89 XJ Shifting problems?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Phoenix,Arizona
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
89 XJ Shifting problems?
okay i have an 89 jeep cherokee xj and it has some shifting problems.
In automatic it shifts normal but when i put it in 1-2 gear it will not shift out of first. it just revs higher and higher til i have to shift up to 3rd.
any help would be appreciated
In automatic it shifts normal but when i put it in 1-2 gear it will not shift out of first. it just revs higher and higher til i have to shift up to 3rd.
any help would be appreciated
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Phoenix,Arizona
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
#4
CF Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 5,302
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes
on
16 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Manual gear change doesn't use the solenoids (you can operate the trans manually with the electronics disconnected) and staying in 1'st in 1-2 is normal. It'll shift when you get uncomfortably close to redline.
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Phoenix,Arizona
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
why would it do that? shouldn't it shift normaly from 1-2 just like it would do in automatic?
#6
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,862
Received 1,523 Likes
on
1,235 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Nope. There's nothing wrong with your Jeep in the trans department. If you select 1-2 and then drive away, it will shift into 2 at a predetermined high RPM. If you shift from 3 to 1-2 on decel, it will shift to 2, and then at a certain point drop to 1, putting your nose into the dashboard.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Phoenix,Arizona
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Nope. There's nothing wrong with your Jeep in the trans department. If you select 1-2 and then drive away, it will shift into 2 at a predetermined high RPM. If you shift from 3 to 1-2 on decel, it will shift to 2, and then at a certain point drop to 1, putting your nose into the dashboard.
Trending Topics
#8
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,862
Received 1,523 Likes
on
1,235 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Phoenix,Arizona
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
#10
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,862
Received 1,523 Likes
on
1,235 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Look at this one and see if you think it could contribute to your problem.
Renix Ground Refreshing
The Renix era XJs and MJs were built with an under-engineered grounding system for the engine/transmission electronics. One problem in particular involves the multiple ground connection at the engine dipstick tube stud. A poor ground here can cause a multitude of driveabililty issues, wasted time, failed emission tests, and wasted money replacing components unnecessarily.
The components grounding at the dipstick tube stud are:
Distributor Sync Sensor, TCU main ground, TCU "Shift Point Logic", Ignition control Module, Injectors, ECU main ground which other engine sensors ground through, Oxygen sensor, Knock Sensor, Cruise Control, and Transmission Sync signal. All extremely important stuff.
The factory was aware of the issues with this ground point and addressed it by suggesting the following:
Remove the nut holding the wire terminals to the stud. Verify that the stud is indeed tightened securely into the block. Scrape any and all paint from the stud’s mounting surface where the wires will attach. Must be clean, shiny and free of any oil, grease, or paint.
Inspect the wire terminals. Check to see that none of the terminals are crimped over wire insulation instead of bare wire. Be sure the crimps are tight. It wouldn’t hurt to re-crimp them just as a matter of course. Sand and polish the wire terminals until clean and shiny on both sides. Reinstall all the wires to the stud and tighten the nut down securely.
While you’re in that general area, locate the battery negative cable which is fastened to the engine block just forward of the dipstick stud. Remove the bolt, scrape the block to bare metal, clean and polish the cable terminal, and reattach securely.
Another area where the grounding system on Renix era Jeeps was lacking is the engine to chassis ground. There is a braided cable from the back of the cylinder head that also attaches to the driver’s side of the firewall. This cable is undersized for it’s intended use and subject to corrosion and poor connections at each end.
First off, remove the cable end from the firewall using a 15mm wrench or socket. Scrape the paint off down to bare metal and clean the wire terminal. Reattach securely.
Remove the other end of the cable from the rear of the head using a 3’4" socket. Clean all the oil, paint and crud from the stud. Clean the wire terminal of the cable and reattach securely.
A suggestion regarding the braided cable:
I prefer to add a #4 Gauge cable from the firewall to a bolt on the rear of the intake manifold, either to a heat shield bolt or fuel rail bolt. A cable about 18" long with a 3/8" lug on each end works great and you can get one at any parts store already made up. Napa has them as part number 781116.
A further improvement to the grounding system can be made using a #4 cable, about 10" long with 3/8" terminals at each end. Attach one end of this cable to the negative battery bolt and the other end under the closest 10mm headed bolt on the radiator support just forward of the battery. Napa part number 781115.
For those of us with Comanches, it’s very important to remove the driver’s side taillamp assembly to access the ground for the fuel pump. Remove the screw holding the black ground wire. Scrape the paint from the body and corrosion from the wire terminal. Reattach securely.
If you want to upgrade your grounds and battery cables in general, contact Jon at www.kelleyswip.com. He makes an incredible cable upgrade for a very reasonable price.
Revised 03-04-2013
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Psiegrist1
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
34
03-17-2022 02:15 PM
NM-XJ
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
18
10-23-2018 04:21 PM
aroundincircles
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
5
10-06-2015 11:12 AM
Programbo
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
21
09-26-2015 11:32 AM
Vegas101
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
0
09-04-2015 11:52 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)