Stuck in 1st gear first 20MPH

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 29, 2016 | 07:40 PM

CesarBartz

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Jan 2016

Posts: 11

Likes: 0

From: Rio de Janeiro

Year: 1996

Model: Grand Cherokee

Engine: 5.2 V8

Stuck in 1st gear first 20MPH

Folks,

I dont think this is a malfunction, as it is very repetitive...

My ZJ (5.2L) gets "stuck" in 1st gear until I first cross 20MPH speed the 1st time after starting. This happens all the time, even if I stop and re-start hot. I have a regular 4-speed auto transmission.

Nothing mentioned in the manual, as far as I remember...

Anyone seen this? A bit anoying because traffic in city is bad, really bad and sometimes it takes some blocks to be able to cross 20MPH. My exhaust is a bit "opened" compared to the stock - I "just" removed the muffler, so only the catalythic converter muffles a bit. Not an anoying noise (shall I say "sound" or "music"?).

Thanks,

Cesar

Apr 29, 2016 | 07:55 PM

dave1123

Old fart with a wrench

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 14,398

Likes: 740

From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY

Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo

Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)

Engine: 4.0L

Check your transmission throttle control cable to see if it's broken or disconnected. The 1-2 shift is mechanical and the 2-3 and 3-4 are electrical.

Apr 30, 2016 | 11:32 AM

bobvalli

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 501

Likes: 2

From: Connecticut

Year: 98

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0l

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave1123

Check your transmission throttle control cable to see if it's broken or disconnected. The 1-2 shift is mechanical and the 2-3 and 3-4 are electrical.

Had this problem with mine. Turned out it was the pressure governor solenoid in the transmission. Drop the pan, it's right there. $40 bucks....done deal.