Jeep Commander is one of the most popular SUVs in the United States. It was manufactured by Chrysler and sold between 2006 and 2010.
Transmission over temp is one of the common problems I heard owners complain about, in this article, I am going to share what transmission over temperature means on your Jeep commander, the main cause, and how to fix the problem.
What Does Jeep Commander Transmission over temp mean?
Transmission over temp is a warning light on your Jeep commander dash, which means your commander transmission temperature is higher than it should be which is usually caused by two things, a bad transmission temperature sensor and/or a faulty PCM (Powertrain Control Module).
What Causes “Transmission over Temp” message on a Commander
1. Powertrain Control Module:
From my experience, this is the most common cause, 98% of the Jeep Commander transmission over temp fault is due to a bad PCM.
The PCM is responsible for monitoring the temperature of your transmission and other parts of your Jeep commander.
It also has a built-in thermal sensor that tells it when something is overheating.
When this happens, the PCM will display a warning light on your dashboard telling you that there’s an issue with one or more components in your vehicle. If you’re getting this message, there’s a good chance it the PCM has failed.
2. Bad Transmission Temperature Sensor:
In some cases (rare on Commanders) the temperature sensor on the transmission itself could be bad.
If it’s not reading what it needs to, then it will throw a code and you’ll get a warning light on your dashboard.
What is PCM on a Jeep Commander and How Does it Work?
Now that you know that the most common cause for this fault is a Bad PCM. You may be wondering what a PCM is. Well, the Powertrain control module is the onboard computer that controls all of your vehicle’s major systems.
It monitors everything from fuel injection to emissions and engine performance including the transmission control unit (TCU). The PCM is often referred to as the brain of your vehicle.
It monitors all the sensors and inputs to the Jeep commander and sends out commands accordingly. If there are any issues with the PCM, you will likely get various fault codes and in this instance a “Transmission over temp”
Other Symptoms of a Bad Powertrain Control Module
Since your Jeep commander PCM controls most of your vehicle’s systems, it is often the culprit when it comes to diagnosing problems. Here are other things that you may experience in commander
- Your Commander is not starting: If you have a problem with your Jeep commander PCM, it may not be able to start your vehicle. you are likely to experience this alongside the “Transmission over temp” fault
- Your Jeep engine stalls and stutters: If your Jeep commander PCM is not functioning properly, it may cause your vehicle to stall and stutter. This will also be accompanied by other symptoms such as a rough idle and loss of power.
- Poor Fuel economy: If your Jeep commander PCM is not functioning properly, it may cause your vehicle to burn more fuel than usual.
Also Read: Fixing a Jeep Tire Pressure Monitoring System
How to Fix “Transmission Over Temp” on a Jeep Commander
My first recommendation is to have your Jeep commander PCM checked out by a professional. If they determine that it is not functioning properly, you should have it replaced immediately.
This will prevent further damage to other components of your vehicle and ensure that everything is working properly again.
These modules are quite sensitive, unless you know what you are doing you should not attempt to repair or replace them yourself (although PCMs are plug-and-play).
If you want to save some money, I recommend that you buy the part online, you can get one on eBay for $170-400 depending on the year of your Jeep commander, and have a qualified mechanic install it for you.
Additional Sources
https://www.jdpower.com/cars/history/jeep/commander
https://www.solopcms.com/blog/7-common-pcm-failure-symptoms/