Help with transmission problem/code decyphering

2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
6 cylinder (yes, a 6-cylinder limited)

My 4-speed automatic transmission went nuts on me today. Seems it forgot how to upshift to 2nd or higher. Tried manually moving the shifter to 2nd ... nothing. I took the RPMs up pretty high—almost redlining in 1st gear—but no upshift. I tried turning off the ignition and starting it again, but the same deal.

So, I drove the thing to a gas station in first gear ... 30 mph ... that was fun [I was on E of course]. I put in half a tank of gas and decided to drive home. Miraculously, it worked fine (although the check engine light was still on).

When I got home I did the old ignition trick to retrieve the error code. I came up with P0720. Here's what the research says:

P0720 (M) Low Output SPD Sensor RPM Above 15 MPH—>
The relationship between the Output Shaft Speed Sensor and vehicle speed is not within acceptable limits.

P0720 (M) Low Output SPD Sensor RPM Above 15 MPH—>
Output shaft speed is less than 60 rpm with vehicle speed above 15 mph (4-speed auto. trans. only).

________________________

That's all well and good except the problem is that I have no idea what that means. Anybody experienced this before? Anybody know why there are two different descriptions for the same code? Any good suggestions on what I should do?

Thanks a ton.

Your transmission output sensor is bad or has a bad connection. There are two sensors on your model, an input speed sensor mounted to the front drivers side of the transmission and an output speed sensor mounted to the rear drivers side of the transmission.

2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
6 cylinder (yes, a 6-cylinder limited)

My 4-speed automatic transmission went nuts on me today. Seems it forgot how to upshift to 2nd or higher. Tried manually moving the shifter to 2nd ... nothing. I took the RPMs up pretty high—almost redlining in 1st gear—but no upshift. I tried turning off the ignition and starting it again, but the same deal.

So, I drove the thing to a gas station in first gear ... 30 mph ... that was fun [I was on E of course]. I put in half a tank of gas and decided to drive home. Miraculously, it worked fine (although the check engine light was still on).

When I got home I did the old ignition trick to retrieve the error code. I came up with P0720. Here's what the research says:

P0720 (M) Low Output SPD Sensor RPM Above 15 MPH—>
The relationship between the Output Shaft Speed Sensor and vehicle speed is not within acceptable limits.

P0720 (M) Low Output SPD Sensor RPM Above 15 MPH—>
Output shaft speed is less than 60 rpm with vehicle speed above 15 mph (4-speed auto. trans. only).

________________________

That's all well and good except the problem is that I have no idea what that means. Anybody experienced this before? Anybody know why there are two different descriptions for the same code? Any good suggestions on what I should do?

Thanks a ton.

Thanks reekor ... I'll swap that out.

Any idea if my Jeep has the 42RE or 45RFE or 545RFE transmission?

I'm thinking it's probably the 45RFE

Any idea if my Jeep has the 42RE or 45RFE or 545RFE transmission?
All six cylinder 4.0 liter JGC motors for that year came with the 42RE.

As said above all 4.0L WJ's came with 42RE and 4.7L came with 45RF. In 2003 the 45RFE replaced the 45RF


Thanks reekor ... I'll swap that out.

Any idea if my Jeep has the 42RE or 45RFE or 545RFE transmission?

I'm thinking it's probably the 45RFE

As said above all 4.0L WJ's came with 42RE and 4.7L came with 45RF. In 2003 the 45RFE replaced the 45RF
Not exactly.All 4.0 WJs did come with 42RE transmissions,but 4.7s came with the 45RFE in 99 and 2000.2001 and later have the 545RFE.also the 42RE only has one speed sensor,the output.

I have a 99 GCL with the 4.7 and my trans output sensor went out. It felt like the brakes were being put on every few seconds. Went to the dealer and $45 later, 10 minutes work back like new. Scary.

I just checked alldata and the 42re does show one sensor for 1999 and two sensors for 2000 up. My hollander only shows the 45RFE 2003-04 for what its worth.

Not exactly.All 4.0 WJs did come with 42RE transmissions,but 4.7s came with the 45RFE in 99 and 2000.2001 and later have the 545RFE.also the 42RE only has one speed sensor,the output.

Update :::

I swapped the Speed Output Sensor ... $17 at Advance Auto ... problem solved!

Jeepman i have had the same problem, my tranny wouldnt get up to speed at 70 one day entering the on ramp to get on the interstate, it topped out around 40, i pulled over to the shoulder, put in park, put in drive, then it wouldnt move, i was revving it up pretty much, then i put in 2nd moved then back to drive and was moving to around 40 mph. made it to a gas station got towed home, did any check engine light come on for you? mine doesnt have a light to come on, i realize you said you did the old ignition trick thanks for help

Never mind i had a blonde moment, i re-read that and saw you said you did have a cel on

I have a 1996 jeep grand cherokee laredo 4.0 6 cylinder, having a problem with transmission when I shift in reverse .I can't put in reverse and is a grinding noise when I shift in normal driving, but when I put in 4x4 and shift in reverse is not problem, not grinding and shift normal , as soon I take off of the 4x4 and try to shift in reverse is grinding and is hard to shift in reverse so any idea in this problem thanks dornier34

Sounds like a problem with the transfer case and not the transmission. My guess would be that your transfer case shifter needs adjustment.


I have a 1996 jeep grand cherokee laredo 4.0 6 cylinder, having a problem with transmission when I shift in reverse .I can't put in reverse and is a grinding noise when I shift in normal driving, but when I put in 4x4 and shift in reverse is not problem, not grinding and shift normal , as soon I take off of the 4x4 and try to shift in reverse is grinding and is hard to shift in reverse so any idea in this problem thanks dornier34

Sounds like a problem with the transfer case and not the transmission. My guess would be that your transfer case shifter needs adjustment.
where you adjust the tranfer case in this truck , somebody is telllling me that I need adjust the front band and rear band in the transmission under the oil pan how to adjust the transfercase ? thanks dornier34

The transfer case linkage connects to the side of the transfer case that is where you adjust it. If you had issues with the transmission you would have problems in 4wd as well as in 2wd. The transmission does not know what mode you are in and does not do anything more or less when in 2wd or 4wd as this task is switched by the transfer case. Furthermore in 4wd you add a little more stress on the driveline and if you had issues with bands it would act up in 4wd more then in 2wd. 2wd is your first shift selection and its just not adjusted enough to fully engage 2wd and grinding the gears in the transfer case. Any auto repair shop or transmission shop can adjust it for you and it only takes a few minutes to do.


where you adjust the tranfer case in this truck , somebody is telllling me that I need adjust the front band and rear band in the transmission under the oil pan how to adjust the transfercase ? thanks dornier34

The transfer case linkage connects to the side of the transfer case that is where you adjust it. If you had issues with the transmission you would have problems in 4wd as well as in 2wd. The transmission does not know what mode you are in and does not do anything more or less when in 2wd or 4wd as this task is switched by the transfer case. Furthermore in 4wd you add a little more stress on the driveline and if you had issues with bands it would act up in 4wd more then in 2wd. 2wd is your first shift selection and its just not adjusted enough to fully engage 2wd and grinding the gears in the transfer case. Any auto repair shop or transmission shop can adjust it for you and it only takes a few minutes to do.
ok thanks for your help , you the the JEEP MAN here in this forum I really apreciate it . I will let you know what is the result after this problem thanks keep in touch dornier34

The transfer case linkage connects to the side of the transfer case that is where you adjust it. If you had issues with the transmission you would have problems in 4wd as well as in 2wd. The transmission does not know what mode you are in and does not do anything more or less when in 2wd or 4wd as this task is switched by the transfer case. Furthermore in 4wd you add a little more stress on the driveline and if you had issues with bands it would act up in 4wd more then in 2wd. 2wd is your first shift selection and its just not adjusted enough to fully engage 2wd and grinding the gears in the transfer case. Any auto repair shop or transmission shop can adjust it for you and it only takes a few minutes to do.
Hi Recoor , I did the adjustment in the link ,some body did wrong adjust in the transfers case, is little better but still same problem, doing grinding noise when I shift in reverse. How difficult is drop the valve body in the transmission, I am looking for the reverse adjust band ,where is located? ,I had the oil pan out , filter out , and next is the valve body ,I know I have to desconect the wiring , any advise before drop the valve body from the transmission .or how Adjust the reverse band in the trasmission any ideas will be great thanks dornier34