RESOLVED: After changing the ground leads, I tested the TPS with Cruizer54's method. My TPS was then replaced, and the car not only shifts correctly, but it runs much, much better as well.

Thanks to this forum and all of those who helped me as well.

On a side note: while checking my grounds, I removed the ground terminal from the battery and noticed it was cracked and cruddy underneath. I replaced the whole thing ($10) and my windshield wipers started working again lol.



my 91 xj, 4wd, is being a PITA about shifting. It doesn't want to shift until 3500 rpm, and then shifts solidly.

I can coax it to shift by "popping" the go pedal after it hits the "sweet spot' of about 3k.

Just for the hell of it, I changed the solenoids, and of course filter... but no real change. It does run better, but still in the same nasty way.

What did i miss?

 

Could be the TV cable or the tps. I would adjust the TV cable then check the tps.

 

 

gave that a try... we will see in the morning.

Thank you both.

 

When you filled it with ATF did you make sure to put enough? Should be between the dipstick lines when the engine is hot and in neutral.

 

Still shifting at 3500 rpms, first through 3rd, drops into OD at 25-27 like it should. Solid shifts, just really late.

If I bounce the accelerator, it will shift but if I just hold steady it waits until 3500 or better.

 

Is there any tension on the TV cable?

 

I set it according to the video, but will check for tension in the daylight tomorrow.

 

Reset mine and it helped. Also that guys hands are terrifying.

 

Talk to the guy who tried to rob his house.......

Very likely the TPS is bad.

Ever do my Tip 10?

 

Drove home from work this morning (14 miles). Was shifting from 1 & 2 at 35-3600 revs, but then immediately into 3rd and (I thought) overdrive.

Imagine my surprise when I made the last turn toward home, accelerated, and notice I had an extra gear. Nice seeing 55mph at 1800 ish RPMs rather than 2600.

Then the check engine light came on, turning into my neighborhood, and the dang thing stalled in the drive. Started back up after a few minutes.

Scratching my head over this one.

 

Check the code. It may be a good indicator as to what's going on.

 

Clean the grounds at the dipstick tube stud and also the trans electronics connectors in the engine bay. See my Tips 1 and 10.

 

Bad grounds seem to sell a lot of un-needed parts from the auto parts stores, along with rotten vacuum hoses..

 

Thanks Cruizer!

while checking the grounds, I noticed that i had a vacuum line disconnected. No real noticable difference in the shifting, however; it does run a little better

I believe that there is a faulty ground, as you suggested. My logic is that when I turned into the neighborhood after catching overdrive... my wipers came on. I had them in the "intermittent" position as they were only working on High. The "mist" function also worked.

I am probably going to just run new ground straps as you suggested rather than chasing a bad one.