U21

Have this Jeep since 2013, all maintenance done by a trusted mechanic but it is getting expensive, so I decided to do maintenance and minor repairs, like I've done with previous vehicles. I have very good experience in getting help from other vehicles' forums (motorcycle) and came here to get ideas on my current issue, a transmission fluid leak. Now I am not sure what is my model since my body batches have fallen, even the "4.0L" one on the rear. So can someone help me ID this Jeep? I know it is a Cherokee, but that's as much as I know. It has an inline 6 cyl engine and it is a 4.0 liter engine. I recently paid a kid to do my oil change and I observed I can do this myself. Here are some pics...

!st time inside the garage in a while

Trying to figure out how to check the tranny oil level

cruiser54

XJ Cherokee.
The trans dipstick is up next to the firewall.

Yellow handle. Instructions for checking the fluid are on that dipstick.
If you're gonna change fluid, you only need to drain it via a plug on the bottom of the trans pan and have 1 gallon of ATF to refill. Likely just short of the whole gallon.
Can't stress enough: do not remove the pan. Use only dex/Merc III fluid. Photo attached.

I'm assuming you are verifying all the driveline components for fluid level and condition?

cruiser54

And BTW, welcome to Cherokee Forum!

U21

I actually had a leak from the hose coming from the transmission (yes it doesn't have the metal hose) at the bottom of the radiator and spuked oil all over the place while driving, I first suspected when gears wouldn't engage right away as it has always done. Did a search and found the right fluid Dex/Merc and put 3.5 quarts, measuring it carefully every time I added some. The stick is sort of dark metal and the fluid is very hard to see where it is at, had to wipe and stick -see, many times to make sure. Oh, my dipstick is not yellow handle it is just a round handle, maybe I don't hae the right one. Also I feel five shifts, that is from taking off the Jeep changes gears four times and all the info out there says I should have a 4 speed auto....?
Thanks for the info, now I know I have an XJ...any idea what XJ stands for?

cruiser54

You're good to go then. You had the right handle!!

XJ is just a factory model designation.

1,2,3,4, then the torque converter locks. There's the 5 "shifts" you;re feeling.

U21

"the torque converter locks"? What is that and why? The last "shift" I feel is at abut 45 mph driving it normally, is that ok?
Thanks!

cruiser54

It's all good and normal.

The torque converter is the fluid coupling between the engine and trans. That allows some slippage. After it's in OD, the torque converter locks the engine to the trans and it's like a stick shift would be. No slip.

I'm moving this Intro to the Technical Subforum.

U21

Ok!
Thanks!

Saudade

Welcome from SoCal. Jeeps come is all kinds of flavors denoted by the 2 letter model code. XJ is the code for our Cherokees. Note that there are other "Cherokees" and go by ZJ, WJ, WK, and more.

Here's the Wikipedia page that lists the model and years of production.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jeep_vehicles

You can also search for a "jeep vindecoder", enter your vin, and see some details about your XJ, like where it was made, etc.

U21

Thanks,
Just looked at the WP page interesting will also look at the vin # look up. Thanks to cruiser54 I now know I have an XJ and also my question about my transmission.
Looked a a couple of threads I need to read, but was curios as to the search window to search specific topics, can't find it!
Current issues: 1-Need to see if there is more places that the transmission may be leaking. 2-Why does it clunks on right turns...!

U21

User Unknown

Type your VIN in here and you’ll get a full list of all factory options. This is FREE from FCA.

skeet88

Welcome to the forum! Yours looks like my ‘94 XJ , two-tone paint and same style wheels. Be Safe!