just cleaned my IAC valve, my idle went down significantly

then went and took my buddy out around the block so he could feel out this weird problem I'm having... here's the know and wonder..

know: I need trans fluid pretty bad, checked it and it seems I barely have any.

wonder: what would having low trans fluid cause exactly??

this is my concern: when im turning sometimes, my jeep will kind of catch itself and pop to pickup what i believe is the gear. When I go to brake, it'll sound as if the engine is still on the gas but I am stopped. when I let off the brake I will actually roll backwards a bit, instead of crawling forward. Then I hit the gas it'll sound like its in neutral and revving, but then catch itself and "pop" into gear. What could be the cause of this??

I checked with a butane torch for a vacuum leak and everything seemed to check out. So that seems gravy but I know it could be the brake booster.

My front diff vent hose has a gash in it, could this be causing the problem??

I also noticed that what i believe to be my trans pan has a dent in it where something is leaking. I'll post pictures tomorrow but any insight will help. If you dont wanna answer here I posted a tech thread and will add the link in a minute.

FYI I have a 90 laredo that is automatic.

 

Fill the trans fluid before you drive it anymore. Dex III. Not +4. That's what operates, lubricates and cools your transmission.
Low fluid will cause slipping, delayed or no shift, revving between gears, overheating and eventually transmission failure of the most unpleasant sort.

 

Fill up that transmission or it will overheat!

 

Thank you guys. I'll let you know how it does with more fluid if the problem persists.

Have a good and safe 4th of July.

 

So your transmission fluid is low, the shifting is strange, and there is a dent in the transmission pan with some sort of fluid leaking? None of those things are clues? As far as the gash in the front diff breather hose, it probily was rubbing on the ujoint, something along those lines.

 

Mine will pop, (and "crackel",and sort of buck, (feels bad!), when I'm turning hard in 4WD, because at least one U-Joint on the front axle, (not the drive-line), is shot.

 

I know theyre clues, but what I wanted was some insight before incase there was any other things that could cause this.

 

There are other things that could cause that, but you won't be able to troubleshoot them without the trans itself operating correctly. Fix the known problems first, then move on if problems continue.

 

Fix the leak and fill the transmission with the correct fluid.

 

Aw shoot. I thought I'd missed something. Snap, Crackle, and POP! (just NEVER pour milk on the front axle U-Joints)

(Also ^^)