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.

 

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.

 

A bad TPS can cause late/weird shifting also. Still, try the things already mentioned

 

ATF? You wanna Dex/merc III, not ATF.

 

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).

 

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

 

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!

 

Gauge,

Thanks. I'll try it tomorrow. Fought with it enough today and last night.

 

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.

 

probably one side cold the other hot, hashed side hot, definitely low

 

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.

 

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