Hey guys, so i bought a 90 cherokee (4L, auto) a few months ago because i wanted a vehicle to take on a few trips and go offroading. This jeep was sitting for 4 years and i picked it up for $400. I took it to my mechanic and he replaced alot of parts (steering components and brakes) and then we found out the transmission doesn't shift into 2nd or 4th gears. So now i have to make a decision to either have mine rebuilt or swap one with a used one (and hope it lasts). I don't mind investing some money into this jeep but my budget isn't huge. What do you guys think i should do?

 

Congrats on the new Jeep!

I would recommend performing standard maintenance first considering that it's been sitting for four years. The AW4 is a fairly stout and reliable transmission, it may just need to have a solenoid or two replaced and some fresh Dexron-Mercon. The whole kit, including all shift solenoids (3), trans filter and gasket runs about $70 from Amazon and takes a couple or three hours to replace for someone who isn't super mechanically inclined.

 

Can you remove the trans yourself or have to do it done for you ?And call around every trans shop around you ask how much for them to rebuild your trans if you drop it off and pick it back up.

 

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

This COULD be as simple as a dirty fuse connection.

So, I'm guessing that with the selector in D, it barely pulls itself from a stop.

But, if you put the selector in 1-2, it starts out in 1. when the selector is then moved to 3, it shifts to 3.

If this is the case, check the fuse as in the attached photo.

Also click on the link and do that simple procedure.

http://cruiser54.com/?p=58

 

Unfortunately it doesn't shift when manually selected. When I put it in D it will start in first normally and will not shift into third until about 4300 RPM and as I go faster it does not shift into 4th no matter what I do.. I will try a few simple things but I do believe transmission needs to be rebuilt

 

It could be a bad solenoid or two.

These transmissions rarely fail. Solenoids can be tested without removing the trans pan.
What does the fluid look like?

 

Even if you DO have a broken trans, it's very likely that any second hand one will give you years of service - so no need to panic just yet and certainly not before you've followed Cruiser's advice on diagnosing your current issues.
Good Luck!

 

Thanks guys, i will test the solenoids and tcu