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.

1988 4.0L Auto Cherokee not shifting...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 6, 2015 | 12:20 PM
  #1  
cr1d3r's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default 1988 4.0L Auto Cherokee not shifting...

Heres a little backstory, this jeep hasn't shifted automatically since day one, we've had it about 3 or 4 years and we have just always shifted it manually to drive it. If you start out in D it starts out in really high gear, but if you shift manually it goes through all the gears really smoothly and once in D it stays in the right gear. Well today I got a wild hair and decided that I was going to try and fix it. So I did a little searching and found out how to check the TPS. With the multimeter connected to pins A and D I get 4.65v, and I read that my output on pins B and D should be 83% of my reference voltage, so 3.85 is should be what I'm shooting for on my output right? Well I adjusted it into spec and took it for a short drive and it still isn't shifting. So I checked the 7.5a trans fuse, and it was blown, so I replaced it with a 10a fuse, still does the same thing. Am I doing something wrong? Am I missing something? It's not a huge deal, but I just want to fix it... If everything is adjusted right and its still not shifting, does that mean my TCM is bad? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2015 | 12:45 PM
  #2  
Doogluus88's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: SC
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Default

Sounds like it could be bad shift solenoids. They don't go out very often, but when they do they can cause these symptoms. Some of the other guys on here have first hand experience with changing solenoids. Maybe they will chime in.

Also, don't just put a larger amperage fuse in where a smaller one should be. Using a larger fuse could potentially allow too much current to pass through the wiring and burn out or short electrical components.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2015 | 12:54 PM
  #3  
cr1d3r's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default

Well dang I was hoping it wasn't the solenoids...Ohh well haha.

I know, I didn't leave the higher amp fuse in there, it was just for testing purposes haha.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2015 | 12:58 PM
  #4  
Doogluus88's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: SC
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Default

Well if it makes you feel any better, I've heard they aren't that hard to replace. How many miles are on the jeep? Also, you should probably adjust your TV linkage (throttle valve linkage).
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2015 | 05:01 PM
  #5  
67 GMC's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 925
Likes: 5
From: Fort Erie, CANADA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

So, there's a fuse that is inline with the harness that goes to the TCU under the passenger side of the dash. Did you check that one? To me, it sounds like the TCU isn't working. The TPS adjustment won't do anything if the TCU has no power.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2015 | 06:17 PM
  #6  
Doogluus88's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: SC
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Default

Originally Posted by 67 GMC
So, there's a fuse that is inline with the harness that goes to the TCU under the passenger side of the dash. Did you check that one? To me, it sounds like the TCU isn't working. The TPS adjustment won't do anything if the TCU has no power.
^^^
Definitely worth checking into.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2015 | 09:08 AM
  #7  
cr1d3r's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default

I haven't checked that! I'll check it here in a little bit, how hard is it to find? The jeep has 195,xxx miles on it by the way.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2015 | 06:29 AM
  #8  
67 GMC's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 925
Likes: 5
From: Fort Erie, CANADA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Here's some pics of where the TCU is located (not my pic) and the harness which has a resistor and fuse. My fuse was blown when I got my Jeep. The ground wire on the dipstick stud on the engine is very important to the TCU and other sensors. I would recommend cleaning that up really when and re-attaching all the wires there (after cleaning them). Lots of tips on Cruisers sheets too.
Attached Thumbnails 1988 4.0L Auto Cherokee not shifting...-tcu.jpg   1988 4.0L Auto Cherokee not shifting...-tcu-loc.jpg  
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2015 | 08:42 AM
  #9  
cruiser54's Avatar
::CF Moderator::
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,577
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Listen to this guy^^^^^^^.
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2020 | 12:15 PM
  #10  
James Skinner's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default 89XJ

Originally Posted by cr1d3r
Heres a little backstory, this jeep hasn't shifted automatically since day one, we've had it about 3 or 4 years and we have just always shifted it manually to drive it. If you start out in D it starts out in really high gear, but if you shift manually it goes through all the gears really smoothly and once in D it stays in the right gear. Well today I got a wild hair and decided that I was going to try and fix it. So I did a little searching and found out how to check the TPS. With the multimeter connected to pins A and D I get 4.65v, and I read that my output on pins B and D should be 83% of my reference voltage, so 3.85 is should be what I'm shooting for on my output right? Well I adjusted it into spec and took it for a short drive and it still isn't shifting. So I checked the 7.5a trans fuse, and it was blown, so I replaced it with a 10a fuse, still does the same thing. Am I doing something wrong? Am I missing something? It's not a huge deal, but I just want to fix it... If everything is adjusted right and its still not shifting, does that mean my TCM is bad? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Try the fuse under the glove box passenger side should be a 10 amp fuse two yellow wires that's what fix mine had the same problem
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Batman33165
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
7
Aug 27, 2015 02:20 PM
lgrant
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
1
Aug 27, 2015 05:49 AM
XJ96Sport
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
11
Aug 24, 2015 12:58 PM
csmith237
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
Aug 24, 2015 12:54 PM
Trail-Trekker
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
0
Aug 20, 2015 06:26 PM

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



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:23 PM.