Let's start from the beginning... I recently aquired a 95 Cherokee in a trade. Apparently the tranny doesn't shift. OD is 4th, 3rd is 3rd, and 1-2 is 1st. So it shifts fine manually no slippage and what not. These are what I have checked/replaced so far:

Dropped pan, replaced filter and fluid.
Checked transmission solenoids. All three read 13 OHMs
Replaced TCU (am now wondering if original was still good)
Replaced TPS (brand new from NAPA)
Checked all fuses.
Adjusted TV cable.

I still have the same problem. I am seriously thinking about blowing this thing up. So Let's just say my XJ's life is in your hands.

 

Did the trans start sliping when driving? how was the old fluid? dark? burnt smell?

 

It was dark but not burnt. The transmission doesn't slip, it shifts just fine manually. Just can't get it to shift on its own. I also forgot to mention that it will not start in any gear except N or P so I assume NSS is ok.

 

no dont blow it up. once you fix this problem your xj will give you years of happiness. be paticent. you love your xj you xj will love you

 

There are two ways to test the shift solenoids, it sounds like S2 is stuck, but....here is what you can do.

First method, using a paper clip, one at a time back probe the (white/Black wire, Violet/White wire and Dark Blue/White wire) Take a jumper wire and run it from the positive terminal on the battery or any other key on power source and tap it to the back probed wire at the same time listen for an audible "Click" .
That click means two things, one the ground to the solenoid is good, and 2 the solenoid reacts. Do this to all three solenoids, the one that does not "Click" has failed.

Second would be to drop the pan and check each solenoid by feel while providing power to it.
white/black wire is S3
violet/white is S2 and dark blue/white is S1

 

Cruiser’s Trans Plug Refreshing

Over near the transmission dipstick tube are 2 rather large connectors. One is black and the other gray. These 2 connectors carry all the info between TPS, TCU, NSS, speed sensor, and transmission solenoids.
Unplug each one, visually inspect for corrosion or bent pins, spray them out with electrical contact cleaner and plug them back in.
　
Additionally, if your Jeep is an 87 to 90 Renix, it’s always a good idea to reach up under the glovebox area and unplug the connector to the TCU and spray it out along with the receptacle of the TCU. While you’re there, find the fuse right in that area for the TCU. Remove it and spray out it’s receptacle and clean any corrosion from the fuse.
Revised 9-10-2012