No downshift to 1st at a stop?
 

My 98 Cherokee with AW4 trans just started acting up intermittently. Come to a complete stop, and when taking off revs will go up to as high as 2500 or so (depending on how much go pedal I apply) and slowly accelerate. If I shift the selector to 3, same thing, but if I go down to 2/1 it seems to accelerate normally. Like I said, this in an intermittent issue, and one stop will be normal, and next will act up.

First and foremost - check trans fluid level.

The aw4 is practically bomb proof, and most issues that come from it seem to be trans fluid level related.

Run it for awhile, put it in park while idling (maybe go through all the gears one by one real quick) and then go check the fluid dipstick, and post results.

Whether it's low or not, also check your trans lines - the stock compression connections going to the radiator (and the connectors on the radiator itself) are just god awful, and leak on every 4.0 eventually.

Level is fine.

Did you do the kickdown cable adjustment yet? Would be another suggestion, problems or not.

Yup

Could be solenoids inside trans. Mine was doing the same thing a little over a year ago and my solenoids were bad. Had them replaced and now it's good! Is it throwing any codes?

Sounds like a shift solenoid issue to me. I had the same issue back in the Spring and I changed all 3 solenoids while I had the pan off. It's not a difficult job just messy. And please be careful with the wiring/plugs going to the solenoids. They can be brittle from age and heat and break real easy. Aske me how I know!!

It could be the 1-3 solenoid intermittantly sticking. If the 1-3 solenoid was inop for two trips it would trip a CEL

Do the manual shift test to see if it's a mechanical issue or an electrical issue.

To do this you'll have to disconnect the TCM.

AW4 MANUAL SHIFTING TEST (FSM Procedures)

(1) This test determines if problem is related to mechanical or electrical component.

(2) Stop engine and disconnect transmission control module.

(3) Road test vehicle. Shift transmission into each gear range. Transmission should operate as follows:

• lock in Park
• back up in Reverse
• not move in Neutral
• provide first gear only with shift lever in 1–2 position
• operate in third gear only with shift lever in 3 position
• operate in overdrive fourth gear in D position

(4) If transmission operates as described, proceed to next step. However, if forward gear ranges were difficult to distinguish (all feel the same), or vehicle would not back up, refer to diagnosis charts. Do not perform stall or time lag tests.

CAUTION: Do not over speed the engine during the next test step. Ease off the throttle and allow the vehicle to slow before downshifting.

(5) Continue road test. Manually downshift transmission from D to 3, and from 3 to 1–2 position. Then manually upshift transmission through forward ranges again.

I had the same issue with my trans and it was the solenoids. I changed out all the solenoids and it's been good for almost 6 months. I did the work my self after a trans place told me I needed to rebuild the whole thing. I figured I would give it a shot since if it needed a complete rebuild I would need the parts anyways. In my case it worked out great.

Max

shift solenoids as mentioned or throttle position sensor (tps).

does it take off fine when you start it and put in drive to go?

went through this same issue on my xj in the summer. It is your shift solenoid, Youll have to drop the pan and change it.