Transmission issues
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CRUISER'S MOSTLY RENIX TIPS
Before attempting to adjust your TPS, there are a few things that need to be done.
TPS ADJUSTMENT FOR ENGINE ISSUES
Both Renix manual and automatic transmission equipped XJs and MJs have a flat three-wire connector to the TPS which provides data input to the ECU. The three wires in the connector are clearly embossed with the letters A, B, and C. Wire “A” is positive. Wire “B” is ground. DO NOT UNPLUG THE CONNECTORS!
TPS ADJUSTMENT FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ISSUES
Renix automatic transmission-equipped XJs and MJs have a TPS with two connectors. There is a flat three-wire connector, same as the manual transmission vehicles have, and it is tested the same as outlined above—FOR ALL ENGINE MANAGEMENT RELATED ISSUES.
However, the automatic TPS also has a square four-wire connector, clearly embossed with the letters A,B,C, and D. It only uses three wires and provides information to the Transmission Control Module. THIS SQUARE FOUR WIRE CONNECTOR IS USED FOR TRANSMISSION/SHIFTING RELATED ISSUES ONLY.
First off, DO NOT UNPLUG THE CONNECTORS!
For those with a MANUAL TRANSMISSION–the TPS for the manual transmission XJs is stupid expensive. You can substitute the automatic transmission TPS which is reasonably priced. The square 4 wire connector is just not used.
RENIX TPS ADJUSTMENT
OCTOBER 30, 2015 SALAD 205 COMMENTSBefore attempting to adjust your TPS, there are a few things that need to be done.
- Be sure the throttle body has been recently cleaned. It’s especially important that the edges of the throttle butterfly are free of any carbon build-up.
- With the KEY OFF, and using the positive (red) lead of your ohmmeter, set on the lowest scale, probe the B terminal of the flat 3 wire connector of the TPS. The letters are embossed on the connector itself.
- Touch the black lead of your meter to the negative battery post. Wiggle the wiring harness where it parallels the valve cover and also over near the MAP sensor on the firewall.
TPS ADJUSTMENT FOR ENGINE ISSUES
Both Renix manual and automatic transmission equipped XJs and MJs have a flat three-wire connector to the TPS which provides data input to the ECU. The three wires in the connector are clearly embossed with the letters A, B, and C. Wire “A” is positive. Wire “B” is ground. DO NOT UNPLUG THE CONNECTORS!

- KEY ON, measure voltage from “A” positive to “B” ground by back-probing the connectors. Note the voltage reading–this is your REFERENCE voltage.
- KEY ON, back-probe the connector at wires “B” and “C”. Measure the voltage. This is your OUTPUT voltage.
- Your OUTPUT voltage needs to be seventeen percent of your REFERENCE voltage. For example: 4.82 volts X .17=.82 volts.
- Loosen both T-20 Torx screws attaching the TPS to the throttle body and rotate the TPS until you have achieved your desired output voltage.
- Tighten the screws carefully while watching to see that your output voltage remains where it is supposed to be. If you can’t achieve the correct output voltage, replace the TPS and start over.
TPS ADJUSTMENT FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ISSUES
Renix automatic transmission-equipped XJs and MJs have a TPS with two connectors. There is a flat three-wire connector, same as the manual transmission vehicles have, and it is tested the same as outlined above—FOR ALL ENGINE MANAGEMENT RELATED ISSUES.
However, the automatic TPS also has a square four-wire connector, clearly embossed with the letters A,B,C, and D. It only uses three wires and provides information to the Transmission Control Module. THIS SQUARE FOUR WIRE CONNECTOR IS USED FOR TRANSMISSION/SHIFTING RELATED ISSUES ONLY.
First off, DO NOT UNPLUG THE CONNECTORS!
- KEY ON, measure voltage between “A” positive and “D” ground by back-probing the connector. Note the voltage. This is your REFERENCE voltage.
- Back-probe the connector at wires “B” and “D”. Measure the voltage. This is your OUTPUT voltage.
- Your OUTPUT voltage needs to be eighty-three percent of your REFERENCE voltage. For example 4.8 volts X .83=3.98 volts.
- Adjust the TPS until you have achieved this percentage. If you can’t, replace the TPS and start over.
For those with a MANUAL TRANSMISSION–the TPS for the manual transmission XJs is stupid expensive. You can substitute the automatic transmission TPS which is reasonably priced. The square 4 wire connector is just not used.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 renix
CRUISER'S MOSTLY RENIX TIPS
Before attempting to adjust your TPS, there are a few things that need to be done.
TPS ADJUSTMENT FOR ENGINE ISSUES
Both Renix manual and automatic transmission equipped XJs and MJs have a flat three-wire connector to the TPS which provides data input to the ECU. The three wires in the connector are clearly embossed with the letters A, B, and C. Wire “A” is positive. Wire “B” is ground. DO NOT UNPLUG THE CONNECTORS!
TPS ADJUSTMENT FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ISSUES
Renix automatic transmission-equipped XJs and MJs have a TPS with two connectors. There is a flat three-wire connector, same as the manual transmission vehicles have, and it is tested the same as outlined above—FOR ALL ENGINE MANAGEMENT RELATED ISSUES.
However, the automatic TPS also has a square four-wire connector, clearly embossed with the letters A,B,C, and D. It only uses three wires and provides information to the Transmission Control Module. THIS SQUARE FOUR WIRE CONNECTOR IS USED FOR TRANSMISSION/SHIFTING RELATED ISSUES ONLY.
First off, DO NOT UNPLUG THE CONNECTORS!
For those with a MANUAL TRANSMISSION–the TPS for the manual transmission XJs is stupid expensive. You can substitute the automatic transmission TPS which is reasonably priced. The square 4 wire connector is just not used.
RENIX TPS ADJUSTMENT
OCTOBER 30, 2015 SALAD 205 COMMENTSBefore attempting to adjust your TPS, there are a few things that need to be done.
- Be sure the throttle body has been recently cleaned. It’s especially important that the edges of the throttle butterfly are free of any carbon build-up.
- With the KEY OFF, and using the positive (red) lead of your ohmmeter, set on the lowest scale, probe the B terminal of the flat 3 wire connector of the TPS. The letters are embossed on the connector itself.
- Touch the black lead of your meter to the negative battery post. Wiggle the wiring harness where it parallels the valve cover and also over near the MAP sensor on the firewall.
TPS ADJUSTMENT FOR ENGINE ISSUES
Both Renix manual and automatic transmission equipped XJs and MJs have a flat three-wire connector to the TPS which provides data input to the ECU. The three wires in the connector are clearly embossed with the letters A, B, and C. Wire “A” is positive. Wire “B” is ground. DO NOT UNPLUG THE CONNECTORS!

- KEY ON, measure voltage from “A” positive to “B” ground by back-probing the connectors. Note the voltage reading–this is your REFERENCE voltage.
- KEY ON, back-probe the connector at wires “B” and “C”. Measure the voltage. This is your OUTPUT voltage.
- Your OUTPUT voltage needs to be seventeen percent of your REFERENCE voltage. For example: 4.82 volts X .17=.82 volts.
- Loosen both T-20 Torx screws attaching the TPS to the throttle body and rotate the TPS until you have achieved your desired output voltage.
- Tighten the screws carefully while watching to see that your output voltage remains where it is supposed to be. If you can’t achieve the correct output voltage, replace the TPS and start over.
TPS ADJUSTMENT FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ISSUES
Renix automatic transmission-equipped XJs and MJs have a TPS with two connectors. There is a flat three-wire connector, same as the manual transmission vehicles have, and it is tested the same as outlined above—FOR ALL ENGINE MANAGEMENT RELATED ISSUES.
However, the automatic TPS also has a square four-wire connector, clearly embossed with the letters A,B,C, and D. It only uses three wires and provides information to the Transmission Control Module. THIS SQUARE FOUR WIRE CONNECTOR IS USED FOR TRANSMISSION/SHIFTING RELATED ISSUES ONLY.
First off, DO NOT UNPLUG THE CONNECTORS!
- KEY ON, measure voltage between “A” positive and “D” ground by back-probing the connector. Note the voltage. This is your REFERENCE voltage.
- Back-probe the connector at wires “B” and “D”. Measure the voltage. This is your OUTPUT voltage.
- Your OUTPUT voltage needs to be eighty-three percent of your REFERENCE voltage. For example 4.8 volts X .83=3.98 volts.
- Adjust the TPS until you have achieved this percentage. If you can’t, replace the TPS and start over.
For those with a MANUAL TRANSMISSION–the TPS for the manual transmission XJs is stupid expensive. You can substitute the automatic transmission TPS which is reasonably priced. The square 4 wire connector is just not used.
solenoids are definitely where I would be going next, should be <14 Ohms from connector pin to earth
I think its solenoid 2, if it fails, you have no 2nd or 3rd, it kind of slides from 1st to 4th, surprisingly difficult to notice, feels a bit like slipping
There is almost certainly a Youtube that shows how to do it, connector in engine bay is easiest
I think its solenoid 2, if it fails, you have no 2nd or 3rd, it kind of slides from 1st to 4th, surprisingly difficult to notice, feels a bit like slipping
There is almost certainly a Youtube that shows how to do it, connector in engine bay is easiest
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 renix
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 renix
solenoids are definitely where I would be going next, should be <14 Ohms from connector pin to earth
I think its solenoid 2, if it fails, you have no 2nd or 3rd, it kind of slides from 1st to 4th, surprisingly difficult to notice, feels a bit like slipping
There is almost certainly a Youtube that shows how to do it, connector in engine bay is easiest
I think its solenoid 2, if it fails, you have no 2nd or 3rd, it kind of slides from 1st to 4th, surprisingly difficult to notice, feels a bit like slipping
There is almost certainly a Youtube that shows how to do it, connector in engine bay is easiest
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 279
From: United Kingdom
Year: 1995 RHD
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0l
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 renix
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 279
From: United Kingdom
Year: 1995 RHD
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0l
I'm guessing you've done the job by now but I'm pretty sure the replacements aren't an exact match shape/size wise, and as long as they bolt up correctly, they're good to go.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 renix
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