ZJ GRAND CHEROKEE 5.2L AWD automatic

Problems we are having is that when u go from park or reverse to drive it does not go into gear and acts like it is in neutral
If u go from park or reverse to 2nd gear it drives fine (up to the end of 2nd gear)

We normally put the car in 2nd gear.. pull out of the drive way, put it in drive and BAMM.. no issues ever...

What would cause this?

bad trans
bad trans fluid/filter (no I have not changed it yet)
linkage that needs adjustment (if this is possible)

Let me know of any problems you may know of.. this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Man nobody knows... I'm worried lol

 

On your '94 I'd say it's the Transmission Control Module since it works in 2nd gear. The TCM is under the left side of the dash to the left of the steering column.
Dan

 

Well it works in drive just not direct from park. If u go in 2nd first, then to drive it works and drives fine in drive gear.

I'm gonna change the filter and fluid today.

 

Might have some sticky spool valves and hard seals. Make sure you use the correct Mopar recomended ATF listed in the owners manual.

 

Sounds electric, I'd go with Blue's advice.

 

My guess is electrical too, but with over 220k and I've had it for almost a year I should still change the fluid and filter..
Stick says atf+
I'm using +4

 

Changing the fluid and filter might help, and definitely can't hurt.

 

I apologize everyone I forgot to list the most important problem with the transmission. This is what made me think of a selector adjustment problem.

Sometimes when in park its like its not all the way in gear and the truck will begin to roll back.. when it does u can hear a loud "click click click" almost like if the selector is between park and reverse.

Any ideas?

Btw I did change the filter and fluid. It was not horrible, may ride a touch better.

 

Sounds like the linkage may need adjusting or if there's bushings there they may need replacing. I believe OverlandXJ said the older ZJ's had an AW4 trans and therefore your NSS might need cleaning. If I'm not mistaken it helps control the shifting as well as the starting and reverse lights. I may just be having brain fade though.
Here's a link on how to clean/rebuild the NSS. http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoNSSrebuild.htm
Well at least you have clean fluid & filter.

 

Any writeup on how to adjust it, I'm gonna look at it this weekend

 

I only have 2 links regarding the NSS. This one: http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoNSSrebuild.htm,which I posted earlier, and this one: http://www.jeepin.com/features/nss/index.asp
I have more info in my home comp. but I'm stuck using this lap-top and can't access my files/info right now. Sorry.
Dan