The car is a '95 Cherokee country.

As the title says, the car (from park) is starting off in third gear. I am able to go through all the gears if I do it manually. However yesterday after shifting from the 1-2 setting back to D, the car acted as it should for the rest of the duration of that ride. I have checked the resistances of all three shift solenoids and they each read about 13.5 ohms. I have also sprayed the connectors with contact cleaner in the engine bay and checked for any blown fuses. Transmission fluid is also where it should be.

A little while ago I had an issue with my gear shift lever where the car was not recognizing that it was in park and therefore wouldn't start. I had to shift from park to drive back and forth a few times (thinking maybe a switch had shorted inside the lever?) and then the car started up right away after that. Is there some kind of electrical switch in the gear shift lever that might be getting shorted out between the D and third gear settings?

Some people have told me to check the solenoids (which I did), others have said to replace my TCM (which I have on the way now), and others have brought up the TPS (which I have not replaced). I am kind of stumped and any help is appreciated.

 

Have you check the transmission speed sensor ?

 

Is this also referred to as the VSS (vehicle speed sensor)? When I first got the car I changed this part. If the transmission speed sensor is another part I haven't check it yet.

 

Is this also referred to as the VSS (vehicle speed sensor)? When I first got the car I changed this part. If the transmission speed sensor is another part I haven't check it yet.

 

You're likely starting in 4th gear, which is what you get if the TCM has no power or the #1 solenoid is failing.

A bad trans output speed sensor won't make it start in 4th. That just causes failure to upshift out of 1st because there is no indication you're moving. VSS is a different sensor in the xfer case used for the speedo. The TPS can cause erratic shifting or failure to upshift, but not starting in the wrong gear. A solenoid can measure good cold and still be failing once it's hot. It's possible, but pretty rare that the TCM is bad. Have you checked that the #1 solenoid is getting power from the TCM with the key-on and not moving? Have you checked the throttle body->trans cable? That can cause sluggish or even lack of shifting too.

My bet is on the #1 solenoid being bad, though

 

Here's something to do in the meantime. CRUISER'S MOSTLY RENIX TIPS

TRANSMISSION CONNECTOR REFRESHING

OCTOBER 30, 2015 SALAD 24 COMMENTS EDIT



Over near the transmission dipstick tube are 2 rather large connectors. One is black and goes to the NSS and the gray connector goes to the transmission itself
. These 2 connectors carry all the info between TPS, TCU, NSS, speed sensor, and transmission solenoids.

Unplug each one, visually inspect for corrosion or bent pins, spray them out with electrical contact cleaner and plug them back in.

Additionally, if your Jeep is an ’87 to ’90 Renix, it’s always a good idea to reach up under the glovebox area and unplug the connector to the TCU and spray it out along with the receptacle of the TCU. While you’re there, find the fuse right in that area for the TCU. Remove it and spray out it’s receptacle and clean any corrosion from the fuse.