Went mudding, and now... (bonus pic)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
From: Sellersburg IN
Year: 1992 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Did this:

1998 ZJ Limited 4.0 full time 4x4 (np249 i believe).
And if you can't tell, 100% stock.
Got pulled out after engine stopped..
Was able to restart and drive around some more and even 60 miles home.
However, trans is not behaving. When in "D" it is trying to take off in 3rd gear. Will do 1st and 2nd if manual shifted to those positions, 3rd and OD work properly in "D". Reverse is fine. No other apparent problems, no codes, etc.
Did some quick google-ing and found some references to similar issues and being electrical related and not an internal trans fault. However, could not find any actual details to follow up with or fixes.
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks in advance!!!

1998 ZJ Limited 4.0 full time 4x4 (np249 i believe).
And if you can't tell, 100% stock.
Got pulled out after engine stopped..
Was able to restart and drive around some more and even 60 miles home.
However, trans is not behaving. When in "D" it is trying to take off in 3rd gear. Will do 1st and 2nd if manual shifted to those positions, 3rd and OD work properly in "D". Reverse is fine. No other apparent problems, no codes, etc.

Did some quick google-ing and found some references to similar issues and being electrical related and not an internal trans fault. However, could not find any actual details to follow up with or fixes.
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks in advance!!!
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 139
Likes: 3
From: N.E. Tennessee
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 w/K&N Intake
Call me crazy but that doesn't look like muddin, it looks more like sinkin 
I'd get under it with a hose and clean off the trans then go huntin wiring and connectors making sure all are mud/dirt free and tight. If possible you might want to seal everything up with dielectric grease or something before you go sinkin...... I mean muddin again.

I'd get under it with a hose and clean off the trans then go huntin wiring and connectors making sure all are mud/dirt free and tight. If possible you might want to seal everything up with dielectric grease or something before you go sinkin...... I mean muddin again.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh,NC
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
This. Had a similar problem with mine after going through a deep hole.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 6
From: Summerville, Ga
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5 4 cyl.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
From: Sellersburg IN
Year: 1992 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
But it did cross my mind as the engine sputtered to a stop... On that note, I already have 6qts synthetic oil and a new mopar oil filter waiting for me to get some free time.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
From: Sellersburg IN
Year: 1992 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'm hoping that this is the issue I'm having. Seems to jive with what I've been finding on the 'net.
Btw, that was my first time ever offroading. Jeep did great until I drove it into the "lake" lol...
Hoping this weekend I'll have some time to change the oil, front diff fluid, and iron out this trans bug.
I spent over an hour with a 2500psi pressure washer spraying down the underside of the jeep. Still some mud up there but the majority is off.
I'm not driving it until the trans is sorted though.
Btw, that was my first time ever offroading. Jeep did great until I drove it into the "lake" lol...

Hoping this weekend I'll have some time to change the oil, front diff fluid, and iron out this trans bug.
I spent over an hour with a 2500psi pressure washer spraying down the underside of the jeep. Still some mud up there but the majority is off.
I'm not driving it until the trans is sorted though.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
From: Sellersburg IN
Year: 1992 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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
Hey Dude! I'm going to pass down a bit of advise from my Dad. "Don't race your everyday wheels! You could be walking to work!"
Old retired gearhead.
Old retired gearhead.
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Union County, NJ
Year: 2002
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 6
From: Summerville, Ga
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5 4 cyl.
Got it restarted after being pulled out... Drove 60 miles home afterwards... No water in the engine
But it did cross my mind as the engine sputtered to a stop... On that note, I already have 6qts synthetic oil and a new mopar oil filter waiting for me to get some free time.
But it did cross my mind as the engine sputtered to a stop... On that note, I already have 6qts synthetic oil and a new mopar oil filter waiting for me to get some free time.

