I have a 87 cherokee 4x4 that I just picked up as a project. The engine runs good so far, but I think I am having transmission problems. In order to make the jeep even roll on flat ground I have to hit 3000 RPM's! The jeep has 267,000 miles on it, so I would think its probally toast! Any suggestions?

 

Is it full, and yea it sounds like it's done for. Is the fluid burnt?

 

3000 rpm would indicate some slight slipping. LOL-not really funny. Does it work manually shifting at all ?

Again as in above -hows the fluid -smell like a fish truck ?

 

Check the fluid, Adjust TV cable (search "TV Cable Adjustment" with quotes), Unplug TCU and try shifting manually. If its still not doing anything after that, its time to get a new one.
FYI, my 97 has 280k on it, my girlfriends 96 has 240k on it, my renix had 212 on it. They were all fine. Its not the miles that effect it, its how you take care of them. The AW4 is a super well built trans and will run forever.

 

If you dont overheat them, thats their weak spot cause the generate so much heat themselfs. A cooler is a must if you do any towing or hard offroading.

 

What kind of manual shifting are you talking about? I did try changing out of overdrive and into 2nd or 3rd and nothing changed. I am unsure on when the last time the oil was changed, I did find a bottle of lucas trans fix in the back hold area. Someone already tried that! The fluid looks clean, for what thats worth.

 

Manual Shifting basically putting it in 1-take off and when you think it should shift pushing the stick into 2 and so on.
Sometimes trannys will not shift in "D" but will shift when manually told to.
Also finding a can of "trans fix" is never a good sign.

The valve body could be all stuck up with crud but again at that milage--.try all the simple cheap things you can ruling them out until U can say "my trans is shot ".

 

Yes, I am thinking about opening the pan this weekend and looking inside. I dont know much on the trans side of mechanics, but maybe something will be noticeable inside.

 

Good advice.

Job #1 is to unplug the transmission control unit (TCU) and see how it shifts without the TCU in play.

Important why? Because if it shifts okay manually without the input signals from the TCU, then the problem is electrical (good news)!!

However, if it reacts the same way with the TCU unplugged as it did with the TCU plugged in, then the problem is mechanical and you should start looking for a replacement transmission (salvage yard)

Also, here is a link to adjustment of the throttle cable. Another thing that needs to be ruled IN or OUT for a tranny problem.

http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1015963

 

I just went threw all this and became familiar with the trans. I first disconnenct the tcm ( transmission control module) if it starts in 1st when you put in 1, its more than likley electrical, try to shift to 3, then overdrive. The 2 major components that control shifting is tps sensor ,and the speed sensor on the transmission behind the transfer case linkage. Mine happens to be the speed sensor, which is pretty expensive if you can find one.Around 130. Don't confuse it with the speed sensor on the tail of the transfer case, which is for the speedometer. My transmission didn't want to shift and reved like it was slipping. Basically it was getting the wrong engine speed signal, and not locking the torque converter or shifting till around redline.

 

Oh one more thing, these transmissions are near bullet proof, I have 280k on mine. It is very unlikley its mechanical, but is possible. I tow a 19 foot open fisherman with stock cooing. I have had no problems. They run hot because the torque converter does not fully lock, even in overdrive (this is where most of the heat comes from).

 

id check the torque converter it might be going out and also try to get the outside of the tranny cleaned up it could have a crack on the top you never know...

Edit: good luck dude

 

I will try the unpluging the tcu in the morning. I did pick up a donor jeep last night, with good mechanicals but crappy body. If I can fix the first one easy that will be awsome!

 

Can someone tell me where I should unplug the module from? Where is it located? Thanks fellows.

 

Its under the passenger dash. Looks like a ecu with a harness plugged into it