Left turn trans. slippage
Thread Starter
Shadetree Grease Monkey
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma, USA
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Got a weird issue on my '99 WJ. When turning left from a stop or a slow roll, my transmission seems to slip for a moment until the turn is over and then it "hits" the gear again, sort of like it drops back down to first or something.
It only does this on left turns, and it does it regardless of being cold or warmed up. I have no slipping issues at any other times. I've checked the transmission fluid and even had it changed out and everthing looks good on the surface. Am I due for a tranmission overhaul?
Could it be anything to do with the transfer case? I think I have a small leak there somewhere, but haven't had a chance to check it's fluid level.
It only does this on left turns, and it does it regardless of being cold or warmed up. I have no slipping issues at any other times. I've checked the transmission fluid and even had it changed out and everthing looks good on the surface. Am I due for a tranmission overhaul?
Could it be anything to do with the transfer case? I think I have a small leak there somewhere, but haven't had a chance to check it's fluid level.
Thread Starter
Shadetree Grease Monkey
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma, USA
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 16
From: Fauquier County, Virginia
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 HO
Well, I can't really offer a possible issue, but I can take one worry off your mind at least!
If the tranny fluid was changed and it wasn't burnt or had little pieces of junk it, then I doubt you need a tranny overhaul.
Im wondering if maybe when you turn left, the front axle somehow engages, or just contacts, and the slipping your feeling is the sudden jerk on the trans or something. I hope you get your issue fixed!
(btw, ignore the little bit in my sig about Grand Cherokees...
) haha jk.
If the tranny fluid was changed and it wasn't burnt or had little pieces of junk it, then I doubt you need a tranny overhaul.
Im wondering if maybe when you turn left, the front axle somehow engages, or just contacts, and the slipping your feeling is the sudden jerk on the trans or something. I hope you get your issue fixed!
(btw, ignore the little bit in my sig about Grand Cherokees...
) haha jk.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 23
From: Oroville, CA
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
I was thinking it might be a transfercase issue since this is an all wheel drive, but it would do it on right turns too. I still think you have a low fluid or a loose filter problem. You're checking the level with the engine running and in park or neutral, right?
Thread Starter
Shadetree Grease Monkey
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma, USA
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Yep, completely warmed up, engine running and in park on a level surface. When this started, I had the fluid changed, but they do it through the dipstick so I don't know how the filter would have come loose. I haven't found anything about this particular problem in my searches, but I'm leaning toward a transfer case issue. I think I'll swap out the fluid soon and update the thread on whether or not anything changes.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 16
From: Fauquier County, Virginia
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 HO
Yep, completely warmed up, engine running and in park on a level surface. When this started, I had the fluid changed, but they do it through the dipstick so I don't know how the filter would have come loose. I haven't found anything about this particular problem in my searches, but I'm leaning toward a transfer case issue. I think I'll swap out the fluid soon and update the thread on whether or not anything changes.
I've heard nothing but frustration and nightmares when it came to these flushes.
Thread Starter
Shadetree Grease Monkey
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma, USA
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L

I found a pic of the oil pump in the txfr case and if I'm looking at it correctly, if it's low on fluid, it all sloshes away from the pump pickup on a left hand turn. This makes me lean toward txfr case even more.
\Also, I just realized where I posted this. If there's a mod available, please place this in the correct forum.
Last edited by MadMonk; Feb 23, 2011 at 01:37 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 1
From: Springville, UT
Year: 1993
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2 V8, Dual cold air, dual batts, E-fan, Sanden OBA
Your checking the tranny fluid WRONG. You check it with it warmed up in NUETRAL. Its low on fluid I guarantee it. When you turn left the fluid goes to one side. When you turn right it doesn't do it because the fluid goes to that side and that's where it sucks it in. Its not your t case it wouldn't do that if your low on fluid. Check your fluid again and then let us know.
Thread Starter
Shadetree Grease Monkey
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma, USA
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Your checking the tranny fluid WRONG. You check it with it warmed up in NUETRAL. Its low on fluid I guarantee it. When you turn left the fluid goes to one side. When you turn right it doesn't do it because the fluid goes to that side and that's where it sucks it in. Its not your t case it wouldn't do that if your low on fluid. Check your fluid again and then let us know.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 16
From: Fauquier County, Virginia
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 HO
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 23
From: Oroville, CA
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
Back in the old days, Chrysler transmissions did not pump fluid in park, only in neutral and in gear. Cops burnt up a lot of transmissions in their squad cars by sitting for hours on end by the side of the road in park eating donuts. I'm pretty sure you can check a Chrysler transmission in park these days, it should tell you in the owners manual.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 1
From: Springville, UT
Year: 1993
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2 V8, Dual cold air, dual batts, E-fan, Sanden OBA
Busted back hit the nail on the head, did you check it again? On my heep if I check it in park I get a different reading then when its in NUETRAL so I'm sure yours does to
Thread Starter
Shadetree Grease Monkey
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma, USA
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Wow, I learned something new today. 
I'll check it after I drive home from work today and report back.
*Update*
The transmission was definitely low on fluid and there was a definite difference between checking it in park and in neutral. I had a 1/2 bottle of ATF+4 on the shelf and it is still low so I'm on my way to the grab some more.
Thanks customZJ73!
Now, I have to get that leak fixed.

I'll check it after I drive home from work today and report back.
*Update*
The transmission was definitely low on fluid and there was a definite difference between checking it in park and in neutral. I had a 1/2 bottle of ATF+4 on the shelf and it is still low so I'm on my way to the grab some more.
Thanks customZJ73!

Now, I have to get that leak fixed.
Last edited by MadMonk; Feb 23, 2011 at 08:06 PM.


