NUMBER:
GROUP:
DATE:

21-038-20
21 - Transmission and
Transfer Case
June 3, 2020

This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without written permission of FCA US LLC.

SUBJECT:
Transmission Case Oil Leak
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves tightening the lower transmission bolts to updated torque specifications to
possibly eliminate a leak at the case split line of the transmission.
MODELS:
2019

(K8)

Jeep Grand Commander (China)

NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles within the following markets/countries: APAC.
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 9-SPD 948TE FWD/AWD Auto
Transmission (Sales Code DFH).
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Customers may notice (possibly transmission) fluid leaking on the ground from the left front of the
vehicle.
DIAGNOSIS:
If the customer describes the symptom/condition listed above, perform the Diagnosis Procedure.
1. Inspect the transmission tag located under the shifter cable, for the plant code and build date
(Fig. 1) .
NOTE: It may be necessary to remove the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and the two
bolts holding the shifter cable, to view the transmission tag.

21-038-20

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Fig. 1
(Reference Picture) for Transmission Tag Location
1
2
3
4

-

Cable
Release Collar
Bracket
Transmission Tag

2. Remove the PCM. Refer to the detailed service procedures available in DealerCONNECT>
Service Library under: 08 - Electrical / 8E - Electronic Control Modules / Module, Powertrain
Control (PCM) / Removal.
3. Remove the two bolts securing the shifter cable to the transmission to view the transmission
tag.
4. Inspect and note the transmission tag numbers from the transmission.
5. Install the two bolts securing the shifter cable to the transmission. Tighten M6 X 1.0 X 20.0 bolt
to 8 N·m (71 in. lbs). or M6 X 1.00 X 35.00 bolt to 10 N·m (88 in. lbs).
6. Install the PCM. Refer to the detailed service procedures available in DealerCONNECT>
Service Library under: 08 - Electrical / 8E - Electronic Control Modules / Module, Powertrain
Control (PCM) / Installation.
7. Is the transmission tag showing the plant code J or Z and is within these date ranges within the
table?
• YES>>> Unit falls within the suspect build date range, proceed to Step 8.
• NO>>> Tag is not showing these plant codes or date range this bulletin does not apply. Normal
diagnosis should be performed.
Affected Date Range – Plant Code J
Date Ranges

Examples

Calendar day 249 to
365
Calendar day 001 to
182

Date code with J1168
=> not affected
Date code with J2189
=> not affected

Calendar year 8
Calendar year 9

Date code with J3018
=> affected
Date code with J0279
=> affected

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21-038-20

Affected Date Range – Plant Code Z
Date Ranges
Calendar day 249 to
Calendar year 8
365

Examples
Date code with Z1168
=> not affected

Date code with Z3018
=> affected

Calendar day 001 to
095

Date code with Z1189
=> not affected

Date code with Z0279
=> affected

Calendar year 9

8. Remove the belly pan (if equipped). Refer to the detailed service procedures available in
DealerCONNECT> Service Library under: 13 - Frame and Bumpers/Under Body Protection/
Belly Pan/Removal.
9. Remove the skid plate (if equipped). Refer to the detailed service procedures available in
DealerCONNECT> Service Library under: 13 - Frame and Bumpers / Under Body Protection
/ Plate, Skid, Front Suspension / Removal.
10. Verify the leak is at the split in the transmission case (Fig. 2) .
11. Is the leak at the split in the transmission case location and not leaking from higher up or any
other location (Fig. 2) ?
• YES>>> Proceed to Step 1 of the Repair Procedure.
• NO>>> This Bulletin does not apply. Normal diagnosis should be performed.

Fig. 2
(Reference Picture) Potential Leak Area at Case Split

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-4-

PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty.
1 (AR)
(AR)

Part No.
68239839AA
Global Part# 68218925GA
or
68218925AB

Description
Gasket, Exhaust
Fluid, Automatic Transmission

REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. Remove the cross under exhaust pipe for access (if necessary). Refer to the detailed service
procedures available in DealerCONNECT> Service Library under: 11 - Exhaust System / Pipe,
Exhaust Crossunder / Removal.
2. Remove the transmission mount bracket to gain access to bolts 1 & 2 (Fig. 3) .

Fig. 3
(Reference Picture) Support Bracket to be Removed

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21-038-20

3. Starting at bolt #8 and then working to bolt #1, torque bolts to 35 N·m (26 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 4) .
CAUTION! Do not rotate the bolts counter clockwise.

Fig. 4
(Reference Picture) Eight Bolts to be Torqued to Specifications at Potential Leak Area at the Case Split

4. Install the transmission mount bracket (Fig. 3) .
5. Install the cross under exhaust pipe (if removed). Refer to the detailed service procedures
available in DealerCONNECT> Service Library under: 11 - Exhaust System / Pipe, Exhaust
Crossunder / Install.
6. Check transmission fluid level and adjust as needed. Refer to the detailed service procedures
available in DealerCONNECT> Service Library under: 21 - Transmission and Transfer Case /
Automatic - 948TE/9HP48 / Fluid and Filter / Standard Procedure> Fluid Level Check.
7. Start the vehicle and verify the transmission fluid temperature is above 50 °C (122 °F).
8. Verify the transmission fluid is not leaking at the repair area (Fig. 2) , if a leak is still detected
further diagnosis should be performed.
9. Install the belly pan (if removed). Refer to the detailed service procedures available in
DealerCONNECT> Service Library under: 13 - Frame and Bumpers/Under Body Protection/
Belly Pan/Install.
10. Install the skid plate (if removed). Refer to the detailed service procedures available in
DealerCONNECT> Service Library under: 13 - Frame and Bumpers / Under Body Protection /
Plate, Skid, Front Suspension / Install.

21-038-20

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POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.
TIME ALLOWANCE:
Labor Operation
No:

Description

Skill Category

Amount

21-00-04-9E

Fasteners, Transmission Case Torque to
Specification
(3 - Highly Skilled)

2 - Automatic
Transmission

1.4 Hrs

RELATED TIME ALLOWANCE:
Labor Operation
No:
21-00-04-65

Description

Skill Category

Amount

Skid Plate/Belly pan

0.4 Hrs

21-00-04-54

Exhaust Cross Under Pipe

2 - Automatic
Transmission
2 - Automatic
Transmission

FAILURE CODE:
ZZ

Service Action

0.3 Hrs