Two years ago I purchased a 1994 Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2L V8. Aside from performance exhaust and regular oil changes, not much had been done with her. I've replaced tires, brakes, hoses, belts, etc.

Now I'm having issues with my transmission. Shifting from 1st to 2nd is really sticky. All other gears appear fine. My question is, is it worth trying a conditioner to see if that buys me some time or should I just replace the entire transmission?

Anyone else with this specific make/model have any other insights into what I should be expecting as far as issues? My last Jeep was also a '94 but I had the 4.0L engine.

 

Welcome to CF!

How many miles you got on it and has the fluid and filter ever been changed?

 

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Miles: 154,000+/-
New filter and fluid.

I am the 4th owner of this Jeep. The first was a tech school that used it to run parts. The second was an older gentleman that kept it in his garage and only drove it minimally during the winter (20 years of oil change receipts seem to confirm this), and the guy I bought it from had it one year and then decided to move somewhere warmer.

There are electrical issues that I'm ignoring for the moment. The last owner replaced a couple of things incorrectly and since I purchased it, I have been slowing replacing the little things here and there. The radiator hose I replaced last month still had factory stickers on it, so when the guy said "all original"... he wasn't joking!

 

Is that new "TRANNY" fluid and filter?

1st and 2nd are usually the first to go.

It is always a good idea to inspect your fluids(oil,tranny,brake,coolant,etc) for contaminants, fluid discoloration, or sparkles. Sparkles in the coolant, usually is a strong sign of overheating/headgasket problems.

Sparkles in the Tranny aren't necessarily terrible. These are tiny shavings of the synchros/mesh gears, within the transmission. If you should find these shavings in your transmission, often a true, and HONEST mechanic, will tell you the shavings are probably holding the synchros together.

A fluid swap and filter change could flush all the shavings that are "gluing" the gears together, and cause more problems than you had before.

So unless you are already having major transmission issues, normally just leave it alone, or maybe a partial drain. Then top off with a stop slip additive.

I hope its not too late for your Transmission, but from experience, before you sink too much into saving the tranny, you may just have it inspected and replaced.

 

I'm sorry, but I have a strong feeling about transmission additives. In most cases they may help for a short while, but in the long run, they cause more problems that they cure. Mopar certified ATF+4 is all you should EVER use in a jeep automatic transmission other than the AW4. If it doesn't work with that, you should think about rebuilding or replacing it. JMHO however.

BTW, there are no "synchros" in an automatic. All the gears are in constant mesh and the clutches engage the proper gearset for each gear.

 

Thanks for the advice! I had a feeling that eventually a new transmission was in my future, so I think I'll just deal with it for as long as I can.

I'm not as familiar with the 5.0L V8 engine, but I've heard that it is a beast and will last awhile, so I'm not too worried about dropping the money for a new transmission when the time comes.

Appreciate the help!

 

On my old '94 5.2L ZJ, it had the exact issue you're talking about when I bought it, I put Lucas Oil Transmission Leak Stop-Fix into the transmission fluid compartment and it stopped slipping almost immediately. Ask for it by name at your local auto parts store, and if they don't have it in-stock (mine didn't), they'll order it for you! Hope this fixes your issue!

 

The 5.2L engine is a Dodge 318 and has been around quite a while. It's a good strong motor.

 

Thanks! I'm going to look into the Lucas Oil Transmission Leak Stop-Fix. Seems like a good first step.

 

Well, as I said, I believe it's a stop-gap measure that might work for awhile.

 

If it buys me some time to save up for a new tranny, then I'm happy.

 

I know I'm reviving a very old post. But how did that go?
BTW I think the guy meant Lucas Transmission Stop-Slip not stop leak, that's a different type of additive that wouldn't help your transmission problem.
You can also open the transmission pan remove & replace pickup filter and screw in return filter then check your solenoid pack, the pressure governor, shift solenoid can be your transmission issue. If it's old or malfunctioning that electronic component can cause issues with PCM/ECU communications and cause strange shifting symptoms. I've seen many with 1-2 gears malfunctioning in different ways only to completely fix after changing valve body solenoids and shift pressure gov. ONLY USE OEM solenoids and shift packs.
it's my general rule of thumb, when I'm changing sensors or important electrical components I stick with factory OEM brand from a trusted supplier. No aftermarket.
I've seen even well known good brands that had ignition coil wires reversed. And that's a simple example of how aftermarket brands don't understand the critical role, function and design of your make, model, engine and transmission the way OE manufacturer does.

But when it comes to suspension, steering, brakes, wheels, and cooling system components I go Aftermarket (MOOG tie rods/control arms/sway bar links and bushings, Mevotech ball joints, Delphi ignition coils, Denso Radiator is the OEM of WJ, Champion Spark Plugs 439 copper on 4.7l WJ, Spectra Premium Radiator top 5 in radiators.)
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