This is my first post to these forums. I need some opinions on a few things, well actually one thing. Do I sell it? I own a 1996 cherokee. I have for a while. The odometer just ticked over 156k and the motor is still running strong. I lovingly named my Jeep Oscar. Simply because he's green, he smells,and he's grouchy. (More so than lately) Well, the past few months have been rough for Oscar and I. After replacing calipers, pads and rotors and a broken sway bar link, things were going well. Then, I noticed if I lost traction to the rear wheels, there would be a horrible sound like a gear stripping. Turns out, transfer case is ****ed. I send it to jasper and while it's being rebuilt, I replace a wheel seal that's leaking and rear drums and shoes. I also did the u-joints on the front axle. Transfer case comes back, things are great. Jeep has power, 4wd works amazing. Now, transmission refuses to shift into first, therefore it starts in 2nd and is a total dog. I think it's a stuck valve and a friend agrees. I feel like I'll never get the money I put into it back, but it's pissing me off. At this point,If I get the trans rebuilt, I almost want to rebuild the motor too and restore the whole damn thing. I'm just annoyed and kind of venting. Any suggestions would be great. Money isn't really a big issue, I'd just like some input.

 

I'd check the solenoids in the transmission and the fluid condition. You can swap the solenoids just by dropping the pan.
If you drop the shifter down to 1-2, what gear do you start off in?

 

Fluid is great, not burnt up or anything. If I'm in 1-2, about 80% of the time, I still get 2nd. However, if I downshift while slowing down, most times it will drop into 1st and shift back to 2nd with acceleration. The change from 1st to 2nd is a bit rough, but no slipping or anything like that.

 

Not many things increase in value with money dumped in them. Have you tried adjusting the trans cable @ throttle body?
Do you know last time fluid was changed?

 

A friend of mine had a similar problem with his 2001 XJ. After having the transmission completely rebuilt, the problem persisted. The actual problem turned out to be "A sensor on the throttle body", according to my friend.

Thus, would check the throttle position sensor as well as other sensors. An XJ automatic trans should last you a lot more than 156k miles.

 

First off on spending money on your XJ, how much is a new SUV then tax's, license, insurance on one even after the purchase price the first year.


I bought my 99 XJ for $1800 with 220,000 mi. on it 3 yrs. ago and still running strong. I have did a lot of upgrades to mine and hate to say how many thousand's of dollars have been pored into it, nothing more than a toy. Will I get my money back that I have spent NO and I knew that going in, just like racing always money going out.


These are tough old buggies and I like them as does my wife she wheels with me all the time and drives our GC in the winter as well. If the body is in good shape it sounds like you have rebuilt about everything and I would go ahead if it were me.

 

Thanks for putting things into perspective for me. Spending 30k on a brand new SUV sounds a LOT less attractive than spending 5 grand making my XJ new again.
The body is mostly solid except for the drivers side floor pan, which is rotting out. I already ordered a factory new one. Going to the trans shop on Monday for a quick once over and going from there.

 

Have you checked your TPS? Have you refreshed all your connectors? (Including the transmission electrical connector)

Read through Cruiser's tips. You cannot officially call your XJ grouchy until you've at least gone through and done his tips and problems still persist.

 

I went to the trans shop, it was a bad valve. Instead of rebuilding my tranny, I ordered this: http://www.smartpartsauto.com/automa...ssion_aw4.html

After the core, it's a good deal in my eyes. On to rebuilding the motor I guess. I might as well swap the Dana 33 in the front while I'm at it.

Thanks for all the suggestions.