Description

Chrysler Grand Cherokee, 45RFE, Ram Pick-up 1999 Service Manual – Factory Specs for the 45RFE

You have a 45RFE on the bench that came out of a 1999 Grand Cherokee with a 4.7L, or maybe a customer rolled in with a 2000 Ram Pick-up that’s slipping in 3rd. The first thing you reach for isn’t a generic guide that guesses at torque values. You need the original OEM data. That’s exactly what this 112-page Chrysler Grand Cherokee, 45RFE, Ram Pick-up 1999 Service Manual delivers – printed by ATSG in 1999, the same year Chrysler introduced this fully electronic rear-wheel-drive transmission.

Page 4 gives you the clutch application chart. That table shows exactly which clutches are on in each selector position – including the low/reverse, underdrive, second, overdrive, and fourth clutches. Without that chart you’re guessing which friction disc is dragging. Page 11 has the case connector and TCM pin cavity identification. When a solenoid circuit goes dead, you map the pins against that diagram, not some aftermarket redraw that swapped pin 7 and pin 9. Wiring in this manual is factory original, not a scanner screenshot.

Clutch Application Chart and Solenoid On/Off Chart

The index lists both charts right at the front. Clutch application shows you what holds in reverse, what releases in 4th. The solenoid on/off chart tells you which of the six solenoids should be energized for each gear. If you’re chasing a 2-3 shift flare, you verify the second clutch solenoid is off and the OD clutch solenoid is on at the right time. That’s page 5. Manuals that skip this table force you to back-probe every wire – I’ve seen guys spend two hours tracing a stuck shift because they didn’t have this data.

Four forward speeds, relative torque rating of 5, fully electronic. That’s what 45RFE stands for. The introduction on page 2 spells it out: 4 = four speeds, 5 = torque capacity, R = rear wheel drive, FE = fully electronic. This isn’t a reprint from a third party. It’s the original ATSG technical booklet published in 1999, the same year the transmission hit the market.

Wiring Schematics: Factory TCM Pin Assignments

You don’t get a generic wiring diagram that tries to cover three different transmissions. The case connector and TCM pin cavity identification on page 11 is specific to the 45RFE. That page lists every cavity – which one feeds the pressure control solenoid, which one is the transmission fluid temperature sensor, which ones are the shift solenoids. Pair that with the wiring schematic (listed as “WIRING SCH” in the index) and you can isolate a short without pulling the harness. Using a multimeter against factory data is reliable. Guessing which wire does what leads to backfeeding modules and frying a TCM.

7 Key Sections for Transmission Diagnostics

Beyond the charts and wiring, the manual covers the entire hydraulic and electronic control system. Sections include the clutch application chart (page 4), solenoid on/off chart (page 5), case connector and TCM pin cavity identification (page 11), and the wiring schematics. That’s four critical sections for diagnostics alone. Add the front pump, valve body, and planetary gearset specs that are referenced throughout – though this booklet is focused on the electronic controls. For a full rebuild you’ll want the Chrysler factory service manual, but for solenoid testing, pressure checks, and wiring repair this is the one you keep under the bench.

Does This Manual Cover the 2000 Ram Pick-up?

Yes. The introduction on page 2 states the 45RFE is scheduled for the Ram Pick-up for the 2000 model year. The 1999 manual covers the design that was introduced on the Grand Cherokee with the 4.7L and applies to the Ram as well. Chrysler used the same transmission in both vehicles. If you’re working on a 2000 Ram, the clutch charts, solenoid tables, and pin assignments are exactly what you need. No separate supplement required – it’s all here.

One thing I’ve seen guys miss: the low/reverse clutch is on only when the output shaft speed is below a threshold. That’s noted in the clutch application chart footer. If you skip that note you’ll think the L/R clutch should be on in park when it’s actually off above a certain rpm. The manual catches that detail. Aftermarket documents often truncate footnotes.

Get the Right Torque Specs – Source Validity

This manual is not a reprint. It is an original ATSG technical service bulletin from 1999. ATSG (Automatic Transmission Service Group) is a recognized source for factory-authorized transmission data. The cover lists technical consultants including Dale England and Ed Kruse – these are transmission specialists, not generic editors. The copyright line says “Copyright © ATSG 1999.” You’re not getting a photocopy of a photocopy. The 112 pages are scans of the original booklet. Every torque value, every solenoid resistance spec, every pin assignment comes from Chrysler’s engineering data, not a third-party guess. For related transmissions, the Chrysler 42RE Transmission Technical Manual and the Chrysler Grand Cherokee 1998 Parts Catalog – OEM Factory Specs give you parts and mechanical data. If you need the Chrysler Stealth manual, check the Chrysler Stealth 1993 Service Manual – 1286 Pages Factory OEM.

Understanding the difference between an automatic and a Manual Transmission helps when explaining shift feel to a customer – but with the 45RFE you’re all electronic. For broader background on transmission types, refer to Manual Transmission fundamentals.

Does this manual include wiring diagrams?

Yes, the Wiring Schematics section covers TCM pin assignments and solenoid circuits.

What years does the manual cover?

It covers the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.7L engine and the 2000 Ram Pick-up. The 45RFE transmission was introduced in 1999.

Can I use this manual for a 2001 Grand Cherokee?

No, this manual is specifically for the 1999 model year. Later years may have revisions to the valve body or TCM calibration. However, the clutch and solenoid charts are mechanically similar, but you should verify against a 2001-specific manual to avoid mismatched pinouts.

Is this manual a reprint or an original?

This is an original ATSG publication from 1999, not a third-party reprint.

You’ve got a transmission to diagnose. Stop wasting time with generic write-ups that leave out the solenoid table or fudge the pin numbers. The factory data is here – 112 pages of the real deal. Access the Factory Manual and get back to turning wrenches.