The belt tension suggestions are spot on. In the end it took much more tension than I would have suspected. I didn't have the tool and kept tightening a couple of turns at a time on the adjuster until the squeal was gone. Be sure to engage the AC to make sure the squeal is gone as it was what made mine squeal the most with the new belt, until tensioned enough.

The 4 wheel drive engagement seems unlikely to have have stirred sludge or brought the symptoms forward since the transfer case and the transmission don't share a common fluid passage and are separate cases.

I dropped my transmission pan for the fluid change and it turned into quite the undertaking. The dipstick is a 2 piece tube and often rusts/fuses together. This turned a simple job into a several hour heartache for me. I even have a lift and wasn't crawling under it in the driveway. It made a serious improvement it the shifting and general running on my 2001. After I saw how not-complex the filter was in design and that I had no debris caught on the screen at 154K miles, I regretted the time spent on the pan drop and wished I had just drained and filled a few times. even with the pan drop you still need to drain and fill a couple of times because a significant amount of the system's fluid is retained in the torque converter and doesn't drain out. Basically you are diluting the trapped fluid until you have a mostly fresh mix in the whole system.

As for other problems that could be with the transmission, a good physical inspection is in order. Is it low on fluid currently or does the fluid look dark or smell burnt or funky in some way? Does it have a leak that needs addressed to cause a low fluid condition? Inspect wires and plumbing to and from the transmission and look for someone else's hack work. My experience on used vehicles is I often can find repairs needed that center around the previous owner or other's attempts at repairs and especially modifications. If it doesn't look stock, suspect it as needing a more in depth review.

Don't let the first issue scare you. These trucks are pretty tough, relatively simple in their design and this forum is a God send and wealth of information on "How To" and advice when you are stuck.

If you are mechanically inclined and can do most of your own wrenching, comparatively I have found my Cherokee to be less expensive for parts than anything else in my 13 vehicle personal fleet. Rockauto is a good source of inexpensive parts and the chain stores seem to stock all the basic wear/replacement items because it has been a long produced and popular vehicle.

Hold in there and with a little TLC, it should make a safe and reliable vehicle for your family.

 

Thanks for all the replies!

As far as the belt goes, I was able to tighten it, and not only did the squeals completely go away, the check engine light stayed cleared for almost two hours of driving. But then it came back. Same codes. P0700 and p0740. In am effort to get this jeep on the road quickly and safely, I have dropped it off at a transmission shop that my family has had good experiences with.

I have noticed that when I shift from reverse to drive, it is like it doesn't engage right away. But then it engages and drives just fine.

 

The repairs at the inspection shop were for right front u joint was broken, a broken stud on a wheel, adjusted transmission linkage to fix reverse lights, and wheel alignment.

 

I was in the same boat as you a few months ago. I purchased a 1998 Cherokee sport and had the dreaded p0740 and p0700 codes came up.


To fix this issue

I ordered a new set of shift solenoids from Ebay, I think I paid around 100 bucks for all three.

I bought a gasket and filter kit from my local NAPA for the transmission along with copious amounts of transmission fluid.

Replacing the shift solenoid for the overdrive lockup was my original plan but since I was able to get all three so cheaply I replaced them all. I drained the fluid and replaced the transmission filter with a new one from the kit.

also check all of your transmission cooler lines I had some that were leaking and had to replace them. It seems that little drip from the quick connects was enough to lower the level of the tranny fluid enough to set off the code.

 

Did you have similar symptoms as me with it slow going into gear? (Just to begin with)

 

Yes, my symptoms were the same.

After I replaced the solenoids, fluid/filter, and fixed the cooler line leak my shifting was much much better.


About a week later the p0740 code came back and I was slamming my head against the wall trying to figure this out.

I finally adjusted my TV cable and bingo, no more p0740.

 

TV cable??

 

Throttle Valve cable, or kickdown cable.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f5/kic...ustment-95421/

 

Whenever I purchase a used vehicle the first order of business is to replace all fluids (trans, TC, diffs, antifreeze, brake fluid) and grease all zerks...The slow shifting can be sticking valves within the trans valve body... Often times a nice fluid change or two on it helps tremendously...

 

So the transmission shop called and told me the fluid smells burnt and is brown and they are going to drop the pan but it looks like I may need a new transmission for $2700. This is not really an option for me right now! Did I get scammed by the seller?? The fluid was red when i bought it last week! How can I need a new transmission if it goes down the road just fine??

 

Sounds like time for a new shop.

If it shifts, it shifts.

Used a seemingly great shop for a while for the lady's VW, then they quoted me $750 for new plugs & trans fluid LOL. Called another shop for under half that plus 10% new customer services and away we went! Never be afraid to dump a shop you think is a scam. There are unfortunately tons of idiots in the world.

 

So apparently there is metal shavings in the Pan, he still wanted to sell me a new transmission, but i have asked him to price it out for just the torque converter. Any opinions?

 

I wouldn't spend $3000 on a transmission on a $3000 vehicle.

 

well I can't return it. I just need it to work!

 

So now apparently they found a piece of a spring on one of the magnets, and the pan is coated in sludge. He advises against any repair other than a complete new transmission. for $2700