stick with me here... im really confused when i put it in "D" it feels like im in 3rd or 4th gear trying to take off Literally(if you can drive a stick you should ketch my drift)!! with no power at all! i put it down to 1-2 and it feels like im in first with all my power and i feel the tranny actually shift into it first?!!?! put it into 3rd and im back with no power trying to accelerate and it just goes braaaaaaaaaaa and slowly gets up to speed. No check engine light no strange noises.... anyone have any clue @ all? she just started to do this to me randomly after i tried to take off at a stop sign.

 

Sounds like the third gear pressure solinoid is either shorted to ground or siezed. When you select first and second with the shift lever you bypass the computer part of the circuit.

 

so my tranny is basically shot almost? or maybe im just loosing a gear? how would i go about testing this theory.. cause now im scared

 

replace the shift solenoids.......there are 3 and in inside the tranny pan..they are 175$ for all 3 new.......they can be ohms tested at the TCU plug.

 

whats a TCU plug? and where is it located...

 

This would be the way to go........you can pick up a repair manual "chiltons" at the auto parts store .....real easy job. Trans filter kit also.

 

already got one.................. BUT im a complete DUMMY i have this switch for wheelin that keeps my jeep in first gear and it was switched on "half way" so it was restricting my box i do believe.. She moves again with no problem! baha i feel silly

 

you had it in first gear lockout......nice...

 

Where are you finding all three for 175? ive found one for about 185.
Ive got the same issue (not the 1st gear lockout switch lol) but it feels like it starts in 3rd. if i put it into 1-2 its possitive and drivews correctly up untill the end of that gear. getting a CEL as well. it mentioned something about transmission circut fail. (sorry i dont have the exact code on me).
anyways it came out of nowhere, and the fluid is to spec.

Now today, its fine...no light, shifting properly etc. WTF!
im thinking the solinoids are sticky maybe. would you recomend a flush and filter change intead of throwing more $$$ at it?

Thanks very much.

 

no i reccomend ohms testing them first before you spend any $

 

What should they spec. out to?
I also got 3 solinoids outta a 00' with like 80,000 miles for about 40$. but before i pull my pan id like to test mine
you know what, or where i can find the acceptible ohm ranges?

thanks alot

 

I had a similar problem to this last summer. In my case, after about an hour of driving, the torque converter lockup solenoid would stop working. I couldn't test them though, because once it cooled off, it would be good as new. Ohms testing the solenoids will only work if the solenoid is completely failing.

Here's how the AW4 shifts:

Gear Solenoid 1 Solenoid 2

1 Engaged Not Engaged
2 Engaged Engaged
3 Not Engaged Engaged
4 Not Engaged Not Engaged

As you can see from this chart, if solenoid 1 fails, you will certainly lose 1st and 2nd gear, regardless of the position of the shifter. If solenoid 2 fails, you will lose 2nd and 3rd gear, again, regardless of the shifter's position.

To test this, turn your jeep off, and unplug the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) located on the passenger side, under the glove box. It should be a small (4x1 inch or so) metal box with a bunch of wires coming out of this. When this is unplugged, you should be in 1st gear only when in "1", 3rd gear only when in "3" and 4th gear only when in "4". If 3 is the only one that doesn't work correctly, Solenoid 2 is bad. If 1 doesn't work, Solenoid 1 is bad. 4 Will work regardless, as no solenoids are engaged. If all three work 100%, then your problem could be the TCU, or possibly the TPS.

Edit: Be careful doing much driving with it starting in 3rd or 4th, this causes the torque converter to get VERY hot, and can cause more damage over time.

Also, when I did mine, I found a tranny on craigslist for 100, the guy pulled it out of a rig he totalled. I didn't know the condition of it, so I just took the solenoids out. If you get a tranny for the solenoids at the JY alone, look for one that was totaled in an accident. This way you can be sure it didn't make it there because of tranny problems, just like you have.

 

yea ill test it tomarow. also the specific code i got was P0700- 2nd shift solinoid fail.
so its lookin to be pretty on point. yea any time ive had to move the vehicle i put in into 1-2, i never let it just struggle as it will right now.
im hoping this is what it is.

 

update if anyone cares.
changed the solinoids out last night, Junk yard set. worked like a charm

 

thats sweet