Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

1991 manual cherokee will not go into gear

Old 02-21-2012, 07:33 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
alex1991's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Angry 1991 manual cherokee will not go into gear

i noticed the clutch feeling less responsive the other day - not as much resistance. my driveway is steep and i park the jeep nose-uphill. it was hard to shift unless the car was moving, and very hard to get into first gear. now it will not go into gear at all. because of the steep incline, i am wondering if i will be able to get a good read on the transmission level.

any ideas? should i get it towed to the shop?
Old 02-21-2012, 07:59 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
 
Eugene Jeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L6
Default

I'm guessing its your slave cylinder not fully disengaging your clutch. Mine did almost the same thing.
Old 02-21-2012, 09:08 PM
  #3  
Newbie
 
jimbosxj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: San Fernando Valley,Ca
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990/1994/19999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

First off the incline has nothing to do with how the clutch works next look and see where the level in your brake fluid resorvior is if it's low two things if the brakes fell good you have a leak at the slave or the line running to it. Other options the prussure plate springs are given or gave out can you put the trans in gear withiut the mototr running that tell's you the tranny is fine the fluid should be ok and it's time for a clutch not a hard job but do to the incline would not attempt
Old 02-21-2012, 09:14 PM
  #4  
Seasoned Member
 
LaredoBucket's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Default

Originally Posted by jimbosxj
First off the incline has nothing to do with how the clutch works next look and see where the level in your brake fluid resorvior is if it's low two things if the brakes fell good you have a leak at the slave or the line running to it. Other options the prussure plate springs are given or gave out can you put the trans in gear withiut the mototr running that tell's you the tranny is fine the fluid should be ok and it's time for a clutch not a hard job but do to the incline would not attempt
Yep! what they both said...
Old 02-21-2012, 09:14 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
crbnfibr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: albany, new york
Posts: 3,237
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: i6
Default

sounds like the master cylinder... easy fix, i got mine at napa, like $70, wear safety glasses

Last edited by crbnfibr; 02-21-2012 at 09:19 PM.
Old 02-21-2012, 09:32 PM
  #6  
Seasoned Member
 
timberwolf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

new master cylinder fixed it in both my 91 and 96
Old 02-21-2012, 09:39 PM
  #7  
Newbie
 
sakuljw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Seattle, Wa
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Default

Did u check the clutch fluid level? When you're out of fluid you can't put the trans in gear like you described. My slave cylinder leaks fluid and if I hold the clutch pedal in on my jeep at a light I notice right away that the pedal gets spongy and its hard to shift but returns if I pump the pedal a few times, and as long as you don't have a bad leak you have quite a bit of warning before the level gets too low
Old 02-21-2012, 09:40 PM
  #8  
Newbie
 
DirtyWhiteBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Byrdstown Tennessee
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Master cylinder if ur lucky, but it was caused by the slave cylinder on my neighbors 87. Her slave is on the input shaft of the trans, so I changed the disk and p.p. while it was apart. Some of the slave cylinders are external of the transmission - that makes it a lot cheaper fix.
Old 02-21-2012, 09:43 PM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
crbnfibr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: albany, new york
Posts: 3,237
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: i6
Default

my level never even got low, the seals inside failed and caused bypass, thus no pressure...
Old 02-22-2012, 11:33 AM
  #10  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
alex1991's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default 1991 manual cherokee not going into gear

thanks for all the quick responses. i did also mean to mention that yes, i can shift through all the gears when the engine is off, but not when its started, so i suppose the transmission is fine. the incline its parked on is probably about 15 degrees - what would be the issue with trying to work on the clutch at this incline? i also think it may pose a problem for checking fluid levels.

any other help would be great,

thanks,

-alex
Old 02-22-2012, 12:32 PM
  #11  
CF Veteran
 
hankthetank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by jimbosxj
First off the incline has nothing to do with how the clutch works
correct
Originally Posted by jimbosxj
next look and see where the level in your brake fluid resorvior is if it's low two things if the brakes fell good you have a leak at the slave or the line running to it.
WHAT???? Brakes have nothing to do with the clutch hydraulics. WTF?

just check your clutch fluid, then check the fittings and hose back to where it enters the bellhousing. If nothing is leaking between the two, and you can see that the bellhousing has oil dripping out the bottom, you MAY have a slave leak. ( i've done this twice) If its dry under there, you MAY need a new pp and clutch (done this once). Or you need a master. Check the inside of the firewall where it comes in and look for a leak. Or its bypassing internally, (deadhead the line and check).

Last edited by hankthetank; 02-22-2012 at 12:36 PM.
Old 02-25-2012, 06:03 PM
  #12  
Newbie
 
Redbull662's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Campbell, CA
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 H.O. 6 Cyl
Default

I had all the same symptoms two weeks ago. Dropped the tranny, replaced the concentric slave and did a clutch job... I knew it was the slave because of how different it felt when my master went out during the summer. The rig runs like a dream now. Good luck.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Wybuck
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
17
01-30-2024 08:59 AM
Blackcherokee290
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
27
07-26-2022 07:52 PM
lohi
Introductions
5
09-04-2015 02:12 PM
rusty_bucket
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
3
08-29-2015 06:42 AM
zhunt728
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
0
08-20-2015 12:37 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: 1991 manual cherokee will not go into gear



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:43 AM.