[ed_wong]

I took the Pacifica for a 400 mile trip yesterday. I noticed some quirks about it and was wondering if anybody else has noticed these? My drive went from the south bay area through CA-152 to I-5 into north Sacramento. The CA-152 section is somewhat windy and has some fairly steep hills. The I-5 section is pretty flat with the exception of some hills while going over an overpass.

When I made it out to I-5, I was able to get the Pac into 8th at 75mph and the instant fuel economy was showing about 34mpg. After going for about a mile, I hit one of the overpasses and the transmission shifted down into 7th and stayed there for next 5 miles or so even through the road was flat. I seen another overpass coming so I kicked off the cruise control and went over the overpass and on the way down the overpass, the transmission finally kicked back into 8th gear and the road was flat so I was able to drive the next 25 or so miles without the cruise control on going over the overpasses and maintaining 8th gear and a higher instant fuel economy reading then when the cruise control was on cruising in 7th gear.

I turned on the cruise control for the next few miles and I noticed once I hit a overpass the transmission shifts down to 7th gear and does not shift back up to 8th gear on the way down. Is anybody else seeing this kind of behavior when using the cruise control? Seems to me at this point if I drive without the cruise control on the freeway I can get better fuel economy then with it on. But on long trips that's not really feasible. I can understand while using the cruise control the transmission shifting down to go over the overpass but, I would think it should shift back up on the down part of the overpass. If I drive with the cruise control off, I can drive over most of the overpasses without the transmission ever shifting out of 8th gear.

I had the transmission software checked the last time I was at the dealer and they said the Pac has the latest version. Anyone else seeing this while using cruise control?

 

[Gohawks1224]

I took the Pacifica for a 400 mile trip yesterday. I noticed some quirks about it and was wondering if anybody else has noticed these? My drive went from the south bay area through CA-152 to I-5 into north Sacramento. The CA-152 section is somewhat windy and has some fairly steep hills. The I-5 section is pretty flat with the exception of some hills while going over an overpass.

When I made it out to I-5, I was able to get the Pac into 8th at 75mph and the instant fuel economy was showing about 34mpg. After going for about a mile, I hit one of the overpasses and the transmission shifted down into 7th and stayed there for next 5 miles or so even through the road was flat. I seen another overpass coming so I kicked off the cruise control and went over the overpass and on the way down the overpass, the transmission finally kicked back into 8th gear and the road was flat so I was able to drive the next 25 or so miles without the cruise control on going over the overpasses and maintaining 8th gear and a higher instant fuel economy reading then when the cruise control was on cruising in 7th gear.

I turned on the cruise control for the next few miles and I noticed once I hit a overpass the transmission shifts down to 7th gear and does not shift back up to 8th gear on the way down. Is anybody else seeing this kind of behavior when using the cruise control? Seems to me at this point if I drive without the cruise control on the freeway I can get better fuel economy then with it on. But on long trips that's not really feasible. I can understand while using the cruise control the transmission shifting down to go over the overpass but, I would think it should shift back up on the down part of the overpass. If I drive with the cruise control off, I can drive over most of the overpasses without the transmission ever shifting out of 8th gear.

I had the transmission software checked the last time I was at the dealer and they said the Pac has the latest version. Anyone else seeing this while using cruise control?

Wonder if you have ACC or not. Anyhow, you are probably experiencing head wind as your car and tranny could care less if you were on a bridge, overpass, underpass, freeway, dirt road... well ok maybe dirt road. I did notice in a 15mph head wind that my ACC was constantly adjusting the speed.

 

[ed_wong]

No ACC on Touring L models. I don't think it was wind since it was calm as far as wind. Plus running without the cruise control on the Pac was able to maintain 8th gear. Could not maintain 8th gear with cruise on.

 

[manoli]

Does it ever go into the 9th speed? I would think on down hills it would.

 

[mickeyboat]

How could you tell what gear transmission was in?

 

[Norbert]

Rumor is part of the software upgrade was making it really hard to shift to 9th. Although, I am still amazed how low the rpms are on our Pac. Like its barely idling at 60mph!

 

[generaltso]

Rumor is part of the software upgrade was making it really hard to shift to 9th.

I don't think it has anything to do with a software update. My Cherokee has the same transmission, and I've never seen it hit 9th gear in almost 3 years of ownership.

 

[ed_wong]

Yeah, never seen 9th gear even going 85mph on a slight downhill grade. You can tell what gear by speed and rpm according to the chart in this thread http://www.pacificaforums.com/forum...oblems/4274-trans-wont-shift-last-gear-3.html

 

[Thomas]

Transmission issue.

I own a 2017 Pacifica, my problem is that on a decline with cruise on the engine revs. but my speed increases to the point I have to shut the cruise off, RPM gets to 3500 to 4000, but Im not slowing down,also when city driving I can hear a loud click when accelerating after slowing down.

 

[ChryslerCares]

I own a 2017 Pacifica, my problem is that on a decline with cruise on the engine revs. but my speed increases to the point I have to shut the cruise off, RPM gets to 3500 to 4000, but Im not slowing down,also when city driving I can hear a loud click when accelerating after slowing down.

Hi Thomas,
I understand why this would be concerning. If you decide to have your dealer look into this, you may also send us a private message so we can help address any questions you may have.
Lydia
Chrysler Social Care Specialist

 

[Patrifica]

Transmission issue.

I own a 2017 Pacifica, my problem is that on a decline with cruise on the engine revs. but my speed increases to the point I have to shut the cruise off, RPM gets to 3500 to 4000, but Im not slowing down,also when city driving I can hear a loud click when accelerating after slowing down.

Did you ever get this figured out? I had a similar frightening situation two days ago. Had the cruise set for 58mph and noticed the speed jump up to 63mph down a hill and felt the transmission kick down a gear and the RPMs increase. I didn't think much of it and figured the transmission was kicking down to use the engine as a brake. I started cresting another hill and the speed dropped back down to 58mph.

Going down the next decline though (about a 7-8% grade), the van started downshifting gears one by one and continued to increase speed up to 70mph. It was not downshifting to slow the van down and was actively fueling the engine as I could feel it accelerate with each downshift. When it hit 70mph I laid on the brakes to end the cruise and get my speed back in check. Needless to say, I'm very apprehensive to use the cruise again.

I noticed there was a recall for cruise control in Chrysler vehicles but that seems unrelated to this issue.

 

[ChryslerCares]

Did you ever get this figured out? I had a similar frightening situation two days ago. Had the cruise set for 58mph and noticed the speed jump up to 63mph down a hill and felt the transmission kick down a gear and the RPMs increase. I didn't think much of it and figured the transmission was kicking down to use the engine as a brake. I started cresting another hill and the speed dropped back down to 58mph.

Going down the next decline though (about a 7-8% grade), the van started downshifting gears one by one and continued to increase speed up to 70mph. It was not downshifting to slow the van down and was actively fueling the engine as I could feel it accelerate with each downshift. When it hit 70mph I laid on the brakes to end the cruise and get my speed back in check. Needless to say, I'm very apprehensive to use the cruise again.

I noticed there was a recall for cruise control in Chrysler vehicles but that seems unrelated to this issue.

Hi Patrifica,

I'm very sorry to hear that this happened to you, I certainly understand why it would be concerning. If you have not done so already, I recommend bringing this concern to the attention of your servicing dealer as they are in the best position to assist. Our team is just a PM away if you are in need of any help with that process.

Mark
Chrysler Social Care Specialist