Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here! ZJ (93-98), WJ (99-04), WK (05+)
All ZJ/WJ/WK specific tech questions asked here!

Weird shifting issues

Old 02-13-2019, 04:00 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Wjtrev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default Weird shifting issues

Hey guys, I’ll try and give as much details as I can. 2004 Columbia. 4.0 42re trans. I got a little muddy water in the trans the other week. I’m a shop foreman for a trucking company, so I drove it straight to my shop and drained it all out. Had no problems at this point. All of our equipment is for heavy duty trucks so I couldn’t flush it all the way. So I filled and drained until it looked normal and changed the filter. Ran fine for a couple days and now it’s acting up.
When acelerating from a stop. It will not shift out of first until I hit 4200-5000 rpms. When it does shift it’s smooth. When it’s in the next gear (it feels like 3rd) I have no kickdown. You floor it and it just gradually goes. Downshifting is smooth. Here is what I have checked/done.
-dropped pan for a 4th time, no chunks of clutch packs or metal
-used professional code reader, 0 codes active or inactive on anything
-checked all fuses and relays, replaced the all for the hell of it
-shifting into neutral then back to drive doesn’t seem to help
-checked the kickdown cable or I think it’s called the throttle position cable
-visually inspected wires and such to the trans.
-trans cooler is not hooked up

It’s not overheating
Using 1st or 2nd gear doesn’t help.

Im kind of lost where to look next, it feels like it’s maybe a issue with the tcm putting it into limp mode or something. It doesn’t feel mechanical.
Old 03-05-2019, 03:29 AM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
97grand4.0's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: syracuse ny
Posts: 2,764
Received 170 Likes on 158 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 4.0, new lifters valve job with new springs and exhaust valves, preload set with shims
Default

Sounds to me like you are underfilled. The dipstick is loony on some of the 42re's. Try putting in another quart.
Old 03-12-2019, 01:54 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
 
jeepdewd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: North East Georgia
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L STRAIGHT 6!!!
Default

How can water get into the transmission?


I have had mine 97 grand cherokee bumper deep on several occasions and never thought to worry about anything. I thought everything was all sealed up
Old 03-13-2019, 12:50 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
 
kody24's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

They should be sealed. The only vent is the dipstick tube. But, a bad seal on the dipstick tube, tcu plug, pan or any of the sensors will let water in. Additionally there is the occasional issue where if you take two hot pieces of metal with a gasket between them and put them in water they can draw water past the gasket, there's a fancy term for this but I forgot what it is, it's similar to the capillary action that draws solder into a joint.
Old 03-15-2019, 03:32 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
97grand4.0's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: syracuse ny
Posts: 2,764
Received 170 Likes on 158 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 4.0, new lifters valve job with new springs and exhaust valves, preload set with shims
Default

Just noticed the OP profile says XJ, Also says he has a 4.0 that wont shift until 4500-5k rpm. Not bad for a 4.0...?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
pdowty68
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
11-19-2013 07:36 PM
Gorilla369
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
19
06-18-2012 04:46 PM
sportingcp86
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
12-17-2009 02:11 PM
swamper
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
6
10-28-2009 11:29 PM
championmayday
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
11
05-28-2009 10:11 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Weird shifting issues



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:28 PM.