i have a 1998 jeep cherokee xj and when u put it in drive it takes off supper slow and wont shift. if u pull the shifter down to low and manually shift it it takes off ok and shifts. its like the thing is stuck in overdrive. when u stop after manually shifting and take off again it still wont go unless u shift to low gear.

 

Check the level and condition of the fluid.

And this.

 

This would be the shift solenoids. 3 of them. Replace.

 

They are a possibility, but replacing parts should be the last thing on the list.

 

It's a pretty short list.

 

It's most likely the TCU given the description of the OP.

The solenoids are working if it shifts manually.

 

My 98 xj wasn't shifting down, and it was the solenoids. You could manually up and downshift. Shifted like a champ and has ever since they were replaced.

 

So, all 3 solenoids went bad at the same time?

The solenoids are what shifts it. Should go 1 to 3 and then OD when shifted manually. If a solenoid is bad, it shouldn't select a gear.

 

I don't recall which one it was, but if you go in it makes more sense to replace them all. (especially when you can g et them on fleabay for the price of 1). My son was driving it at the time.
On my zj I still have the original tc or overdrive solenoid , just spray cleaned the screen. That also worked on the pressure sensor, but I upgraded to the borg warner anyway.
Of course changing the filter and as much fluid as possible will always help too.