My 98 Cherokee Sport 4x4 4.0 will only shift smoothly and drive great if I drive it like a manual when its hot. When started cold the auto Drive works fine but only briefly. It has 155,000 miles on it and I LOVE IT however the tranny shop told me that there is metal in the oil, solenoid problems and that I need a new $2500 tranny! It drives great if I manually shift and my friend told me that changing the fluid may straighten out the problem. Is this advisable and do I need to drop the pan, flush and change the filter as well or can that aggravate the problem? Or should I find a shop that sucks and fills through the dip stick hole? I am not a mechanic, I'm a musician and I need this Jeep to work. Please advise of anyone in the Brooklyn NY 11220 area that I can trust. Thanks

 

Are you getting any codes for the trans ? and you should do about 2 drain and fill on the trans to get the fluid clean .

 

I would need to go back to the transmission shop to get the codes but he did mention solenoid problems and probably the harness. Do I need to drop the pan and change the filter as well or suck and fill the fluid through the dip stick hole? Please see my original post. Thanks

 

If your just doing a fluid change your trans pan has a drain plug just like the oil pan on your motor. A little less than 4qts of DEX/MERC will drain out.

 

Whatever you do don't do a full flush. Just drop the pan and do a fluid and filter change and see what happens.

 

Can anyone recommend a shop in Brooklyn or Staten Island NY.that I can trust?

 

By all means change the 3 things in the tranny, a pressure sensor and 2 solenoids I think. All 3 on ebay for <$100. New Dex Merc 3 fluid and a filter also. Easy job just watch some youtubes and take your time even so its under 2 hours.
I called a tranny shop when this was acting up, and was told I too needed a rebuild to the tune of $3,000.
The fix was instant and that was 4 years ago.

 

Id stick with Dex/Merc 3 and skip the ATF+4, regardless of what Chryslers TSB might say (the AW4 is not a Chrysler trans btw, its Toyota). But thats just me.

This is stuff you want, IIRC.

 

Yes use DEX/MERC transmission fluid , do not use atf+4 it is not for jeep cherokee . The trans fluid above is a good one to use .

 

I asked for the fluid/filter change and three shops recommended that I would be better off continuing to driving the Jeep like a manual because dropping the pan can cause more trouble than It has now, unless I am willing to repair or replace the tranny if necessary.
One mechanic also told me that if I do change the fluid and filter to only use what is specified by the manufacturer.
I am inclined to believe you guys and take a chance with the Dex/Merc/filter change. I would feel comfortable knowing of a shop near me that I can trust to do the right thing if anyone knows of one.