Free Quick Fix!!
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Flag AZ
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: straight 6
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
From: NorCal
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I didn't even know I had a problem until I did this fix. I thought my XJ was just kind of gutless. It seems to be running more accurately in the powerband with smooth downshifts when passing or going up hill.
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 964
From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I just did this. Had the same problem. That button would not move. Soaked it with PB Blaster a few times, then tapped down on it with a wrench handle. It went down, but not up. Threaded a drywall screw into the little hole in the middle, grabbed the screw with pliers to pull it up. Then pushed it back down. Thread the screw in, pull it back up.
Repeat a few dozen times, with more applications of PB Blaster.
Finally got it working smoothly, did the adjustment. Good stuff.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 539
Likes: 4
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Just did this and it is amazing how much of a difference it made! Not sure about gas mileage but shifting is so much smoother. I thought I had some tranny work coming up but not now, thanks!
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: V6 4.0
Hey all, newbie here. I have a 99 Grand Cherokee Laredo with the 4.0, and I dont get it...lol
I cant even find this button. Is this only for other models? Thanks!!
NVM, found a vid on youtube that shows how its done on my Jeep:
I cant even find this button. Is this only for other models? Thanks!!
NVM, found a vid on youtube that shows how its done on my Jeep:
Last edited by unionjackdocs; Apr 19, 2014 at 10:35 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Flag AZ
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: straight 6
I just did this. Had the same problem. That button would not move. Soaked it with PB Blaster a few times, then tapped down on it with a wrench handle. It went down, but not up. Threaded a drywall screw into the little hole in the middle, grabbed the screw with pliers to pull it up. Then pushed it back down. Thread the screw in, pull it back up.
Repeat a few dozen times, with more applications of PB Blaster.
Finally got it working smoothly, did the adjustment. Good stuff.
Repeat a few dozen times, with more applications of PB Blaster.
Finally got it working smoothly, did the adjustment. Good stuff.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 641
Likes: 1
From: Anderson, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 37
From: Dont Colorado Wyoming
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
i think my shift solenoids are going out.(yay for dropping the pan) which would exlain why sometimes it doesnt want to shift in to OD unless i shut it off and start again.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Mine seems to lurch when i shift into drive now that I've done this and it shifts really hard now. Is this good or bad? But it seems like it doesn't bog down on hills anymore
Last edited by loganmccool; Jan 19, 2015 at 02:44 PM.
Newbie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
I just got through doing a bunch of work on mine and noticed it wasn't down shifting like it use to. I did this in about 2 mins before I left the house and it changed the jeep. Shifts great and downs shifts just like it use to. Glad I found this.
Thanks for the tip
Thanks for the tip
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 426
Likes: 10
From: Groveland, CA
Year: 1996 Two Door Wagoneer
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Really smoothed out the shifting. Amazing