Ok, here's what went down. I rebuilt my 4.0 inline in my 96 xj, and before the (automatic) transmission worked fine, after I put the new motor in; paying special attention to putting the flywheel into the bell housing and inspecting the torque converter. After driving it for a day I realized it didn't seem to downshift if I came to a stop, or when going slow up my hill towards my driveway. It eventually went away for a week and then it started again and this time all the time. If I manually put it down into 1st, it would work. I replaced the transmission filter screen, and all the fluid. It now doesnt do it all the time but occassionally (about 2 times on a moderately long drive). I tried adjusting the cord from the transmission to the intake manifold. Just wanted to see if anyone else was having this problem, and if they fixed it. Thanks, and please reply. It just bugs the poop outta me.

 

Mine is leaking tranny fluid and seems to do that when it gets low. I also just had new motor put in. I'm fighting with it myself.

 

did you adjust the kick down cable?

 

i have a 89 cherokee and i put in a 98 grand cherokee 4.0 and mine is doing the exact same thing. It shifts fine 1st through overdrive. just refuses to downshift. im taking it in tomorrow to the trans shop to have em check it out.

 

did anyone figure this out? I am having the same problem in my '91. cgarcia, what did the shop say?

thanks,
Jim

 

There is a small spring under the tranny that pulls back a tranny lever after desaccelaration,it might be over stretched

 

I'm the one that originally posted this,just decided to give an update. It still did this problem a month after I posted, then the problem slowly faded away. I guess the kickback cable did something. Now it doesn't do it at all. From what I've read from the other posts, people putting in a new or rebuilt motor into their jeeps have this problem. I wish I knew a real answer but I'm still baffled.