Jeep xj bad problem with the AW4
been having a problem with my xj lately, 94 with the 4.0 and AW4, it will drive fine and shift fine until I gas it to make it downshift, then it down shifts and will buck really hard and die, like rpm drops to almost nothing like I turned the key, then it comes right back and I loose over drive, overdrive won’t come back unless I stop driving for about 10-15 seconds then start drivin my again, acts like normal until I down shift then it repeats... replaced TPS, fluid clean and at proper level, not burnt, nice and red as well
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Do this, and find out where the TCU grounds.

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.
Revised 1-31-2016

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.
Revised 1-31-2016
Jeep is a 94 with the high output, it has atf 3 in it right now, was drained by a leak and I re filled it and it was great all week and now this came out of nowhere today, if I power brake it it will spin the tires for a second and then it’s like someone flips a switch, it starts bucking and dying and will act up until I start driving normal again, then all is fine
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So just went to a transmission shop and told the guy what was happening, gave him the keys and we went for a ride, I had him beat on it a good bit to show what it was doing, verdict is it has one hell of a misfire and the trans is very strong haha, so doing plugs wires and cap today, will report back, seems as though the ignition is breaking down under high load situations
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