1997 Cherokee 4.0 6cyl 4x4

I am getting some shift hesitation, and I want to test the shift solenoids. I am an electrical newbie...

I read here: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/tra...roblems-88637/

That you can test like so:

"Pull the grey 7 pin connector apart (near the trans dipstick). The row of 4 pins on the female connector is where the wires to the (3) solenids reside. Put one meter lead on the ground post of your battery, and touch the other end to each of those pins. If the solenoids are good, they should show 12-18 ohms resistance. If they show more resistance, or none at all, you either have bad wiring or solenoid(s). Wt/Bk is S3, Vt/Wt is S2, and DB/Wt is S1. S1 and S2 are the shift solenoids and S3 is the lockup solenoid."

But when I test, I put the Ohm to "200" and I get "618" for the described pins... they are all consistently in that range.

Is there difference that those steps are for a '96 and this is a '97?

(I believe one of the wires is a slightly different color also.)

I want to make sure these puppies are healthy before I move onto anything else... I replaced them about 1.5 years ago, when the jeep stopped shifting out of first altogether.

 

changed fluid a few times???

double check ohm meter with a known resistance,a new sol at parts store.

 

Thinking something is screwy in the measurement. (nice it's consistent though I suppose). I'm sure on voltage if the (volts) are higher then the range selected it will show just a 1. Checking a solar panel today on the 20 VDC scale just got a 1. Flipped the meter to the 200 scale and saw (open circuit) it had 27V.

Can't say for sure on ohm's of resistance, but getting 618 on the 200 scale doesn't sound right. Are you sure it's on ohms? (has the symbol that looks like headphones). It's just on 200, not 200K? (course you would use the 200 scale for 12-18.)

What do you get checking the engine to battery neg? (that, you want around one ohm, to the body as well.) All three. Heck, find your TPS ground wire to throw in the sensor ground circuit and you checked everything!

Btw, your TCU, as well as the PCM and more ground at the dipstick mount stud, at least on the earlier Jeeps. If the TCU ground isn't good it might not shift right. The TPS ground through the TCU, guess that helps protect it.

Was going to mention the TPS, TJ"s post in your link has good stuff there.

 

Thanks... I typoed that, I had it on 2000 when it is reading 618, darnit.

I am trying to digest the info, I know that TPS is throttle position sensor, I've changed it before. How would I identify and check its ground? Dumb question I am sure.

The TCU is the transmission control unit?

I'll check these things out and look at TJ's post in more depth... thanks again.

 

I'm sure others could be more help here.

Yes, Trans Control Unit.
I don't even know if the solenoids have there own ground without looking. I can guess the test you did is also measuring the resistance of the engine/trans to ground, as well as the solenoid resistance. (is why I suggested checking just engine to ground, alone). You could, put your meter lead on the engine or trans instead of bat Neg I suppose. That would remove the other grounds from the equation and just test the solenoid and it's wiring. Isn't the TPS ground pointed out in TJ's tps deal? Anyway just mentioned it because of shifting problems, it's a very important player there.

Yea, there is for sure a learning curve on meters. Luckeley the functions we need are not so tough to wrap your head around.