I have a 1996 XJ with an automatic transmission. Earlier today I was out in the snow and I drove into a drainage ditch and got stuck. I was on the gas, in and out of drive and reverse for a good half hour. I also tried to get it into 4-lo but that didn't happen. After I got pulled out, it would not go into first gear, as well as overdrive. I think during half the time I was stuck it did not go into first gear as well because I noticed a large decrease in torque. Is there some kind of automatic override if the transmission heats up too much? After I turned it off and back on again it worked fine, but I'm really puzzled why this happened. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Lucas

 

Might have cooked your fluid. Drain some out and replace it. Inspect the old stuff, and judge.

 

Yup. There is no "override".

 

You could have broken a trans line as well, did you see any fluid when you were pulled out? I looked at a XJ last week that had the same thing and broke them on the culvert, slight body damage.

 

I will do that. Thanks

 

I figured the wasn't, it was just very odd.

 

I checked around afterwards, no broken lines or fluids, but thanks.