general confussion was the op it also says the tps could be the prob

 

Thank you all for your suggestions, I appreciate it.

I did change the trans fluid and filter and the issue remains.

I can shift manually from 1-2 to 3 then D and it drives like a champ that way, no power loss apparent.

Freedgr: I did take a look at the box under the dash to ensure it was plugged in all the way. This may be my problem as on the side with the tab (towards driver door) has sorta distorted over time and possibly isn't staying clipped and not making a good connection? Funny that one day it worked fine, next not.

I'll have a buddy shift through the gears in the driveway and I'll watch the the linkages and see if everything is working tomorrow.

 

read the post yet

 

So I stopped by a Jeep hookup shop in town (jeepers den) and they said that most likely my TCU is messed up because I can shift through the gears manually so it is probably not the tranny.

I searched all the jy's in town, NONE of them had the TCU, so I guess I'm going to post in the wanted section.

If anyone has a TCU laying around for an 89 cherokee or any that is compatible, please let me know. I'll buy it.