I just bought a '95 XJ that has no torque in Overdrive from a dead stop.
When I get going it seems fine though.

I put it in 1-2 and it has tons of torque.

Any ideas what the issue could be?

 

I also own a 2000 XJ, so please do not think I don't understand how the transmission should act.

I will admit that I don't know squat about how the transmission actually functions though.
When 1-2 works as it should, I at least know it isn't the motor.
The way power is engaged from Overdrive must differ somehow from 1-2.
Question is, is it an electronic issue or a mechanical issue?
Could it be torque converter? Gear selector?

 

So it isn't starting off in 1'st gear unless you manually select it? That's likely an electronics fault, no power to the TCU, wiring problem, bad solenoid(s)..

 

I didn't say that, but can see people doing that out of desperation or as a work around.
It does take off in 1st with Overdrive, but is turd slow.
The engine revs, but just doesn't want to go.
If it were a manual transmission, I would say it felt like a clutch needing replaced.
Being that it is an automatic and manually selecting 1-2 works fine, that is where the head scratching is.

 

This sounds like a TCU problem as stated above. If you unplug the TCU, is there any difference in how it responds?

 

This is because if the TCU is unplugged or not functioning the shifter handle is the controller.
D=4th
3=3rd
1•2=1st.
There's a problem with the electronics. Check to make sure the TCU is plugged in and there are no blown fuses. Check two connectors, one gray and one black near the back of the engine, those are the solenoid wires.

 

At first, I thought it was shifting, but after reading an earlier response, I drove it and realized it really wasn't shifting and found that I could shift it manually to work and it runs good like that.
I took lower part of the dash apart and think I found the TCU on the passenger side, a light grey box about the size of a cell phone and an inch thick. I couldn't find a fuse though.
I'll try to find the connectors on the back of the engine block and clean the connectors on the TCU too.
If the TCU is bad, I have no idea where to find one.
I've found them online for 96 and up only.
Called Auto Zone and they couldn't find it.
I definitely need to invest in a repair manual.

 

Shift solenoid is bad.

 

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. The solenoids may not be getting power.

I forgot to ask, OP, what does the fluid and level look like?

 

Agreed.

 

does the 95 have a fuse for that?

 

I'm not sure about that, but I'm sure as hell about this:

Chipmaker says:

“Way more problems get solved by using your five senses under your hood rather than your ten fingers on a keyboard”

 

You got that right!

 

And this:

 

I found my problem.
While just trying to find a Transmission Control Module on eBay, I found that the part #s weren't the same as mine.
Called the dealership to run my VIN and get the manufacturer part#.
Found that some turd stuck a TCM from a '93 XJ in, thinking it would work.
$45 on eBay has it running fine now.

Now I just need to take apart the dash and figure out how that same turd managed to hook up the fan controls for my climate control wrong.
I get full blast when fan is turned off and nothing for low medium or high.

It's amazing how most xj's for sale have the wackiest crap wrong with them.
I'll assume the owners of well taken care of ones will never let them go. Lol

I bought this one sight unseen since it was a TX owner, literally has no rust and only 105,000 miles.
Runs great now.
Thanks for the input, helped steer me in the direction to find the answer to my problem.