So I have a 1995 xj I’ve had for 5 years and we have drove it all the time around town and never had issues. We had the front input shaft seal blow out on the tranny so we dropped it and replaced. We have never drove more than 20 minutes away because of how bad it leaked but It was fine to drive to work. Well after we fixed it everything was fine and I started driving it 30 minutes plus away and back and it was doing great. I was on probably my 4th trip that far away and on the way back I stopped at a stop sign and when I started driving again it’s like the car was moving slowly but whenever I hit the gas more it was revving and then I let off and it shifted. So I took it easy on the way home and we assumed it was the solenoids so I changed them all and put in a brand new filter. Also the fluid looked really good both times and there was no metal.
After I put it back together I started driving it again and it was shifting smoother than ever until I drove it about 30 minutes away and on the way back it was doing the same thing but in every gear, so I started shifting manually and it was still doing it but not as bad. So I’m trying to figure out what the issue is, I looked to see if I had any codes but I just had one for disconnecting the battery which we did. I believe it is an electrical issue somewhere not the transmission.So any input or suggestions would be great. Thank you

 

The major connection for wires from the transmission into the engine compartment is on the passenger side of the engine right next to the oil dip stick. You might want to make sure those connectors are clean. In the past, I found that you can grab the bundle and squeeze them together and it will sometimes fix a issue or cause one! The other tip would be to clean the grounds on the side of the engine block as well. Take em off and check/clean them before you put them back.

 

TRANSMISSION CONNECTOR REFRESHING

OCTOBER 30, 2015 SALAD 24 COMMENTS



Over near the transmission dipstick tube are 2 rather large connectors. One is black and goes to the NSS and the gray connector goes to the transmission itself
. These 2 connectors carry all the info between TPS, TCU, NSS, speed sensor, and transmission solenoids.

Unplug each one, visually inspect for corrosion or bent pins, spray them out with electrical contact cleaner and plug them back in.

Additionally, if your Jeep is an ’87 to ’90 Renix, it’s always a good idea to reach up under the glovebox area and unplug the connector to the TCU and spray it out along with the receptacle of the TCU. While you’re there, find the fuse right in that area for the TCU. Remove it and spray out it’s receptacle and clean any corrosion from the fuse.

 

There's also a fair chance the trans is damaged from driving it with a leaking front seal.

 

It might be those connections considering I disconnected them when i took out the tranny. It’s just really weird that it only does it after I drive it a long distance. I will clean them after work today and get back with you

 

I took them apart and used electrical cleaner and after I got them clean I put them back together. I took it for a drive and it started doing it immediately this time. If almost feels like it’s in 4th because it barely moves and revs high but when it gets to 50 mph it’s like it is driving normally. Even when I hit the gas it doesn’t just rev like it does when I’m slow.

 

It does this even when you shift manually?

 

yes it did, I just unplugged the Tcm and drove it around manually shifting and it didn’t do it. I stopped in a parking lot and plugged it back in just to make sure it was still doing it and it was, so I unplugged it and drove home no issues

 

So, with the TCM plugged in you can't shift it manually?

 

it still lets me, it just does the same thing as it’s doing in drive.