notop46

Hi Fellow Jeepers,

I am trying to help my stepson out with his 2000 2WD 6 cyl. Cherokee. He was driving and noticed some sloppiness in the shifting. He stopped at work and went out to move it later and it would not go. He had it towed home until I could look at it.

It turns out that the AT fluid was black, burnt, and 3 quarts low. I brought the fluid up to the proper level, which helped some, but when it warms up, it will not propel itself in any gear even at 2000 RPM. When it cools down, it will move forwards and backwards under its own power.

Any Ideas?? I would hate to pour any more money into it if we are just going to swap it out for a junkyard tranny. if we do end up at the JY, which year models will swap in without any mods?

Thank you for any help or suggestions.

tjwalker

I'm thinking that your tranny is toast. Being 3 quarts low was probably the cause, increased heat due to lack of lubricant.

The one thing I would consider doing though just as a hail mary would be to drop the fluid in the pan, fill it with Dex/Merc III compatible and a bottle of lube-gard red (available at Napa), and see if it helps.

I'd consider swapping in a salvage yard one. I'm not sure what the application data is for this, but I would assume that 97-01 would be a direct swap.

Someone with more direct knowledge, please chime in.

notop46

Anyone else with suggestions or ideas about what year transmissions will swap over into a 2000?

djlarroc

Have you tried changing the filter and new fluid (use dex/merc 3 only)?

I have heard of a lot of times where changing the filter and fluid works. If it doesnt, you can always put the new filter in the tranny you are swapping in. But the AW4 is a pretty stout tranny. Might be all that it needs. $30 and an hour to find out.

notop46

Not yet. I wanted to check here if there was anythinge else to check out before I opened it up. It looks like I will need a tubing cutter, 1/2" hose and a couple clamps so that we can cut & re-connect the dipstick tube.

Still looking for year ranges that are a direct swap for the automatic in a 2000 2WD 6 cylinder Cherokee. Thank you for your assistance.

Coach

I've never heard of having to cut the dipstick tube? I hope someone chimes in here before you take the plunge. Coach

djlarroc

I did that job on a 98 xj 4x4 today.

No cutting dipstick required..just wiggle that sucker out of there..

1tonxj

99-01 are year ranges nothing earlier ...dipstick tube just presses into the tube comming off the atf pan on top front pass side of pan it is not a perm part of the pan or trans just presses into trans pan tube .

notop46

I had seen on previous posts where it was almost impossible to get the tube support bolt out of the firewall. They cut the tube between the bolt and the pan and the re-attached with a hose and two clamps. There is no pressure on it since it is a fill tube.

1tonxj

Diconnect battery b4 starting work ...


unplug harness from engine bay... pass side near dip stick

un clip trans throttle cable ...drver side by throttle linkage

un bolt all inspection cover bolts

remove starter

unbolt cps driver side top bell housing (crank pos sensor )move out harms way

unbolt torque converter from fly wheel 4 bolts acess through inspection cover ...need to turn crank pulley froom front of engine to turn to get each 4 bolts ...pain by self ...mark the holes used for the bolts b/c flywheel has 2 sets and is a pain to find alone if never marked when turning crank pulley alone


You will also need to unbolt exhaust before being able to reach all bolts easily including transmission lines pass side trans .

also the e14 torx bolts are kinda hard to reach ,so have about 2-2-1/2 foot extensions and lower trans on jack a few inches to reach these bolts from back of trans with extensions .

the 2 e14 torx bolts at top of trans and 1 big bolt i think 18 or 19 mm at each side of block at bellhousing are the only 4 bolts holding trans to motor unbolt these and pull trans back and drop it

I'm sure I missed some things ,but basicly unbolt/unplug anything that will hold trans in...Also install is super easy just line Torque converter up with motor the button/ big nipple looking deal on the motor side of torque converter just slides into the hole at flex plate lining it up for you then push trans in until bellhousing flush with block all bolts should line up then bolt trans up and bolt Tc to flywheel ...The install is really quick b/c you will by now be very familliar with every part and where they go how it needs to be reached ...weather you wanted 2 be or not .

notop46

1tonxj:

Thank you for the step by step on the trans removal. Sounds like the same operation I did on my 90 when I replaced the clutch last year. It would have helped to know what those two e14 torx bolts were when I started. I spent a lot of time trying to get a combination wrench and 12 point socket on them. Once I got the proper tool, they came right out.


Found the post with the detailsfor cutting the line:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/200...er-help-45456/

notop46

Fixed it!!

Thanks for all the suggestions. We drained and dropped the trans pan. We were able to wiggle the dipstick tube out after a few minutes. The pan was lined with sludge, but no shavings or chunks of components. I removed the filter and found it to be crudded up as well with sludge. Since we were not sure if the filter would fix it and did not want to clog it up with the residue that is flowing through it, I cleaned it out with WD-40, and paper towels wrapped around a folded coat hanger. After a few minutes, we could see white filter again. After hosing and wiping, we reinstalled the filter, reinstalled the clean pan, and filled it up. It ran good, and shifted reasonably well.

Next, we will drop the pan, install a neew filter, and replace the fluid a couple more times. If anyone knows for sure what AT fluid a 2000 Cherokee takes, please let me know. The dipstick has no info and the owners manual is missing.

Thank you!

tjwalker

Dex/Merc III compatible for the AW4.

Glad you got it fixed. What an example of why you need to change your tranny fluid eh?

notop46

Thank you and yes it is. I try to stress to my step son how important fluid maintenance is. I hope now he will listen.

tjwalker

You are a good dad.

Everybody has to learn.

Be sure that this vehicle has other fresh fluids in it. Coolant, oil, transfer case, differentials.

Fluids are the lifeblood of the vehicle! No more important item in maintenance than fluids.

With an 00-01, cooling system maintenance is especially important. From the factory these came with the "infamous" 0331 cylinder head, which has a casting defect between cylinders 3-4, which makes them more prone to cracking than other heads. ESPECIALLY with an overheat. Any sign of overheating, shut that puppy down and get a tow if necessary.

The #1 symptom of a cracked 0331 head is unexplained coolant loss. So your stepson needs to know that he should REGULARLY check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir. If the head does crack and you get a replacement, you should be fine. If it cracks and coolant mixes with the oil and you run it long enough, your engine is TOAST.