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1996 overdrive problem

Old Jul 3, 2014 | 08:52 PM
  #1  
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Year: 1996
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Engine: IL6
Default 1996 overdrive problem

OK. When I first got beaterjeep I thought it had 4 gears 'plus' overdrive because it seemed to have a very soft like half shift into 4th, followed by a more positive shift into what I thought was od. Now it seems to have more and more trouble shifting into high, especially when I go onto the highways. Just sorta hangs without that final upshift. Not all the time though, and it seems a little better on back roads, but not great. I'm a total newby so any sage advise from the guru's? Thanks much.
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Old Jul 4, 2014 | 02:45 AM
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4 gears plus torque converter lockup.
Is that 'final upshift' about a 300 rpm drop? If so, that's the torque converter lockup. Or are you not getting into 4'th gear?
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Old Jul 6, 2014 | 07:53 AM
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Year: 1996
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Default 1996 overdrive problem

Yeah, that drop sounds about right. It's a pretty solid drop, and I think it's the lockup. Since I've never owned a jeep before I don't know what 'normal' is. What I think is the 4th gear shift is much softer than the others...like maybe 50 rpm or so. My bigger concern is that on the highway I don't get the lock-up all the time. Around town...sometimes ok, sometimes not. Any ideas? Someone mentioned a "TV cable" adj? How's that work.
As always, thanks for any help.
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Old Jul 6, 2014 | 08:41 AM
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http://www.allpar.com/SUVs/jeep/cher...nsmission.html

Make sure your getting WOT by having someone hold the gas pedal all the way down.

Also you might want to change your fluid if you don't know the last time it was done.
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Old Jul 6, 2014 | 09:03 AM
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And do this:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/free-quick-fix-41821/
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Old Jul 7, 2014 | 08:21 PM
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Year: 1996
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Default 1996 overdrive problem

Firstly wot is "WOT"? (Sorry couldn't help it).
Secondly, I was told it had a new torque converter (he used to plow) so I'm guessing the fluid is fairly new. Still, I was thinking of replacing with Amsoil synthetic, but I gather from some posts here that might not be such a great idea?
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Old Jul 7, 2014 | 08:46 PM
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WOT is wide open throttle. Hey,nothing at all wrong with a little Jersy humor. LOL

Check the color of the fluid. You want it to look like new. What's fairly new mean? 20k-30k miles? Fluid does wear out. These AW4's are easy to maintain. Just unscrew the drain plug on the pan (when fluid is fairly hot) and add 3.75 quarts of the recommended Dex/Merc fluid.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-...Fluid/15125788
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Old Jul 9, 2014 | 04:51 PM
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Year: 1996
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Default 1996 overdrive problem

Thanks for the info. What about the Amsoil? I already bought some, but have been holding off due to some negative posts I read.
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Old Jul 9, 2014 | 05:04 PM
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Honestly don't know if there would be any advantage to using it. Maybe someone will reply whose knows something about it.
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Old Jul 9, 2014 | 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Tut
Thanks for the info. What about the Amsoil? I already bought some, but have been holding off due to some negative posts I read.
Amsoil is great stuff. Both the engine oil and trans fluid. don't worry about it.
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Old Jul 9, 2014 | 07:39 PM
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Year: 1996
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Default In my 96...

The shift to fourth is very gentle and easy to miss unless you're accelerating gently. Lock-up occurs at 42.5 mph like clockwork (unless I'm accelerating hard). I've had to freshen (R&R 3 qts) my ATF annually for the last several years. It's got 188K. Arizona heat must be hard on the tranny.
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Old Jul 14, 2014 | 07:23 PM
  #12  
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From: Northern NJ
Year: 1996
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Default 1996 overdrive problem

OK, so I did the cable adjustment. Problem is that the symptom is sporadic....works fine then fails. Seems to fail more often when I'm just into it to get up to interstate speed. Just never seems to want to make that last jump.
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