• NAXJA is having its 18th annual March Membership Drive!!!
    Everyone who joins or renews during March will be entered into a drawing!
    More Information - Join/Renew
  • Welcome to the new NAXJA Forum! If your password does not work, please use "Forgot your password?" link on the log-in page. Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] if we can provide any assistance.

AW4 Over-ride Switch

JonnyCat63

NAXJA Forum User
NAXJA Member
Location
San Diego
In my previous "Another gearing thread", someone responded and recommended an over-ride switch for the AW4. I've often thought about doing this, but I just wanted some clarification and understanding.

I often find myself crawling too fast downhill because the AW4 wants to go into 2nd gear.

Is that one of the purposes of the over-ride switch, to allow for more slow speed crawling downhill by keeping it in 1st? That's my ultimate goal.

Also, I think Montana Fab still makes them. Anyone using it? Comments?

Feel free to elaborate with any info. I appreciate the insight. Thanks!
 
There's no comparison in benefits between a "shift kit" and a "shifter" besides gear selection though.
 
About 15 years ago, I tried adding a gear lock switch to my 2001 XJ, It did not work correctly, instead it set a CEL and caused the transmission go into limp-home mode.
Unlike the older AW4s, later model AW4s have an added speed sensor on the input side of the trans that causes problems, when locking a gear, that needs to be solved through electronics.

Installing the Montana Fab switch allows locking the trans into 1st or 2nd without causing any problems or CELs.
It still work great all these years later, primarily used on steep downhills where keeping the trans in a particular gear is crucial .
https://montanafab.com/product/aw4-override-switch/

38604039550_f6e6cf1d52_w.jpg


Before installing it, I have almost lost it a couple times on steep, loose downhills where the trans suddenly downshifted from 2nd into 1st, causing the rear end to slide sideways, coming close to rolling over .
 
The TransGo kit is the cheapest and provides transmission benefits/up-grades you don't get with a shifter.
 
The TransGo kit is the cheapest and provides transmission benefits/up-grades you don't get with a shifter.

If all you want is to control what gear the transmission is in, it's much easier installing the Montana Fab kit than a shift kit and a lot less likely to have problems afterwards.
You reported problems when you installed a TransGo kit a couple years ago and had to disassemble the valve body several times.
You needed the shift kit to firm up the soft shifts caused by the big increase in power of your new stroker.
A stock engine doesn't need a shift kit
 
But the firmer shifts dropped my trans temps which dropped my radiator temps by +10 degrees also, the installation issue was a "strange fluke" that just happens sometime, been good for 2yrs since.
 
This is what I did on my '98 .........


<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/22609559@N05/49523136736/in/dateposted-friend/" title="20200211_131826"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49523136736_44e6761e3f_k.jpg" width="1152" height="2048" alt="20200211_131826"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


The rotary switch selects all fwd gears, including t/c lock for 3rd and 4th, the toggle switch is used for 2nd gear t/c lock, 1st gear t/c lock is not obtainable due to the valve body internal plumbing.
Yes it sets a CEL but when control is returned to the TCM (I have another hidden switch that selects TCM or hand switch mode) the fault clears withing a few miles.
 
This is what I did on my '98 .........
The rotary switch selects all fwd gears, including t/c lock for 3rd and 4th, the toggle switch is used for 2nd gear t/c lock, 1st gear t/c lock is not obtainable due to the valve body internal plumbing.
Yes it sets a CEL but when control is returned to the TCM (I have another hidden switch that selects TCM or hand switch mode) the fault clears withing a few miles.

I like how that looks.
I tried the traditional way of wiring for a second gear lock.
http://gojeep.willyshotrod.com/HowtoAutoSwitch.htm

In my 2001, it caused the trans to go into limp mode where it doesn't shift correctly and it set a CEL that would not clear on its own, needing a scanner too clear.
I believe the 2000-2001 XJs computers have different programing than the earlier models. 1998 to 2001 AW4s have an input speed sensor.

Would be cautious using the torque converter lock when descending steep hills, the torque converter's lock-up clutch surface is small and was never designed for such a stressful application.
 
Would be cautious using the torque converter lock when descending steep hills, the torque converter's lock-up clutch surface is small and was never designed for such a stressful application.

I only use the lock up for a gear spliting effect off road, when on the highway it is used the same way the tcm would use it.

I actually drive in manual mode on the highway a lot. I like shifting !
 
The gear selection switch is one of my favorite mods. I can lock it in second and turn off the Torque Converter lock and drive around the trails comfortably. Get into the rocks and turn the knob to 1st and i'm good to go.

I'd like to slap the engineer that decided a 1/2 combo shifter was a good idea!!!
 
anyone have a video of this thing operating?

i was always under the impression 97+ aw4 couldnt use such product without fear of damaging the trans.

this is a sweet little mod!
 
anyone have a video of this thing operating?
i was always under the impression 97+ aw4 couldnt use such product without fear of damaging the trans.
this is a sweet little mod!

Unless you do something stupid like locking it in 1st at 60 MPH, there should never be any damage. The transmission is just locked into one gear.
My 2001 XJ has used the Montana Fabrication kit for over a decade without any problems.
 
Last edited:
so you can switch this while moving and itll just shift 1st to 2nd? this is huge for descending

Yep, drive it like a manual without a clutch.
You can shift all gears and lock / unlock the tc clutch
The manual lever is used in conjunction with the switchs to obtain function of all gears and engine braking of all gears.
 
I like how that looks.
I tried the traditional way of wiring for a second gear lock.
http://gojeep.willyshotrod.com/HowtoAutoSwitch.htm

In my 2001, it caused the trans to go into limp mode where it doesn't shift correctly and it set a CEL that would not clear on its own, needing a scanner too clear.
I believe the 2000-2001 XJs computers have different programing than the earlier models. 1998 to 2001 AW4s have an input speed sensor.

Would be cautious using the torque converter lock when descending steep hills, the torque converter's lock-up clutch surface is small and was never designed for such a stressful application.

Did you add resistors to the solenoid outputs from the TCM? Also the 98-01 TCM's are exactly the same programming wise.
 
Did you add resistors to the solenoid outputs from the TCM? Also the 98-01 TCM's are exactly the same programming wise.

No resistors, but I do have a main switch between the tcm and the rotary swirch that interupts the outputs from the tcm and enables the rotary switch.
 
Back
Top