Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
Browse all: General Overview
- Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ 1999 to 2004 Crash Test and Safety Ratings
Important Information to help you understand your Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Browse all: General Overview
XJ Ask the Question Thread
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 2
From: Quebec
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
as simple as that? so if i'm doing 70 i can shift to "3" and it won't do a kind of "money shift"? i was always too scared to try at that speed. after 5 years and I'm still learning new stuff! thanks
Moderator of Jeeps
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 3
From: Frederick, MD from Cleveland, OH
Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
Regarding what he said about overdrive:
Without a transmission, your axle would be powered directly by the engine. The higher your RPMs, the faster you go. If your engine slows down, you slow down. That would be a 1:1 ratio because they're directly linked. Instead, your transmission has multiple gears, and each one is a different ratio.
The lowest gear (1st) has the highest ratio. For the sake of easy numbers, let's say the transmission's input shaft (from the engine) spins 5x for every rotation of the output shaft (to the transfer case). That's a 5:1 ratio first gear.
It shifts to second, and now it's a 3:1 ratio. This let's it keep spinning the tires at the same speed, but you see your RPMs drop to match the new ratio. Now as your RPMs climb, you go faster than before because of the different ratio.
It shifts up to third gear, and now the input shaft is spinning at a 1.5:1 ratio, relative to the transmission's output shaft. Now you're still accelerating, but your engine RPMs dropped again because the ratio changed.
You hit fourth gear, and now the ratio is 0.8:1 and the output is actually spinning *faster* than the input. That's overdrive.
Those numbers are totally made up for simplicity.
No, I don't lick fish.



Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,169
Likes: 26
From: Northern Kentucky
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I don't know what "money shift" is, but 3rd gear will be fine for any highway speed. Conversly, if your TV cable is properly adjusted, you'll only need to push the throttle down about half way to get it to kick out of overdrive into passing gear. But either way works fine.
Herp Derp Jerp

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
3rd gear is 1:1 in AW4s, for reference.
"Money shift"? It will jump RPM as the vehicle's momentum forces the engine to turn faster... is that what you mean? It's just like downshifting on a manual.
"Money shift"? It will jump RPM as the vehicle's momentum forces the engine to turn faster... is that what you mean? It's just like downshifting on a manual.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 11
From: Laurium, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Yeah just watch out for that 1-2 setting...dumbest idea ever. I only allows 1rst or 2nd and the transmissions reasoning is psychotic(on mine anyways). 3 allows gears 1 through 3. I like on my ZJ that the shifter goes D->2->1 and there's a button to disable 4th that way you can "force" what gear you actually want. Also keep in mind the faster you press the gas peddle the more likely the transmission is to downshift too. That's part of the kickdown cable function as well. If it gets pressed quickly I think it opens valving(similar principle to a shock absorber press it hard and it puts up more resistance, opening the valve, press it slow and it'll easily extend) and also depending upon throttle position.
Edit: senior members please correct me if I have anything backwards/wrong. Haven't researched this stuff recently and I there's not enough coffee/monster in the world to keep me functioning fully while I'm travelling for work.
Edit: senior members please correct me if I have anything backwards/wrong. Haven't researched this stuff recently and I there's not enough coffee/monster in the world to keep me functioning fully while I'm travelling for work.
Last edited by rcguymike; Oct 24, 2016 at 02:55 PM.
Hmmm... that power loss has me a little stumped. I do think it's pointing to the fan motor though. Reason being is, the "stuck" motor is pulling more amps to try and get itself "unstuck" and drawing more power from the battery - which powers your fuel pump, injectors, and of course sends power to the computer as well. I don't know that the amp draw would be serious enough for that, BUT that's what I'm theorizing at this point.
Where are you located? I have one sitting in my garage with around the same amount of mileage as what's showing on yours right now.
Where are you located? I have one sitting in my garage with around the same amount of mileage as what's showing on yours right now.
In all honesty, I thought about doing a milage change to make the one local match, but I just dont trust junkyard cars. My jeep mileage is "exempt" anyway, but I kinda want her to ear that million miles honestly lol.
Last edited by default; Oct 24, 2016 at 03:12 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 2
From: Quebec
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
You don't have to floor it. Just apply more throttle until it kicks down, and go. You'll get a feel for how much it takes.
Regarding what he said about overdrive:
Without a transmission, your axle would be powered directly by the engine. The higher your RPMs, the faster you go. If your engine slows down, you slow down. That would be a 1:1 ratio because they're directly linked. Instead, your transmission has multiple gears, and each one is a different ratio.
The lowest gear (1st) has the highest ratio. For the sake of easy numbers, let's say the transmission's input shaft (from the engine) spins 5x for every rotation of the output shaft (to the transfer case). That's a 5:1 ratio first gear.
It shifts to second, and now it's a 3:1 ratio. This let's it keep spinning the tires at the same speed, but you see your RPMs drop to match the new ratio. Now as your RPMs climb, you go faster than before because of the different ratio.
It shifts up to third gear, and now the input shaft is spinning at a 1.5:1 ratio, relative to the transmission's output shaft. Now you're still accelerating, but your engine RPMs dropped again because the ratio changed.
You hit fourth gear, and now the ratio is 0.8:1 and the output is actually spinning *faster* than the input. That's overdrive.
Those numbers are totally made up for simplicity.
Regarding what he said about overdrive:
Without a transmission, your axle would be powered directly by the engine. The higher your RPMs, the faster you go. If your engine slows down, you slow down. That would be a 1:1 ratio because they're directly linked. Instead, your transmission has multiple gears, and each one is a different ratio.
The lowest gear (1st) has the highest ratio. For the sake of easy numbers, let's say the transmission's input shaft (from the engine) spins 5x for every rotation of the output shaft (to the transfer case). That's a 5:1 ratio first gear.
It shifts to second, and now it's a 3:1 ratio. This let's it keep spinning the tires at the same speed, but you see your RPMs drop to match the new ratio. Now as your RPMs climb, you go faster than before because of the different ratio.
It shifts up to third gear, and now the input shaft is spinning at a 1.5:1 ratio, relative to the transmission's output shaft. Now you're still accelerating, but your engine RPMs dropped again because the ratio changed.
You hit fourth gear, and now the ratio is 0.8:1 and the output is actually spinning *faster* than the input. That's overdrive.
Those numbers are totally made up for simplicity.
Last edited by Cane; Oct 24, 2016 at 04:55 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 2
From: Quebec
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
alright, back home i pop the hood and the button that you need to press in order to adjust the tv cable is stuck there, it won't budge. does pb blaster help with plastic too? not sure if i should force more than i did, would hate to break it
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: Jax, FL
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Had that same problem on my dad's. I let is soak in PB for weeks and still wouldn't budge with all my weight and a screw driver to center my efforts. Was afraid of breaking it.
Remove the cables from the throttle body and removed the assembly. Underneath is a piece of that button where you can get a bite with some needle nose or small pliers. Looks like the rust swells in the plastic and freezes the moving metal part. Use your lube and go slow. Might have to use alternating pliers and button pressure from above but it'll break free. Be patient.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 2
From: Quebec
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
while you were posting i was checking exactly this and i noticed the metal clip under it which is indeed pretty rusty. so just so i get this right, do i need to remove this metal piece and put it back on or it can't be removed, just break it free from the rust with the pliers?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: Jax, FL
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
while you were posting i was checking exactly this and i noticed the metal clip under it which is indeed pretty rusty. so just so i get this right, do i need to remove this metal piece and put it back on or it can't be removed, just break it free from the rust with the pliers?




