smsizemore

i have a 98 cherokee classic 4.0, auto that is in limp mode.i cant figure it out. i have been told that there is a inline fuse going to the TCU but i cant find it. i replaced the TPS and that did not fix it. any help would be great!

98CheapJeep

You need to be more specific as to what you mean by "limp mode". Back firing, jerking, total loss of power, stalling,etc.

smsizemore

it will not shift once put into drive. it goes right into 3rd. but i can put it down in 1-2 and it runs in first but will not go into 2nd. i pulled coeds off of it. miss fire, 02 sensor and a ground falt. my gauge cluster does not work properly either. i am starting to think that it is my TCM. no back fires, no clanks or anything. just sluggish and no shifting unless done manually.

Stroked99

Im willing to bet that the ground fault is causing your problems. Maybe a loose or broken wire somewhere.

Radi

You are probably stuck in 4th. That's what the trans defaults to when the solenoids aren't working.
I believe the TCU inline fuse was gone by '98, if you have one it'd be in the harness just before the TCU itself, passenger's side roughly underneath the glovebox.
Your fuse is more likely in the PDC under the hood, or perhaps the interior fuse panel. You might also check the integrity of the trans electrical connectors and harness, including the plug near the trans dipstick.

Not having 2'nd in 1-2 is normal. It'll eventually shift if you get the revs high enough, at least the older units did.

You do need a solid ground between the battery (-), engine/transmission and chassis and a quick visual inspection isn't enough. Either unbolt the connectors, clean and tighten, or check resistance loss with a DVM.

karl4x4

Here's everything you could possibly have for the 98 (the full shop manual 1724 pages) I don't think you need the parts list.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0cztwywshk..._1997-1999.pdf

It takes a little bit of getting use to but once you get the hang of it, all the information is there.

good luck.

98CheapJeep

Karl you da man!! I have been searching for that manual but kept finding only dead-end links. Thanks Alot

karl4x4

I looked high and low for the free manual and got so frustrated that I just bought it. I got all from 1997 to 2001 including part lists.

You are welcome. If anybody else downloads it, let me know. I just like knowing how many people I get to help.

smsizemore

i down loaded it, a little hard to read and understand, but the info is awesome! Thanks! i am now trying to find out what could cause my jeep to go intio limp mode so i can use that info to fix it. im trying to locate all the grounds that are conected to the TCM, too see if i have a short or a bad TCM. the one in my jeep now has around 230k on it.

Radi

Did you verify there is power to the TCU?

buckshot500

While you are looking into this, take a look under the vehicle. There is an O2 sensor at the back of the catalytic converter. It's wire harness is usually held up inside the trans tunnel by a plastic clip. if it's not held by that clip, it can fall onto the rear driveshaft yolk. Mine had done that and i just replaced the one wire that had been worn through. This permanently stopped the Check engine light.
If you do find this, there will likely be a small 15 amp fuse in the underhood fusebox that is blown.

My AW4 had also tripped that light a few times. (limp mode) Manual shift worked to drive until it cooled off again. I came to the conclusion it was probably one of the two shift solenoids. But I installed a small trans cooler and that never happened again. I never did replace the solenoids.

mudshark99

Thanks Karl. I'm new to Jeeps and need all of the service information I can get. Now if I could only find a pdf or scan of the owners manual!

smsizemore

how do i do that? im not good with the muliti meter, i have one but do not know how to use it very well.

karl4x4

Just go to my link. It's there

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0cztwywshknalk0/Jeep_Cherokee_XJ_1997-1999.pdf

mudshark99

That link is for the Shop Manual, right? Now what I'm trying to find is the Owners Manual that usually comes in the glove box.