Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Major POWER Loss!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-19-2012, 04:49 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
ThunderRaven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Chicago IL
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 3.0 I-6
Default Major POWER Loss!

Ok so I was doin the "Honey-Do" list today, drivin' around town, everything was going fine...until.... I was stopped at a light trying to turn. I finally get my chance to turn when my poor lil' DD just s-l-o-w-l-y turns around the corner, BTW my foot is almost to the floor on the gas pedal, the engine is revvin' and she's still acting constipated. Sooo I instantly thought I was going to fix whatever it was if I pulled over and grabbed the handy dandy Haynes manual out from the backseat. I love being a optimist, but right now I just spent the past hour on craiglist looking for a pre-96 replacement jeep with no luck within my budget. Anyhow, does anyone have any ideas to what could be the problem, if I'm in Drive and take my foot off the brake she just sits there, give er' a lil' gas, and she slowly goes forward, but in Reverse its another story!?!? I have no clue to what is going on here, any suggestions?
Old 04-19-2012, 05:45 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
buckshot500's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Clover, S.C.
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

If you have an automatic trans, and it felt like it was slipping that may be one of the shift solenoids.

Try shifting it manually from first gear. If it gets moving like normal in first, then I'd bet it is a solenoid.

This happens in my 1998 XJ sometimes, but then fixes itself after a while. The solenoids are in the pan, and are replaceable. I think they cost around $80.00 each.

Have your engine codes checked for free at the local Advance auto or autozone. That's how i found out what was going on with mine. I think mine was the 3-4 solenoid.
Old 04-19-2012, 07:21 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
EvstaG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: St. Albert
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

Too many groceries in the back?
Old 04-19-2012, 08:27 PM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
ZINGGG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Seal Beach, CA
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
Default

First and foremost, check your transmission fluid!!! If it's low, burnt, etc. you can experience your very symptoms. Don't be so quick to want to sell it
Old 04-19-2012, 08:35 PM
  #5  
Junior Member
 
OrrReese's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: metro detroit
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 00
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by 1996sportXJ
First and foremost, check your transmission fluid!!! If it's low, burnt, etc. you can experience your very symptoms. Don't be so quick to want to sell it
X2
Old 04-20-2012, 05:47 AM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
tjwalker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: In the middle of Minnesota!
Posts: 5,804
Received 99 Likes on 88 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Agree that fluid check comes first.

The transmission should be at the correct LEVEL on the dipstick, should be RED in color, and should not smell BURNT.
Old 04-20-2012, 07:08 AM
  #7  
Seasoned Member
 
DailyDriven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sugar Land, Tx
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L High Output
Default

Torque converter slippin?
Old 04-20-2012, 07:20 AM
  #8  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
ThunderRaven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Chicago IL
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 3.0 I-6
Default

Yeah guys thats what I thought too. I checked the levels and they looked a lil low so I put in some Lucas Trans stuff, still the same problem though. While driving if I pull up to a red light light she still pulls off very slowly even if I stomp on the gas pedal. I noticed a weird " pfft pfft pfft pfft" sound coming from somewhere in the engine bay, noticed that the last sparkplug wire was jiggling while the engine was running. Took off the wire and good ole #6 was super loose,cleaned it, tightened it back up, and now no more sound. She still is running like crap at the light and I swear ever since I got my DD back from the theives that stole her two years ago, she ain't been the same. I have to go to work now I'll keep ya posted on how driving turns out today. Thank You All for your help so far.
Old 04-20-2012, 07:27 AM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
TheJerm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Flint/Asheville
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Does it seem more engine trouble than trans? Any CEL? maybe a clogged cat choking the motor, easy to check just hit it with something and if it rattles then its bad.
Old 04-20-2012, 08:38 AM
  #10  
Newbie
 
Kevyn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

^ I was also about to say check the cat
Old 04-20-2012, 09:01 AM
  #11  
CF Veteran
 
ZINGGG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Seal Beach, CA
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
Default

Originally Posted by ThunderRaven
Yeah guys thats what I thought too. I checked the levels and they looked a lil low so I put in some Lucas Trans stuff, still the same problem though. While driving if I pull up to a red light light she still pulls off very slowly even if I stomp on the gas pedal. I noticed a weird " pfft pfft pfft pfft" sound coming from somewhere in the engine bay, noticed that the last sparkplug wire was jiggling while the engine was running. Took off the wire and good ole #6 was super loose,cleaned it, tightened it back up, and now no more sound. She still is running like crap at the light and I swear ever since I got my DD back from the theives that stole her two years ago, she ain't been the same. I have to go to work now I'll keep ya posted on how driving turns out today. Thank You All for your help so far.
Hmm almost sounds like you're in desperate need of a tune up. When was the last time you did one of those? Champion Copper Plugs gapped to .035, quality spark plug wires, distributor cap with brass contacts, and a new ignition rotor. Also verify fuel pressure with a gauge at the fuel rail.

And also x2 on the cat, that's a good place to look
Old 04-20-2012, 03:53 PM
  #12  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
ThunderRaven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Chicago IL
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 3.0 I-6
Default

No Cat!!!! Took it to a muffler shop and they straight piped it to the muffler!!! Ok so I got off early to do laundry but after driving around and getting tired of the BS traffic, it DOES roll fine in 1st gear from the stop, then once up to speed I shift into Drive. This takes up way more gas than usual and my job is (was) only 15 minutes away. So it might actually be the solenoid? OK So this an easy fix for me to do?
Old 04-20-2012, 07:33 PM
  #13  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
ThunderRaven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Chicago IL
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 3.0 I-6
Default

Originally Posted by 1996sportXJ
Hmm almost sounds like you're in desperate need of a tune up. When was the last time you did one of those? Champion Copper Plugs gapped to .035, quality spark plug wires, distributor cap with brass contacts, and a new ignition rotor. Also verify fuel pressure with a gauge at the fuel rail.

And also x2 on the cat, that's a good place to look

Well I did a tune up last summer, I'm kinda surprised to be having this problem now arise. I don't have the equipment to measure the pressure at the fuel rail...yet. Once I get to keep my paycheck to myself I will buy some newer fuel injectors too. But thanks for the mention
Old 04-23-2012, 05:15 PM
  #14  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
ThunderRaven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Chicago IL
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 3.0 I-6
Default Maybe?

Originally Posted by DailyDriven
Torque converter slippin?
This might be the case, but I'm not sure. It almost feels like the brakes are still grabbing when I put it in Drive. But they aren't because if I shift into 1st gear she takes off just fine, and the way she creeps to 25mph is beginning to worry me. I have no idea what "solenoids" that guy was talking about because I know that this old truck works differently than a 98 Cherokee. I took off from work early to check this out some more, any more suggestions? I'm stumped...
Old 04-23-2012, 06:06 PM
  #15  
Seasoned Member
 
JeepDeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: High Desert, CA
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Default

The AW4 has solenoids despite the year.

Vehicle Does Not Shift Into the Right Gear
When the vehicle is accelerating, a bad transmission solenoid may not shift up into the proper gear. You can notice this because the car will have a rough ride and not accelerate as quickly as it normally would. Another similar symptom is that the car or truck will shift back and forth between gears while you are not changing speed. Generally you can feel a slight jerk as the vehicle shifts gears.

Over-Shifting
The easiest symptom to notice is over-shifting. This happens when the solenoid allows the transmission to move more than one gear up or down. Over-shifting often happens when you stop pressing down on the gas pedal. The vehicle will experience a strong jolt as it jerks forward.

Test with 12v before replacing, you'll hear a click when voltage is applied

Write up to replace solenoids...

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/a...no-56k-717206/


Quick Reply: Major POWER Loss!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:07 AM.