I recently purchased a stock ‘95 XJ AW4 4.0 4x4 with 80k miles. While driving in the mountains I’m noticing I have no 2nd gear for descents. D to 3 is fine. When I shift into 1-2, it will only go to first gear regardless of speed. I’ve done some testing- Accelerating from a stop in 3, I get all three gears. Accelerating from a stop in 1-2, it stays in first, never shifts to second even at very high rpm. I readjusted the TPS, checked resistance of the solenoids at both the TCU and connector and getting 11~14ohms. Removed the TCU fuse and did the drive test. Works as it should. No visible wire damage that I can find. Wondering if anyone has any ideas on this before I take it to a trans shop. Thanks.

 

When in 1-2 you should get 2nd gear at about 40 MPH which is around 5K RPM. As you are getting all gears when driving normally your solenoids are working as they should.

 

Wow, went to try that. Thought it was going to explode but damn...it shifted around 40. Thanks!!! Would be nice to figure out how to lower the shift point and/or how to better use 2nd gear for mid-speed engine braking but I’m glad it’s working. Thanks again.

 

Not that I do it often but the engine sound at 4-5k is sweet just before it changes into 2nd.

I think the only thing you could do to get a lower shift into 2nd would be to wire in your own switch which can manually turn on solenoid #2 to force 2nd gear when the TCM is requesting 1st. I believe there are kits out there to do this but I wouldn't even know the sort of websites to look on myself.

 

Thanks. A shift kit sounds interesting but trying to keep this think pretty close to stock.

 

https://nickintimedesign.com/product...fter-jr-v1-96/

Basically turns an auto into a manual without a third pedal from what I've been told by the creator. I also know without a shadow of doubt that if the installation didn't go well if you contacted Nick he would help you.

 

Hmm, that looks interesting. Will definitely check that out. Thanks.

 

I knew someone would have a link to a kit.

Plug and play so could be removed without a trace, as long as you don't drill any holes for mouting bits of it.

 

I don't have that module from nickintime, but I have the REM module from him that reads out the ECU data so you can see it while driving. I really like it.