bfh_american

What's up guys? Having a little issue on my "new" 1993, 4.0 Cherokee Automatic. Got it from an older person, who only put 84,000 miles on it in the 22 years they owned it. The truck is essentially mint, besides the standard early 90's bad paint job. Anyhow, after some routine maintenance, i noticed when the car is "cold" that it's having trouble shifting into third when I'm driving and I have to back off the gas and try again. There are many possibilities to what this problem is, but what do you guys think it sounds like? I'm hoping it's just bad fluid, or a filter. But do you think it could be the trans on this pretty fresh XJ? I just had surgery, so i can't get under it for a few days, but what would you all recommend? I've never had trans issues with my other xj's besides a broken line. I know it can possibly be an adjuster, filter, fluid or the actual trans, but I just need help narrowing it down as much as I can because I can't get under it and get dirty just yet. It just freaks me out because it sounded like it was at 6,000 rpms and it wouldn't shift..... Thanks in advance guys.

Doogluus88

I would definitely try adjusting the TV linkage (sometimes incorrectly called a kickkdown cable). Also a bad throttle position sensor can cause wacky shifts like the one you described. Do a search on here for how to adjust the cable and test the TPS. Checking these things along with the fluid should always be done first when you suspect transmission problems. The aw4 is one hell of a transmission and can take a real beating. Example, when I was young and stupid I once tried to put my Cherokee in neutral to coast down a hill and accidentally put it in reverse! There was a loud bang and the engine turned off. 8 years later and it still shifts just fine

Doogluus88

Check out post #10 on this thread to check the TPS.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/throttle-position-sensor-93899/

bfh_american

you're sick lolol that trans should of fell off the XJ haha. Will do! I'm really hoping it's something easy like that. I don't want to replace anything on an XJ with 87k miles -_-

cruiser54

Try this first:

Doogluus88

Like I said, it was embarrassing! Lol! But still, the trans still shifts fine all these years later.

Only having 87k on the xj is awesome! Cruiser's link is spot on

bfh_american

Weird man... I went out and checked the trans fluid.. I was down a quart. No leaks to be seen, no oil on the ground. A week prior it was full. Smh it would happen when I can't lift my arms. I recently changed the t case fluid, I need to see if I lost fluid from that nut, and get under there and check all the fittings. I've never been so low on fluid before. I added new fluid and it shifts normally. I obviously have a leak somewhere. I just don't understand why I don't have a puddle..
And yea.. that link was spot on. I'm gonna do that as well

bfh_american

And yea dude..87k miles is a steal. I lucked out. I had my mom buy it when I was deployed over seas hahah steal!

Doogluus88

Well, don't forget that your fluid level will read differently if the transmission is cold/hot. The dipstick actually tells you how to check the fluid level. Can't remember off the top of my head but I think it says "check in neutral, trans hot, engine idling on level ground". Like I said though, refer to the dipstick for instructions.

bfh_american

Yup, yup, I always check hot. Trucks gotta be in neutral and running. the front side is the hot side, back side is cold. I'm really **** with fluid levels. I check 2x a week haha

Doogluus88

That sounds like me! It might be a bit excessive, but at least you can detect small problems before they become big ones.