My 99' Cherokee has had a delayed shift from first to second gear since I have owned it. If I shift it into drive and take off the delay is about two to three seconds but if I shift it into 3 and take off the delay is not near as long. Today I shimmed the primary regulator valve spring to get the line pressure back up but it didn't seem to change anything. Why would it shift better with the shifter in 3 instead of drive?

 

Anybody?

 

Your trans is electronically controlled shifting. Could be many things. TPS-TCM- solenoids. Use the search and see what urs does compared to the posts. The late shifts given that all is well with the trans -fluid ( right level, smell and color -filter anything else its probably an electronic issue.

 

3 may give different shift points than D.

Shifting from 1st(S1 ON) to 2nd electronically turns S2 ON. Shifting from 2 to 3 turns S1 OFF and 3 to 4th (OD) turns S2 off (both S1 and S2 are off). The torque converter lockup is switched on/off by S3.

 

How's your fluid level?
When's the last time the filter was changed?
Low fluid or clogged filters cause delays as well.

 

I have already changed the fluid and filter. I ohmed out all the shift solenoids and everything seemed to be fine with them. The torque convertor isn't locking up but I didn't think it would effect 1-2 shifts.

 

Torque converter not locking up should point to a brake switch malfunction.

 

But would the torque convertor not locking cause the delayed shift from 1-2?

 

Probably not, but who knows how the TCU reacts to a signal that the brakes are applied. You could have more than one problem.

 

Whats the best way to test the brake switch?