So brief history. Found out tranny cooling lines (metal) were crushed by the upper suspension arm (Jeep is an idiot for putting the lines there). I cut out the section, flared each metal end, then stuck tranny cooling lines (rubber kind) in place. It got crushed again later and I replaced it. No worries.

This time is a whole different monster. I went out to ocotillo with my friend. Camped. No leaks. Next day we're driving back. Didn't go through anything too crazy. Pull up to something, back up, notice a fluid stain in the sand. Sure enough the line was severed again. We did our best to duct tape and zip tie the thing. I threw a quart of fluid in the transmission. Car wouldn't start after for some reason. (WTF?) We mess around waiting, checking spark, then suddenly it starts up. Continue on, car dies. Wait for 45 minutes. Starts up again. It dies again later. Another person is already bringing a truck and trailer.

Here it gets interesting. We were parked for probably 3 or 4 hours. Start it to get it on the trailer, and I'm having to rev the engine up to 4k RPM just to get it to barely move. Had to make a run at the trailer to get it on.

So my question is what might be wrong. It's acting like a clutch that won't engage when it's supposed to. Someone else said low fluid would cause it. I'm going to reroute those stupid lines, top it off, and see what happens. I'm hoping that's all it is.

 

Did you check the ATF level then? Might have lost enough/all , with trans malfunction/slipping as a result (not explaining the no-start, but the lack of power)

 

It was 100 degrees in the desert and I was at the point of not caring so I haven't checked it yet but I have to reroute that line before I fill it. Don't want it puking anymore out.

 

Could you take some photos of the place where the cooler lines are being crushed and post them here?

Thanks

 

Where the duct tape is located is where the suspension arm hits. You can even see the place where the arm hits the oil pan.

And I also checked the fluid. Bone dry. I'll fill it up once I reroute the lines and see if it solves anything. The Jeep started up fine for me to check the fluid level but I'd have to run it around to see if it dies again. I'm wondering if there's something in the transmission to tell the computer to shut off the car when the fluid is too low? Or transmission too hot? I don't know.

 

That's odd. On my '99 the cooler lines are way inboard (towards the engine) of the upper arms and there's no way they could make contact. Same with the oil pan.

What control arms are installed, OEM, or some aftermarket parts.

 

OEM. I'm surprised the bump stops don't stop it before it gets close but regardless, the lines are in a dumb location.

 

That's not the stock location for the lines.......

They hug the engine oil pan all the way to the front.

 

That is the engine oil pan they're running along. Whenever the suspension compresses on that side enough, the lines get crushed between the upper arm and the oil pan.

They might be sticking out more than normal because of all the crap that has been done to them.

 

They aren't normal and it's not Jeep's fault.

Funny that I've never heard of this before on the millions of XJs and Mjs that are stock......

 

Whoever replaced those lines didn't anticipate suspension travel. That is indeed not the stock location.

Your shutdown issues seem typical of overheating or a sensor failure like the CPS (heat related). The PCM has no mechanism to sense low transmission fluid.

For the future, remember that automatic transmissions are hydraulic systems before they are gear boxes. Fluid level and condition is always the first thing to check.

 

That was my thought exactly lol

 

Yep.

What happened to that cool color avatar you had for a while?

 

I see three distinct problems.

1. Non-starting problem - might be a CPS going out, as already mentioned.
2. Jeep won't move when gassed. Probably low trans fluid.
3. Suspension hits the oil pan????

I don't think that's right! Trans lines or not, I'm pretty sure your control arm should not be hitting your oil pan!

 

Which one, the other Jeep one? Or the one that was actual fruit snacks? Lol