42RLE Port Plug Popped Out

dlm1450

dlm1450

My check-engine light is on.
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Wilton, CT
After installing my new BestBuy 42RLE in my 2004 LJ 4.0, it began leaking as soon as I put it in gear. It is leaking from a port at the top rear of the passenger side. Photos I took after receiving the BestBuy 42RLE show this port was plugged before installation. The plug has popped out.

1. What the hell is this port for?
2. Has anyone seen anything like this before?
3. Is there a quick fix for this? (I have no idea where the plug went)


New Best Buy Transmission with plug.jpg
 
was it a red plastic cap like the others? one would think that it would be some kind of a sealed plug if trans. fluid can leak from there.
 
I’d send the company the pic and ask them about it. It looks like one of those red plugs that has been painted over.

Im not real familiar with that, but I wonder if it’s supposed to be threaded for a bolt or sensor or something like that.
 
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I’m going to tag @Jamison C in your thread. He recently swapped his manual for a 42RLE and may have some insight into what goes there.
 
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I found a parts diagram for the 42RLE and it shows the plug. Looks like a permanent, factory installed plug. It doesn't look like vehicles uses it for anything and it definitely shouldn't have popped out.

My main concern is how I can properly plug it at this point. Its not a threaded hole. I'm guessing the plug was press fit at the factory.

I contacted BestBuy Transmission on Friday after noon. Their response:

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Yikes! We're sorry this happened, David. We'll get these photos over to our support technicians right away, so they can assist.

The BestBuy Team!
How Can We Help You?
Support | CLICK HERE
Business Hours: 9am-5pm | Mon-Fri. | EST.
www.BestBuyTransmission.com
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

I haven't heard from them since and they don't answer the phone.



42RLE Parts Diagram.jpg
 
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It's good they replied right away. It looks like their hours are 9-5 M-F and if you contacted them Friday afternoon they may have just not had enough time for a better response. I hope they have an easy fix for you.
 
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MountaineerTom said:
I’m going to tag @Jamison C in your thread. He recently swapped his manual for a 42RLE and may have some insight into what goes there.
Click to expand...
My guess is it’s a port intended for different models. The liberty also used this transmission. Maybe even some Mitsubishi models. Cheaper to cast the same core for millions of models and just use a plug.
 
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My sad saga continues. BestBuy Transmission is NOT impressing me. Their service department WILL NOT answer the phone or return my calls. I filed a service request on their website and received a bunch of 1 line emails asking me for more pics. Thus far, I'd say DO NOT deal with BestBuy Transmission.

I've already ordered a replacement plug. At this point, I just want them to acknowledge how much they suck.
 
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It's a holiday weekend, give them a minute and stop sending them messages every few minutes. I don't remember reading about 24 hour personal service, let them make good. A week is reasonable, counting in hours is not.
 
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pagrey said:
It's a holiday weekend, give them a minute and stop sending them messages every few minutes. I don't remember reading about 24 hour personal service, let them make good. A week is reasonable, counting in hours is not.
Click to expand...

You are a very patient person.
 
Finally got BestBuy Transmission to call me back. I will summarize below:

Their assessment: "Oh yeah, looks like that plug popped out."
Their solution: "You should plug that."
My response: "With what?"
Them: "Maybe go to O'Reilly's and get a freeze plug."
Me: "What size should I look for?"
Them: "They have kits, just keep trying different ones."

I'm probably being petty, but, that's the best they could do??
 
Sounds like they aren’t overly helpful, which sucks.

How is the plug held in? I can’t tell from pictures. Since they mentioned a freeze plug, I’m guessing it’s press fit in.
 
dlm1450 said:
Finally got BestBuy Transmission to call me back. I will summarize below:

Their assessment: "Oh yeah, looks like that plug popped out."
Their solution: "You should plug that."
My response: "With what?"
Them: "Maybe go to O'Reilly's and get a freeze plug."
Me: "What size should I look for?"
Them: "They have kits, just keep trying different ones."

I'm probably being petty, but, that's the best they could do??
Click to expand...

do they have a warranty ? i'd box that fucker up and ship it back ASAP. and if they don't refund your money call your credit card company.....no your not being petty, if they don't have the decency to atleast drop you a new plug in the mail imagine what they will do when your trans. shits the bed in a few months
 
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MountaineerTom said:
Sounds like they aren’t overly helpful, which sucks.

How is the plug held in? I can’t tell from pictures. Since they mentioned a freeze plug, I’m guessing it’s press fit in.
Click to expand...

Definitely no threads in the hole. The Best Buy service tech said to tap the freeze plug in with a hammer. The Mopar OEM plug I ordered is arriving today. I'll let ya know how it goes. The online photo shows some kind of green substance applied to it. Maybe some kind of adhesive? Like a Loctite of sorts?

I can't find any mention of this part in the 2004 Factory Service Manual or the 2004 Factory Parts List Manual. I guess I'll just get my brass hammer and give it a little tappa-tappa till it's snug.

Mopar 4567312 Transmission Plug.JPG
 
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tr21triton said:
do they have a warranty ? i'd box that fucker up and ship it back ASAP. and if they don't refund your money call your credit card company.....no your not being petty, if they don't have the decency to atleast drop you a new plug in the mail imagine what they will do when your trans. shits the bed in a few months
Click to expand...

They do have a warranty. And I completely agree they should do SOMETHING. However, summer is here and my "To do" list is gigantic and growing (thank you, married life). I just don't have the time to pull the silly thing out and start over. I have an email record of everything. If it shits the bed in a few months, or even years, I'll force them to make good on it.
 
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