Hi everyone. I just bought a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Factory RHD 4.0 4WD for my postal route.


When I got it yesterday I realized it has no reverse, all other gears work fine but no reverse.


Any ideas?

 

Fluid level and condition? Take a look....

 

Do you have an AW4 automatic transmission?

When you place the gear selector in reverse, do you get reverse lights?

 

It's a RHD. The reverse was optional.

 

Thanks for your post.

We’re here to help but you must understand that all Jeeps are not the same.
In order for us to give you more accurate advice and help, we must know the following, as applicable, along with detailed information as to the symptoms/problems etc:

Year
Model
Engine
Transmission
Transfer case

 

Year...2000
Model..Cherokee (not a sport)
Engine ....4.0
Tranny...I believe is an AW4 ( It is a select trac )
DONT KNOW TRANSFERR CASE


Fluid was very low filled up and didn't make a difference.


Put rear end up in the air....put in reverse and it barely spins the tires, you can stop it with your hand. The tires even went forward sometimes even though in reverse.


All forward gears work and shifts very well in drive on the road.


Thank for any help guys...

 

If your back-up lamps don't work when reverse is selected it may be a Transmission Range Sensor (NSS) fault with the reverse switch in the NSS not sending a reverse voltage signal to the Transmission Control Module (TCM).

Or, it could be a defective Valve Body in the transmission, or other internal transmission problem.

When you checked your transmission fluid level did the fluid on the dipstick appear to be black or smell funny?

Try checking it again; remove the dipstick and sniff the fluid to see if it smells burnt, then rub the fluid on a white paper towl or rag to see if it looks black(ish).

 

The back up lights go on when it is in reverse, the fluid was low and dirty (darkish) Thank you for your input so far, I appreciate it.

 

I'd do an ATF change.
Typically, you'd drain the old and refill with Dexron III/ Merc and drive around a bit and repeat this until the fluid you drain stays red-ish. However, not sure if you're happy driving it around having no reverse. It could still be related to dirty fluid causing the slipping,but if with new ATF in there it is still slipping, more expensive causes/fixes are likely to be on the cards.

Transmissions are not my field of expertise, but as I understand it, having no reverse (only) means usually internal trans issue. Unfortunately "reverse" does not have a solenoid which could be easily replaced, like the solenoids for the 1-2 2-3 3-4 and TC lock up...

 

I found a warranty card that says the tranny was replaced in 2004 the part number given is R2104210AC

I spoke to a mopar dealer and gave them the last 8 of the VIN and they said it is an AW4

 

Virtually all were AW4's (which is the A340 is Toyota's).

 

Google the number. That was 10 years ago............

 

That's a good part number for a rebuilt AW4 for a RH drive 2000 XJ. The OEM part number for a new AW4 is 52104210AC. Usually the first digit of the OEM # is dropped and an "R" is used in its place for a rebuilt unit.

The orignal transmission probably failed and the dealer install this rebuilt unit.

After 10 years I think this rebuilt unit has failed internally. Probaly the Valve Body.

I rcommend that you take it to a transmission shop that knows the AW4 (or Toyota A340E/F) and have them look into it.

 

Thank you for your expertise and evaluation, I appreciate it.


Thank you to all for your help. If anyone has a low miles tranny for my jeep I would be interested. I found one for $700 with 70k on it, don't think that is too bad, the down fall is you never know if the 70k was rough miles or not.

 

Exactly.

You don't know if it was used in trailer towing (w/o an oil cooler). Roll of the dice I guess. Just make sure it's the same part number as yours. The Chrysler part number (52104210AC) will be on the data plate, along with the model number. The model number may be 40-30LE, but the part number is what you're interested in.