transmission wont shift out of first
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From: long island NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
the title says it. its a 2001 grand Cherokee with 160xxx I had the trans rebuilt almost a year ago because it lost reverse. now today my mom was pulling out of a gas station and it would not shift out of first. the check engine light is not on,and I don't posses a code reader.could this be limp mode? or possibly something other than the transmission ,maybe a sensor im at a loss right now, any input would be appreciated, thanks
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From: long island NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
im not sure if the solenoids were replaced, Im going to ask my mechanic tomarrow. that's one of the possible solutions ive come across using google so far. I have it parked at my brothers house about 4 miles from me, im trying to gather information before I go back over there and look at it again. im going to check the cables on the throttle body when I go there. could the input and output speed sensors cause this?
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: long island NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
so I looked at it last night and the cables on the throttle body seem ok, I cant find a writeup on adjusting the tv cabe I think it is, as far as I know that controls how hard or soft the shifts are. I know how to adjust the one on my Cherokee but this one is a little different. I also realized its a holiday weekend and my mechanic probably isn't around today so it looks like im on my own till Monday or Tuesday.
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Thread Starter
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From: long island NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
if it turns out to be more than a sensor or bad wire I might just have to wait for him, because im not very knowledgeable about these things.
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From: long island NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
I just wanted to throw an update on here I bought a transmission filter, btw its a 42rfe transmission. I had it at my mechanics so I just gave it to him with 5 quarts of atf+4. this did not fix the problem so he called the guy who rebuilt the trans. the transmission guy said to buy an output speed sensor so I did at the stealership and just dropped it off. I know its a real simple part to install but its already at the shop so I just said whatever. Im waiting to hear back this afternoon. one thing to note is it shifts fine when its cold but after two or three cycles through the gears it drops back to first.
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From: long island NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
ok here it goes, the transmission guy took it back and replaced the governor pressure sensor and solenoid. now it shifts through all the gears which is good, but I have another problem.
now when I drive it its fine for the first 10-30 minutes until it warms up. after its warm and you come to a complete stop it doesn't seem to shift all the way down to first. it seems to start in second or third gear. also when you get real close to a complete stop(5-10 mph) it bucks a tiny bit. it also does this when you are fully stopped and sitting at a light, it almost feels like getting gently rear ended. I think its the trans trying to shift into first and going back to second or third instead. I bought and replaced the tps today from the dealership but that didn't help with this particular problem. I also got under it and checked what wires I could find running from the trans but I could not find anything frayed or broken. so if there is any transmission guru's around tonight I would appreciate a little input, just anything to point me in the right direction.
thanks, jon
now when I drive it its fine for the first 10-30 minutes until it warms up. after its warm and you come to a complete stop it doesn't seem to shift all the way down to first. it seems to start in second or third gear. also when you get real close to a complete stop(5-10 mph) it bucks a tiny bit. it also does this when you are fully stopped and sitting at a light, it almost feels like getting gently rear ended. I think its the trans trying to shift into first and going back to second or third instead. I bought and replaced the tps today from the dealership but that didn't help with this particular problem. I also got under it and checked what wires I could find running from the trans but I could not find anything frayed or broken. so if there is any transmission guru's around tonight I would appreciate a little input, just anything to point me in the right direction.

thanks, jon
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2012
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From: long island NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
im almost positive he just did the solenoid when he did the gov press sensor, but im going there tomarrow so ill question him more on it then. thanks for your input.
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From: Nor Cal
Year: 1993 & 1994
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Engine: 4.0
Last edited by ZJMAX; Sep 17, 2014 at 11:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: long island NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
thanks again, jon


