Hello all,

Here's what I'm working with..
1995 Cherokee Sport
4.0 Auto AW4

Basically, since I swapped over a different motor after my original blew I've had issues with this transmission. When cold, it would take a while for the trans to shift to 2nd. It would have to rev to around 3k rpm until it shifted. Once, warm it would work flawlessly. And other times it would start out in 2nd gear when cold.

Issue now, I was driving and it was slipping between shifts. Then, towards the end of driving it barely could move itself, it would only rev up. It doesn't move in any gear(D,3,1-2,R,4WD gears). It stays put in Park.

Things done:
Checked trans fluid(DEX3) Appears good(smell,color,level)-No leaks
Tried adjusting Kickdown cable.
Removed 10A Auto Trans fuse from fuse box in engine bay.

After I let it sit for a few hours, I removed that fuse and adjusted the cable. And it began to move again, however shortly after it went back to no movement. When it did manage to move itself, it almost felt like it was vibrating underneath me as it was trying to go, almost like it was on a rumble strip on a highway.

I've read a few possibilities for trans issues...
Fluid level/burnt/wrong fluid- Checked, appears good
Torque Converter
Kickdown cable - I've tried adjusting
TCM - Could this cause the issue?
TPS - Would that cause this issue?
Brake switch - How do I check this?
NSS- It will start in neutral & Park
And of course, bad trans.

Any help with this would be much appreciated, since its winter I need this vehicle

 

If it smells like dog $hit, and it looks like dog $hit, then its prolly not gonna taste good on pumpkin pie...

id call it a bad trans and just swap it

 

You left out some critical information such as how many miles on the transmissions and how well has it been maintained? Aside from electronic components, it takes a lot to bring down an AW4 to its knees but amazingly enough a lot of folks out there seem to mange that feat...

 

Any chance that you failed to index the converter properly?

 

I have no personal experience with it on an XJ, but from what I've read, I'd do some research on testing/adjusting the TPS. Seems suspicious that your trans would just happen to die at the same time you swapped engines.

 

I'm no expert, and auto trans is included in what I don't know. It does seem that the fluid will wreak and look bad when something is toast. Just a couple thoughts. I guess there are 3 solonoids, one to lock the T-converter, and two more for shifting, and they DO go bad, (as well as wires or connections). Really I can't help on that except to maybe check/clean the wiring plugs there behind the dipstick. I guess there are tests. An honest trany shop, (), might diagnose and help there....

Also you might pull the pan and see if the filter is all mucked up. I suppose if it were plugged up you might not be going far!

Anyway I'd check that stuff at least before swapping, especially since the fluid looks-smells OK. Bummer man! Good luck!

OH, AND, pull the little inspection plate on the bottom/front of the bell housing and check that the TC to TP bolts are there...no harm in that since you will pull that plate anyway.

 

As far as condition of the transmission, I'm unsure. It was removed out of a rotted out XJ. I never had any issues with it, other than the cold running 1st to 2nd shift.

Update:

I unplugged the TCM and ran through the gears while running.
1-2: 1st
3: 3rd
D: Final gear
R: Reverse
P: Park

Also, tried unplugging the TPS while running and all it did was make it run like crap.
Checked fluid yet again, It isn't dark maybe like a light brown or a mix between red/brown. It's hard for me to tell(I'm colorblind ) Doesn't smell horrid, basically like ran through trans fluid.
Also, adjusted cable yet again to see if I made an error there.
After unplugging the TCM & TPS, I plugged them back in and disconnected my battery to clear codes. Waited a few minutes and reconnected. Fired it up, and it drove in all gears. Also, tried each gear with foot on the brake and pressed the gas. It was trying to torque the Jeep. I've always thought, when something was shot, it was indeed that..shot.
Any ideas? Electrical? Mechanical?

 

I've had, (other) filters that would allow some flow after sitting a while, then plug up again. I'm pretty dense on these, but checking/changing the filter is one thing I CAN do.

Also I've seen posted quite a bit that a PCM needs overnight, 6-8 hrs for the capacitors to bleed sown or some such. Don't know but it's easy enough!

 

One thing I've been pondering from searching, is the TPS.

Other symptoms I've been having, are running rich, sputtering when cold, light backfiring.

I feel it's running rich, because I where I have my tailpipe routed, there is a black mark from "soot" where the outlet is. I really am doubting that this transmission has bit the bullet, since all these issues came out of no where, and don't believe transmissions just fail immediately without much warning.

The transmission fluid & filter have about 5k miles on them, give or take a couple hundred miles, using FRAM filter & DEX3 atf.

 

.......You should fill in your info so we don't need to look to see you have a 95. That TPS is not adjustable. Knowing the trans filter is new helps.

" Then, towards the end of driving it barely could move itself, it would only rev up. It doesn't move in any gear(D,3,1-2,R,4WD gears)"

Over my head how the thing could be in "nearly neutral"....I mean that might not be the electronics...don't know.

"The transmission fluid & filter have about 5k miles on them". Maybe there was trouble before?

 

Well, to put it simple. Your trans is not creating pressure to shift or lock the torque converter. The first thing about the 1st to 2nd shift issue screams to me that your fluid is done, game over. Trans fluid is hydraulic fluid, over time it loses its ability to work and pressurize, it gets too thin. There is additives out there that claim to help slipping trans. It sounds like your issue is fluid. Would suggest to bleed out some of the fluid and add in fresh and see if it makes a difference you would be surprised what the easy fixes will do.

 

-DFlintstone, sorry didn't know I could add info about my Jeep there haha! Updated!
The only reason it has fresh fluid & filter in it was because, it was swapped into my current Jeep. I figured since it was out, I might as well put a new filter & gasket in to be safe.

-textherex, Is it possible the fluid would be shot already with that low of mileage on it? The jeep doesn't get driven very often, and doesn't do any towing or heavy work other than basic wheeling.

 

Mileage isn't the only thing that wears fluid, age does it as well.

 

#1 killer of transmission fluid is heat, you can smoke Trans fluid in under a 100 miles pretty easy.I will post up a chart later(on app now)

 

I'm guessing he messed up the Trans pump, while installing the motor and tq converter.