byu_xj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Pittsburgh
1995 Jeep cherokee, Current milage 96,000
4 inches lift 33" tires.
Stock gears, t-case, and trany.
The AW4 was rebuilt at the shop at 75,000 and I have not changed the fluid yet. The jeep has been working fine since the rebuild until about 1 month ago. I did the rebuild 1 1/2 years ago because of the exact same symtoms that I descibe bellow.
Here are the Simptoms:
Here is what I have checked:
So there is the backgound. Here are my questions.
When I drain the pan I will know more about the shape of the internal parts. But I suspect that all the clutches and pads are in good condition. I will update after I drain the system tomorrow.
By the way what is the recommended seafoam cleaning steps for an AW4?
4 inches lift 33" tires.
Stock gears, t-case, and trany.
The AW4 was rebuilt at the shop at 75,000 and I have not changed the fluid yet. The jeep has been working fine since the rebuild until about 1 month ago. I did the rebuild 1 1/2 years ago because of the exact same symtoms that I descibe bellow.
Here are the Simptoms:
- The jeep will not downshift from 3rd gear into 2. While traveling at 35 MPH with the lever in the 3 position I can put it into 1-2 and it will shift into 2nd. If I keep the jeep above 30 MPH I can drive normal in 2nd.
- While in 1-2 If instead I just coast and let the jeep slow down it will hard shift into 1st at 25 MPH. If I then step on the gas it will not upshift into 2nd. I do not have tach but I can easily go 40 without any upshift.
- It seems to hold and accelerate in all gears in the proper power range just fine. I do not notice any slipping. Obviously when I slow to 25 MPH while the lever is in 3 the TQ converter will screen at me but when I am above 35 MPH 3 will work fine.
- With the lever in 1-2 at 30 MPH I can gently rock it forward and cox the jeep to shift to 2nd. I am not even close to putting the lever in 3. I can drive like this and if I can get it above 35 then it will not drop back into 1st. However it is a little tricky.
- Typically I will start in 1-2 accelerate to 30 MPH and throw the lever into 3 then drop it back into 1-2 when I reach 35 MPH.
Here is what I have checked:
- I took the jeep to AAMCO to have free diagnostic. (I am not sure why I wasted my time) The drained a little fluid and said they found metal. I did not ask to see it as I plan to flush the system tomorrow again. They read the codes and said that he 1st and 2nd solenoid were bad. I am not certain that I believe this either. They told me that they would give me a complete rebuild for ....... $2400! I did not laugh right out loud but I picked my jeep up the next morning and will not go back to that monkey house.
- I do not have a multi-meter so I simply changed the TPS in hopes that it was the cause. No change at all.
- I reset the throttle linkage adjustment. No change in any of the behavior above.
- I checked the fluid level and it looks Red and does not smell burnt. I will drain it tomorrow over a magnet to see if I can pickup any metal. I checked the fluid level about 1 month ago when I started having trouble and it was a little above full. I drained it to the proper level. I picked up the jeep from AAMACO today and checked the level. It was actually very HIGH!!! I did not check it right before taking it to them but I am still very disturbed.
So there is the backgound. Here are my questions.
- What keeps the jeep in 2nd gear when it is in 1-2?
- What causes it to downshift out of 3rd? It is a force balance between springs and weights right?
- How do the solenoids affect this process? Do they force the clutch closed?
- If by using the shifting methods above I can drive in 2nd without any trouble why will not down shift in to 2nd from 3rd? And Why will it not upshift from 1st into 2nd?
- Is this caused by the 1 and 2 solinoids that AAMACO says are bad?
When I drain the pan I will know more about the shape of the internal parts. But I suspect that all the clutches and pads are in good condition. I will update after I drain the system tomorrow.
By the way what is the recommended seafoam cleaning steps for an AW4?