# 2005 Jeep Wrangler - Runs great when cold **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** jeep\ **Created:** [May 9, 2019, 12:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-jeep-wrangler-runs-great-when-cold/140005 "2019-05-09T00:53:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bill13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ec9cab/32.png) [@Bill13](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bill13)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 12:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-jeep-wrangler-runs-great-when-cold/140005/1 "2019-05-09T00:53:14Z")
Have a 2005 wrangler auto trains. When you shut off engine and restart with in approx 5 min it goes t default 2 gear. Over the winter warning light went off and car ran fine during real cold days. Now spring it’s going back to same problem jeep dealer said could be solenoid or control module they had no clue any idea ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 2:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-jeep-wrangler-runs-great-when-cold/140005/2 "2019-05-09T02:40:00Z")
My guess is that the transmission is running hot, and when you shut it off the fluid is going over the temperature which will put the transmission into limp mode. Step one is to get a pan drop and fluid change. Then you need an accurate check by a local independent transmission shop ( not a franchise like AAMCO, Cottman,or any of the others). The fact that the dealer couldn’t diagnose this gives me a bad feeling about them. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 2:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-jeep-wrangler-runs-great-when-cold/140005/3 "2019-05-09T02:45:38Z")
> [@Bill13](#): > > jeep dealer said could be solenoid or control module they had no clue any idea Did you just ask about this or did you actually pay the diagnostic fee . Mechanics don’t really like to just guess without looking for the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Bill13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ec9cab/32.png) [@Bill13](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bill13)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 8:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-jeep-wrangler-runs-great-when-cold/140005/4 "2019-05-09T20:26:40Z")
I did have the oil and filters changed in the transmission fluid and it stayed exactly the same thank you very much for your feedback ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-jeep-wrangler-runs-great-when-cold/140005/5 "2019-05-09T20:32:41Z")
I would look into software upgrade first. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2019, 3:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-jeep-wrangler-runs-great-when-cold/140005/6 "2019-05-10T03:34:55Z")
There’s a caller on a recent podcast with a similar problem. Car runs good on cold days, poorly on warm days, and won’t start if shut off w/a hot engine unless waiting 15-30 minutes. If you post the diagnostic codes you’ll get better help here. My guess is the same as Ray said for the caller, an ignition system problem. Definitely can be adversely affected by heat. Crank position sensor, cam position sensor, ignition module are all suspects. When the computer detects a problem with the ignition system, usually in the form of a misfire, it can put the engine is “safe” mode, which might be the reason the transmission won’t shift higher than 2nd gear. That’s to keep you going slowly to protect you and the engine, while still allowing you to at least move, for example if you are in a dangerous crime-ridden area (e.g. in the USA … lol).