We replaced the transmission in our 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. Everything is almost all hooked back up but now the transmission is bound up and won't budge. Any suggestions on what it can be or something we may have missed? Thanks

 

Welcome to CF!

I would guess the torque converter isn't installed properly with the drive tangs engaging the pump. The converter should spin freely when the trans is bolted to the engine. If not, it's not far enough back. I sincerely hope you didn't damage the pump. I'd be willing to bet you installed it with the torque converter mounted on the engine, didn't you. WRONG! That's a good way to bend the input shaft as well.

It's a common mistake, but can be costly. Pull it back out, take off the torque converter and place it on the trans input shaft, sliding it back as much as you can. Then measure the distance from the bellhousing to the converter drive bolt bosses. Compare that with the distance from the engine block to the back of the drive plate. The trans measurement should be about 3/16" more than the engine distance. If not, rotate the torque converter back and forth quickly while pushing it back until it engages the pump drive. After you bolt up the engine/trans, check to be sure the torque converter spins. THEN put in the converter drive bolts. If you're good, you can seat the converter just by loosening the bellhousing bolts, taking out the converter drive bolts and trying to spin the converter. You may have to put in long bolts to open it up far enough to do this, but it can be done.

One other thing. DO NOT FIRE UP the engine until you put fluid in the trans. That too could damage the pump.