Ok.. so let's start with.. it's not fixed yet. Now.. this all started with me wanting to do maintenance on the ol girl because the thought of new Jeeps make me cringe :gag:
So the big stuff I let my mechanic handle and the smaller stuff I do (most based on time and he has a lift). So I wanted to fix the little things bugging me. Like the lack of heat. I knew that was a plugged heater core, just didn't have the time to do it myself. Had him flush the coolant and while in replace the 2 hard trans lines that have been leaking on my driveway, then do a screen and flush... no big deal right.
After I got it back from him she started shifting strange... didn't really notice it on the way home taking surface streets. But once I got on the freeway, I knew a problem was a foot.
Figured it was from him washing under the hood... maybe bad wires or TPS or some other sensor. So.. let's get to what I've replaced thus far.
1. plugs (champion .035 gap), Bosch wires (lifetime warranty), Accel cap, Mopar rotor.
These didn't help the problem. They seemed to help smooth out the acceleration/idle some.
2. Pulled the codes and was pulling 13/14. Replaced the MAP.. figured.. hell.. I'm in it anyway and did the O2 (only have the one).
These didn't help the problem. Again, seemed to help smooth out the motor a little bit more.
3. This morning... figured damnit... I hate that damn TPS (been through a couple already in it's life with me) and got to Murray's when they opened and got the TPS and Cam Position Sensor (under the cap one).
These did help some, but while on my way to the Motorcycle show (again, on the freeway) she didn't have the passing power. I've also noticed she will NOT shift right unless I "pedal it" or back off the throttle. I do notice that it runs upto about 3K and stays.. will not shift. This seems to be the consistant right now.
NOW... I've called the mechanic (after being up until 2am reading
to find that he DIDN'T put Dex III in it, but Mercon V. So.. I'm back to this being a trans problem and not anything mechanical or sensor related. HE IS going to get this back in the morning and flush once more with Dex III as the manual requests, then we'll go from there.
But.. I do have a couple questions still.
1. Not knowing if this is the original trans (bought it with 128K/blown motor... now has 208K) is it possible that the valve solonoids could be showing breakdown?
2. I know that last trans service it had got ATF+3 and didn't have a problem (that was about 20K/2 years ago), but as the debate continues elsewhere, will ATF+3 hurt the trans or is that a comparable substitute?
3. If it's not ANYTHING of the above, WTF is it???? I do know that my CAT is now hollowed out, but the shield still rattles until warm (damn annoying I tell you) but has NEVER shown any signs of causing problems to the driveablity. Muffler is good, that was just done last summer. The ONLY other thing done recently was the ingition switch (on top of the GM column) because it was locked solid from heat. (yes, I fixed the connector problem it had).
I'm at a total lose here. I've read on this wonderful site of damn good info, read the manual front to back, and used logic to figure this out. I'm out of options... short of buying a new Jeep and turning this into a buggy (WAY down the line with a different motor). I really like being without a car payment.. so please.. any suggestions are REALLY welcome.
Thanks
Steve