jeepjerk123

1993 jeep grand cherokee LT 4wd, 4.0ltr 6cyl engine

Just the other day while backing the jeep out of the garage something really strange happened to my transmission.

Seems like all the shift points moved.

Park is now reverse. But locked of course and the engine dies.

Reverse is now neutral and neutral is now drive.

Checked the cable and it's still attached properly to transmission and lever.

It's not the NSS switch, it tried to start in park but because it's now reverse it won't start.

Will start in neutral like it should, but lurches forward and will take off if you don't hit the brake.

Can someone tell me what happened here?

I didn't try to drive the car because I thought I would damage the trany further.

Anyone have anything I can try?

Bustedback

Could be something broken in the shift lever, really can't tell without looking at it.

jeepjerk123

The shift lever is attached to the cable. The cable moves with the lever and the actuator arm on the transmission moves back a forth as it should.

What do you think would be broken on the lever that would cause this?

Bustedback

You would have to pull off the bezel around the shifter and take a look. It just pops off...carefully.

jeepjerk123

Yes I took off the bezel. Everything looks fine. I don't see any broken and I don't see anything to adjust.

ol"blue

The cable can be adjusted at the transmission end.
Block the wheels. Raise and support the vehicle on jackstands.
Release the cable housing from the shift cable bracket, then unsnap the shift cable adjuster clamp to unlock the cable.
Be sure the shift lever on the trans is all the way to the rear, in the last detent. This is the Park position.
Make sure the Park lock is engaged by trying to rotate the driveshaft. It will not rotate if the Park lock is functioning properly.
Snap the shift cable housing into the bracket, then press down on the adjuster clamp until it snaps in place to lock the shift cable.
Lower the vehicle.
With the parking brake applied, make sure it only starts in Park and Neutral.
If the linkage appears to be adjusted properly, but the starter operates in positions other than Park and Neutral, check the Park/Neutral position switch. (NSS)
And Welcome to CF.

jeepjerk123

Thanks ol blue for all that good info.

I'm still not sure the cable is out of adjustment.

I decided to drive the jeep a little today. We are on a farm so I have plenty of fields to drive around on.

I started it in neutral. It won't start in park because I think in some gear there. The parking pawl is engaged though and it can't move.

At first neutral seemed like neutral, but then after a few seconds it started to go forward in neutral.

Ok so I put it into drive. It shifted through first and second.

Then I got up the nerve to try it on the gravel road.
The transmission shifted through all the forward gears normally.
I tried down shifting using 2 and 1. All seemed normal.

But there still is no reverse in the "R" position. It almost seems like another forward gear, but not. Sometimes it will bog the engine in reverse and then lets up????

So maybe all this will give someone some more clues.

thanks

jeepjerk123

well I guess off to the dealer thursday

ol"blue

I'd at least adjust the cable first. Doesn't cost anything.

jeepjerk123

Why do you think it needs adjustment?

The transmission goes fully into park in the park detent and the pawl locks up the transmission.

shigshosho

hey, i have a 1996 jeep cherokee, 4.0 L, H.O. auto 2wd. i bought the jeep over a year ago still as is, put over 10,000 miles on it, it dont have reverse, all the gears are in the right postion still, but it dont have reverse, runs great and very strong and fast haha.. but when you put the jeep in reverse, the motor idle's down like its trying to engage in reverse, but nothing, the motor dont cut out none, revs up fine while in reverse..on very level ground, the jeep will slowly roll back, but i have not even touched it haha..i paid 500 dollars and already got my moneys worth.. but im gonna try to drop the tranny pan, and adjust the rear clutch band screw.. who knows..but anybody heard of this issue.. thanks..

SeriousOffroad

You need a rebuild.

shigshosho

FrankZ, was you talking to me, or Jeepjerk123... or both lol... i just now get on cause i work a mid, ( 2nd/3rd shift) so i hop on before bed. ill check back later this afternoon, also i think it would be pretty easy, but if i replace the transmission, i think i might convert it to a 4wd.. or is that honestly harder then it seems.... i only have 500 dollars in the jeep, but its gonna be my everyday driver, cheaper on gas then my 89 mustang gt, with 6 miles to the gallon... anywho, yall have a great friday... thanks, Shig

Bustedback

The swap to 4wd is as easy as it gets. Trans with a t-case, front drive shaft, and a front axle with a matching ratio as the rear, bolt it all in and you're done.

nukinfuts29

Try adjusting the cable as mentioned. The transmission is shifting properly, so logically we all think its a miscommunication in the shifter linkage ie needs adjustment. Like someone else said, it don't cost anything.