Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

AW4 woes

Old 10-15-2015, 04:16 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Gauge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Largo, FL
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default AW4 woes

guys! How screwed am I? I was driving home and noticed it was shifting later than usual,, running up the rpms a little higher than usual... And it really didn't downshift, unless I was at a complete stop, come to think of it. then I started to smell a burning smell. And eventually when I would stop, smoke would start rolling out. I'm letting it cool down right now. Then I will check the fluid.... I'm certain it will smell burnt at this point.
Old 10-15-2015, 05:12 PM
  #2  
Moderator CF K9-unit
 
Dumajones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Alaska
Posts: 5,842
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Year: 2000 sport
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: New 4.0l from s&j engines
Default

Originally Posted by Gauge
guys! How screwed am I? I was driving home and noticed it was shifting later than usual,, running up the rpms a little higher than usual... And it really didn't downshift, unless I was at a complete stop, come to think of it. then I started to smell a burning smell. And eventually when I would stop, smoke would start rolling out. I'm letting it cool down right now. Then I will check the fluid.... I'm certain it will smell burnt at this point.
If the fluid looks bad change it, You might of ran it a little hot.

Taking forever to shift sounds like the TV(Throttle Valve) cable needing adjustment..

try this.
Old 10-15-2015, 07:18 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Gauge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Largo, FL
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Thanks! Yeah, I know about the TV adjustment. I just rebuilt he motor over a month ago and readjsuted it, then. It had been doing great, up until today. We also ran new ATF, after we installed the motor. I just hope I can resolve without it being too costly.
Old 10-15-2015, 09:02 PM
  #4  
Member
 
Doogluus88's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SC
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Default

A bad TPS can cause late/weird shifting also. Still, try the things already mentioned
Old 10-15-2015, 09:18 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
93XJeeper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,528
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Gauge
Thanks! Yeah, I know about the TV adjustment. I just rebuilt he motor over a month ago and readjsuted it, then. It had been doing great, up until today. We also ran new ATF, after we installed the motor. I just hope I can resolve without it being too costly.
ATF? You wanna Dex/merc III, not ATF.
Old 10-15-2015, 09:50 PM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
ehall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 1999 4.0L
Default

Power flush can stir up sediment from clutches, metal wear, etc., and when it starts recirculating it can get into valve body and other moving parts, make for some interesting behavior. Safer to just do a fluid change and install Magnafine or Wix inline magnetic filter on the cooler line (and add a cooler if you don't have one already).
Old 10-15-2015, 10:02 PM
  #7  
CF Veteran
 
toasterknight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

Originally Posted by 93XJeeper
ATF? You wanna Dex/merc III, not ATF.
ATF is automatic transmission fluid. ATF+4 is a type of ATF as is dex/merc 3.
Old 10-15-2015, 11:31 PM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
93XJeeper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,528
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by toasterknight
ATF is automatic transmission fluid. ATF+4 is a type of ATF as is dex/merc 3.
k, just making sure. Aw4 doesn't really like ATF +4
Old 10-17-2015, 10:45 AM
  #9  
Newbie
 
KSummers88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Arizona
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L i6
Default

Hey. So my XJ doesn't like going into park. It used to if I slammed the shifter in all the way from 1/2. It has only been acting like this for a week or so, but I've had to slam it into park since I bought it 2 years ago.
Old 10-17-2015, 07:45 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Gauge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Largo, FL
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Originally Posted by KSummers88
Hey. So my XJ doesn't like going into park. It used to if I slammed the shifter in all the way from 1/2. It has only been acting like this for a week or so, but I've had to slam it into park since I bought it 2 years ago.
Give the shifter a good downward force thump. It may reseat it and help. The rod assembly inside may be worn down. Otherwise, it might not be a bad idea to crawl undeanth and torque down the shifter assembly where it mounts to the transmission. HTH!
Old 10-17-2015, 08:17 PM
  #11  
Newbie
 
KSummers88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Arizona
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L i6
Default Thanks

Gauge,

Thanks. I'll try it tomorrow. Fought with it enough today and last night.
Old 10-18-2015, 07:58 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Gauge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Largo, FL
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

The dipstick is a little confusing... Why can't it have one side to read. On one side it's full, on the other side it reads low. I brought the jeep up to temp,, went through the gears and checked d it and this is what I get.





Old 10-18-2015, 08:35 AM
  #13  
CF Veteran
 
ehall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 1999 4.0L
Default

probably one side cold the other hot, hashed side hot, definitely low
Old 10-18-2015, 09:01 AM
  #14  
CF Veteran
 
CCKen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Canton, MI
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 0
Received 82 Likes on 67 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Gauge
The dipstick is a little confusing... Why can't it have one side to read. On one side it's full, on the other side it reads low. I brought the jeep up to temp,, went through the gears and checked d it and this is what I get.

I think what you are looking at is a dipstick ('95) that had a provision on one side to check the fluid level when the trans fluid is not fully up to operating temp, and the other side for when it is. Confusing - yes.


If you have an Owner's Manual you can read about it.


That dipstick may have a part number of 52118079 on it.


To bring the trans fluid up to "operating temp" you should drive the Jeep at least 15 miles, then check the fluid level. It should go from 'ADD' to 'Full' as the fluid expands from heat.


Mopar has superseded part number 52118079 with part number 52104146, which is for the '97-'01 AW4. It has different marking on it, and only on one side. Pic below.


These dipsticks are available aftermarket but not at the dealer.


Name:  1997_2001AW4Dipstick.jpg
Views: 241
Size:  107.3 KB
Old 10-18-2015, 01:15 PM
  #15  
CF Veteran
 
toasterknight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

That fluid looks pretty dark and could probably use a change.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: AW4 woes



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:20 PM.