 2019 Cherokee limited 3.2 with 49k a year ago. Within a month I was noticing a very harsh shift to 5th under certain conditions around 40 mph. I was concerned about damage so I changed the transmission fluid to see if there was any metal fragments. Nothin other than cloudy green fluid with the consistency of water. That helped a little bit but not much so I went to the dealer. They gave it the latest TCM/PCM programming. It’s been about six months. The 5th clunk is not as severe and it appears that they changed the speed that 5th occurs. Instead of 40-45, it’s shifting at 30–35. I get why they do that. The 5th gear is a dog leg which means you have to remove line pressure for a quick moment to get a smooth transition. Which is more likely at a lower speed rpm. But..it’s still there. This Cherokee is miserable on the steep roller coaster like roads going to and from my house. It can’t figure out what to do when to shift. It’s the only vehicle in 20 years of living here that has struggled with these roads. I figured a Jeep would be perfect for these roads. Nope. I should probably dump it before the PTU problems start with no parts to fix it.

 

[ImperialCrown]

Welcome to Allpar. I had a harsh 4-5 upshift after the software update as well.
I went back for a Quicklearn & a PROXI reset. The PROXI was there and looked good on the scan tool. The technician toggled the PROXI off, then back on (a 'reboot' if you will).
The 200 has shifted as smooth as butter ever since.
This is the latest & greatest software version update bulletin for yours (already installed). Perform these bulletins in order:

 

[Tico007]

Welcome to Allpar. I had a harsh 4-5 upshift after the software update as well.
I went back for a Quicklearn & a PROXI reset. The PROXI was there and looked good on the scan tool. The technician toggled the PROXI off, then back on (a 'reboot' if you will).
The 200 has shifted as smooth as butter ever since.
This is the latest & greatest software version update bulletin for yours (already installed). Perform these bulletins in order:
View attachment 101325
View attachment 101326
View attachment 101329

Thanks. Can I perform the proxi alignment? I have the OBDLink MX+ . Can I do it with the app that comes with it, or do I need to get the alpha software?

 

[ImperialCrown]

I am not familiar with the OBDLink MX+ or Alpha. Perhaps someone here can chime in who is more familiar with them?
From what I read on their website, I didn't see anything about PROXI. Maybe contact their 'support' and ask?
I don't see a Quicklearn or PROXI reset mentioned on the repair order.

 

[georgef]

Thanks. Can I perform the proxi alignment? I have the OBDLink MX+ . Can I do it with the app that comes with it, or do I need to get the alpha software?
View attachment 101359
View attachment 101358

You will need Alfa OBD or Appcar DiagFCA to do a proxi alignment, the OBDLink app that comes with the MX+ cannot do it.

 

[Tico007]

You will need Alfa OBD or Appcar DiagFCA to do a proxi alignment, the OBDLink app that comes with the MX+ cannot do it.

Thanks. I have AlphaOBD installed on a tablet. Is there anything else I need? I was reading somewhere the 2019+ Cherokee may need some type of security bypass cable? Or am I good to go?

 

[valiant67]

Thanks. I have AlphaOBD installed on a tablet. Is there anything else I need? I was reading somewhere the 2019+ Cherokee may need some type of security bypass cable? Or am I good to go?

You probably do need the bypass cable.

 

[Tico007]

When the 9 speed first came out it had quite a few problems rough shifting and cluckiness but I belive very few total failures. It reminds me of our 4 speed ultrdrive whick took 8/9 years to fix. The differance is often the ultradrive had to be rebuilt or replaced unlike the 9 speed.
QUESTION1: Have all tbe problems been fixed by now?
QUESTION2: is it true though they may have rough shifting problems they are very durable and rarly have to be rebuilt or replaced?

I have a 2019 Cherokee. The answer to your first question is no. It’s not fixed. It still has that bad 5th gear dog leg shift. And strange downshifting depending on conditions. I changed the fluid and didn’t see anything bad just fluid dirty with clutch material. I had the latest firmware updates performed last year. All that seems to do is change the shifting around so instead of the big clunk at 40 going into fifth now it’s a more subtle shift at 30 mph.

 

[Tico007]

You probably do need the bypass cable.

I just tried it. The pairing went fine. It seemed like I was in but I didn’t try anything. I’m going take some baby steps and retract the ebrake tomorrow. That should tell me if I’m actually in or not. I did buy that red cable just in case.

 

[valiant67]

Usually you can connect and read without a cable. You do need it to write changes, but the brakes retract I don’t know?

 

[Tico007]

Usually you can connect and read without a cable. You do need it to write changes, but the brakes retract I don’t know?

Appreciate the replies, its hard finding answers from anybody that owns or works on the Cherokee KL. Most rely on extended warranties. Can I leave a an extension cable like this installed, plug in the red 12+8 cable when I want to do something? This way I don’t have to keep taking the dashboard apart.

 

[Tico007]

I plan on a driveline fluid change at 60K miles (100K km), if only for peace-of-mind & to establish a baseline for wear.
Synthetics have allowed us to have 'Forever fluids'. Use fluids that meet the FCA 'MS' specs.

The 9-speed is a fluid-only service. The filter is accessed through the bell-housing, necessitating unit removal.
A dipstick can be made with a zip-tie. Fluid level changes with fluid temperature.
View attachment 96484

View attachment 96485

I noticed that this chart has levels significantly higher than other charts on the Internet, like gears magazine and the Haynes manual video on YouTube. It’s not a small difference. It’s approximately 10mm higher at each temperature on the chart. I wonder why.