Slow acceleration
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 75
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L 6 cyl.
SO I have a 1989 jeep Cherokee with a 4.0l 6 cyl. Lately the brakes have been catching when I stop and then the jeep jolts to start moving. But today out of nowhere when I went to accelerate the engine rev'd to around 2000 rpm's and it barely moved but after it started moving it was fine. Any idea on what either of the problems could be or if they are the same problem?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
It's either transmission itself, or components involved that influence the trans and the way it shifts, to make a rough division into what can cause your slipping, because that seems to be what you describe.
Start simple first: check level and quality. ATF needs to be red/dark pink in colour. Dark and swmlling burned is no good.
Do you know when it was refreshed for the last time? Get this up to scratch first.
If the level and quality are good, next step is differentiation between mechanical issues or electric: this can be done by taking the TCM out of the equation and shift manually. If this shows you have no issues, then it's likely electrical and not mechanical.
Next step would be to look into the solenoids, throttle position sensor, etc...
But this gives you a bit of an idea..
Start simple first: check level and quality. ATF needs to be red/dark pink in colour. Dark and swmlling burned is no good.
Do you know when it was refreshed for the last time? Get this up to scratch first.
If the level and quality are good, next step is differentiation between mechanical issues or electric: this can be done by taking the TCM out of the equation and shift manually. If this shows you have no issues, then it's likely electrical and not mechanical.
Next step would be to look into the solenoids, throttle position sensor, etc...
But this gives you a bit of an idea..
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Senior Member
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From: Central Indiana
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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From: Kansas
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 190-hp, 4.0-liter I-6
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Central Indiana
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L 6 cyl.
So i added transmission fluid and tried shifting manual. It did fine when I was shifting manually and even after adding transmission fluid it still does the same thing as before
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 312
From: Australia
Year: 1997 (RHD)
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 ltr
And what about the colour/condition of the ATF?
So, with the manual shifting being ok, this points away from a mechanical issue in your trans.
In post #7 I already gave a heads up on the next things...
Last edited by Roler; Sep 18, 2014 at 05:50 PM.


