OK, on the drive home last night I had 2nd gear, at least for a while at first. In fact, for a while it shifted almost flawlessly, then back to being weird (no second, too long in first, etc.). So I'm hopeful that the problem is indeed electrical or the solenoids. I bought some deoxit and plan to go after all the transmission electrical connections with that first and see how it performs then. If that doesn't do it, I'll drop the pan and test those solenoids thoroughly.

Thanks, Radi. I'm sold. I'm going to make certain I don't have any connection issues first, then I'm on it.

 

Dropped the pan (MAN, that fill tube is a PAIN — had to remove the bracket and lower the whole thing), and my #2 solenoid tests bad. Should I replace them all while I'm at it?

 

Unless cost is an issue, I would do them all while you're in there rather than have to do the job again.

 

I just recently went through a similar scenario.....take the neutral safety switch off, clean, regrease it, use a very high number grit (non coarse) sandpaper to clean contacts inside, and reinstall.....your problem will most likely go away.....believe it, it's that simple.

 

I did that and mine didn't go away

 

FINALLY got my solenoids in the mail and installed them, replacing filter and gasket while I was at it. Things are worse now! If I put it in drive it seems to go in 3rd or 4th, can barely budge the car. I got it to go to 1 if I dropped it to 1/2, but reverse barely has any power. I'm out of guesses and about to go get ripped off at the transmission shop.

I did have a heck of a time figuring out my fluid level (it's all over the stick, and the book doesn't say whether to check in D or N, just to check at operating temperature) — surely fluid level being off wouldn't cause all that trouble?

 

I. am. an. idiot.

I forgot that I had disconnected the TCM last week while testing. That would do it! Connected it back up, took it for a very quick spin, everything acted great. It still threw a CEL, so I need to get a code reader on it and see why, and I still need to get my fluid checked accurately. But this feels like progress!

 

sorry for hijacking, but does anyone have/ know of correct voltages for the TCM wiring harness? My 95 XJ is stuck in 4th no lockup D, stays in 1st in 1-2 selection, and 3rd selection gives me 3rd no lock up. Its like the TCM is unplugged but it is. I have checked said TCM in another cherokee and its fine. any help would be appreciated.