97 xj, 4.0 aw4 4wd 155k miles - mostly stock. I searched high and low for my particular issue with no luck. it is a strange issue that I believe to be caused by a solenoid (or 2). just looking to see if anyone else experienced the same issue and what it took to correct it.

when in D and sustaining travel at 30-32ish mph the trans can't decide what gear it wants to be in, 3rd or od. sometimes it will hang in between gears and just rev up. other than this issue the trans performs flawlessly and has never misbehaved.

fluid condition and level is perfect. I installed a trans cooler on it last year, but it had this issue beforehand. I haven't investigated this problem because I am aware of it and simply choose to avoid maintaining 30 mph.

anyone?

 

Try adjusting your throttle valve cable, takes a minute to do, no tools required. Worth a shot.

 

if you are referring to the kickdown? cable, I have already verified its correct function. it works as it should and at no other speed will the jeep repeat the issue.


this problem is very annoying, and above all else - i know it's not good on the trans. I was hoping someone else would say yeah man you're right - change the solonoid(s) (if I drop the pan they're all getting replaced) and you're golden.

 

have you adjusted it though?.... push the button in, pull the cable out of the housing, push the pedal to the floor and call it a day. its probably working just fine but possible the cable has stretched slightly over time, which is why they have an adjustment on it in the first place

 

It IS a throttle valve cable, not a kickdown cable FWIW. Never hurts to adjust it but probably not the issue.

Ever refreshed the "super highway" of trans communication, the 2 plugs near the trans dipstick? Photo below.

Solenoids can be tested with an ohmmeter. I'd check the 2 connectors first. Clean them up inside. I've seen some real cruddy ones. Maybe tweak the female pins a bit while you're at it.

 

Always a good idea to tweak those "pins" regularly....Works for me.

 

Seems to me if a female has pins to tweak, she might not be a she.

 

yes, it was one of the first things I did after buying the jeep. it seems to me if the cable were stretched it would be less likely to downshift.

I'll check the connections again today. I had all of this stuff apart last fall when I was repairing vent lines and such. perhaps I will inspect the tps, I haven't had it out in awhile.

thx I'll update accordingly.

 

What you are experiencing is normal. Your Jeep is operating properly.

If the hunting bothers you, as it seems it does, move the shifter to "3" until you get around 40 MPH and higher. That locks out the overdrive. Overdrive is mainly for higher speed travel. It's shifting in and out to keep from lugging your engine.

I hope this puts your mind at ease.

 

It's NOT a kickdown cable. TPS handles that.

It's a throttle valve cable. as throttle is increased, so is the line pressure in the trans.

 

the action is not normal, I shouldn't have to move the shifter at all once in D simply to get the jeep to function correctly.

I have addressed said cable, I'm fairly certain it's not the issue.

 

Whats ur tire size and gear ratio?

 

The next stop is the bank, then. After that, the transmission shop or Jeep dealer.

 

225/75/15 and 355


I just went out to the garage and pulled connections apart and re-adjusted the THROTTLE VALVE cable. nothing stuck out or looked odd.


i'll pull the tps and see if maybe it's gunked up or something. stuff like this irritates the **** out of me. I spend a lot of time making sure this thing performs exactly as it should, despite its age.

 

Fluid pressure, pump, valve body, bands, torque converter. Any could be a culprit. I've had transmissions fail long before your mileage.

I re-read your first post. Hanging and revving freely between gears is definitely not normal. Hunting around a shift point can and does happen under light throttle under certain conditions.