Hello, all new to the forum here. My apologies if i posted in the wrong area. I did do several searches prior to posting however wasn't successful in my search. Recently purchased a cherokee with some tranny issues. Starts up just fine, shifts into reverse no problem. When putting into drive, 1-2 or 3 nothing happens. Feels like stuck in neutral. Any ideas what could be causing this? Possibly dirty filter or Solenoids? Torque converter? Trans fluid appears to be at level and clean.

1989 Jeep Cherokee Laredo
4.0 engine
AW4 transmission

 

I would hope for you that it's the solenoids or associated harness circuitry. The other options suck. Have you dropped the pan yet? Well next time you do service the transmission flush the fluid completely cooler line included, new filter, and gasket. The three solenoids are easy to pull out to clean and bench test with multimeter and also you can energize them with a 9volt battery or something to check for smooth plunger movement. Check your connectors while they're unplugged. If you have long multimeter leads you can test the circuit from the connectors all the way back to the TCM. And hope the TCM isn't faulty. You can buy all three solenoids as a kit for pretty cheap. Don't forget to check the magnets in your pan. They hold valuable information regarding the condition of the tranny. Some fine powder is normal. Clean the pan out. I'd just put the new solenoids in also. After you complete all that you'll know if your problems are resolved or if you have a major malfunction for a few dollars.

 

thank you for the info, im pretty handy wrenching on my vehicles and doing body work but digging into engines and trannies i am no expert in. Id feel more comfortable letting someone more experienced in that line checking those areas you mentioned. I thank you for suggesting some items that could be wrong. ill be sure to have these things looked at when i get it into a shop. Im hoping its some of the more minor things you mentioned rather than a whole rebuild or replacement


thank you again, very much appreciated

 

No problem! If you can drop the tranny pan then you can do this but do your thing. Be careful, don't let them jack you, this type of mechanical issue is a mechanics dream on f_cking people. ✌️

 

hmmm maybe its worth giving a shot, ill see if i can find some videos in youtube or info on the forum to do the flush, filter and solenoids. thank you again

 

by chance do you know where i can buy the kit you mentioned? watched a video online doesnt look hard to do

 

It's extremely simple. You'll be more satisfied and gain some knowledge doing it yourself. The hardest/time consuming part is removing the old gasket maker if gasket maker was used last. From now on you can use a gasket not the gasket maker junk. Next time you service you won't have to mess around scraping that stuff off. Just do a search like this picture and make sure you're getting the kit that matches the your tranny. The number is stamped or engraved on the transmission somewhere. Enjoy!

 

You may want to try disconnecting the TCM and then see what the transmission does. You will have to manually "shift" it. This will let you know if you have a mechanical problem or and electrical problem.

 

If it's not doing *anything* in any of the forward gears, it's probably not the solenoids. A bad solenoid will cause it to be in the wrong gear. For first gear, only the #1 solenoid is engaged and if that's bad it will be in 4th gear at takeoff and feel like it's slipping real bad, versus doing nothing. I would also verify that the cable from the throttle body to the transmission is intact and adjusted properly.

 

I had to work hard at my stubborness with regards to over think things....Older XJ's are plagued with bad grounds & connections that need refreshing...Start with the easy first....Unplug connections to components clean, spray with electrical cleaner & reattach making sure you have a good connection.....9 out of 10 times your problem is corrected.....Always refer to cruiser 54 Renix Tips........