To make a long story short, I bought a jeep cherokee classic from a guy. He had to put a new brake master cylinder, drivers side motor mount and a brand new starter before I got it delivered to me. The next day, I had to put a brand new battery in her. I am having problems with battery drain over the coarse of a couple of night, but more importantly, I can't always drive the jeep. Somedays, I can drive her no problem, and than like today, the transmission won't shift from 3rd to OD. I can drive it in 3rd if I put it into it and go past 40 mph. Other times, in Drive, she won't go past 45 or even 30. I have cleaned the IAC, replaced the TPS, adjusted the kick down cable, and did a drain and fill yesterday. I put about 40 miles on her today without any issues, and than all of a sudden my son and I were driving home, and the jeep started to not shift. Luckily we were only a few miles from home, and I could drive it in 3rd. For some reason, I added a 1/2qt. of trans fluid and I was able to get her up to 60, but it was at 4,000 in Drive. Please help me. She is a daily driver that my kids and I depend on.
Thanks,
Alan.

 

First:
I don't get it "won't shift but you can drive in third"? Usually won't shift means stuck in first gear.
Second
Sounds like an intermittent issue, you'll have to figure out what happens to make it change.
Third:
"For some reason, I added a 1/2qt. of trans fluid and I was able to get her up to 60, but it was at 4,000 in Drive."
Is the fluid level at full hot when parked on a level surface after driving for at least 10 minutes?

 

I'm thinking maybe transmission speed sensor. It looks like I have 2 if that's the case. Also, if I let her sit for about an hour, I can get right in and drive her again without any problems. Does anyone have this problem, or heard of any of this?

 

Guessing gets expensive, has it stored a fault code for the VSS? Is the ground wire harness attached to the passenger side of the engine?

 

I did;t have any check engine lights on, but I just checked with my obd2 reader, ad I cam up with:

P0756 Shift Solenoid B Performance or Stuck Off/
2-3 Shift Solenoid Valve Performance

P0740 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Malfuction
P0740

 

Can you start the vehicle with the shifter in any position other than "P" or "N"?

 

I honestly haven't tried to. I tried to start it in Neutral one day, but I got nothing. It does start in Drive. Should I try to start it in another gear?

 

Do his cold trans fluid test.


Let the Jeep sit over night so the trans fluid is cold (ambient temp) then do the test.


It checks the Torque Converter and/or the trans oil pump. It's not conclusive but if the fluid does not drop as explained you can be sure you have an issue.



.
Also, judging by the DTC code you mentioned, it sounds like you have solenoid issues. I can post a test procedure(s) for the TCM inputs if you need to test them. You'll need a manual ranging digital multimeter to do the tests.

 

So I did this this morning, and my fluid level did drop to a little below the max line. It was above the line to start with. Does that mean that my torque converter is working or not? Help is greatly appreciated guys. Thanks.

 

If the fluid level did not drop to near them bottom of the dipstick, as described, it looks like the Torque Converter is shot which may explain your shifting issues. But before taking on the Torque Converter I would suggest replacing your solenoids to see it makes a difference.



.

 

I just placed my order for all the solenoids and trans gasket and filter for the jeep. Fingers crossed this fixes the issue.

 

Always do the simplest/cheapest stuff first - right.


Remember to service the trans with Dexron III/Mercon (DEX/MERC) trans fluid. Measure the amount drained out then when you're finished with the solenoids add that much back in. Test drive it for at least 15 miles then check the hot fluid level.

 

I will be picking up more trans fluid this weekend. My neemparts should be here middle of next week. I had actually just completed my first drainnand fill a couple of days ago, and it was doing fine. I will be doing this task next weekend. I will try to take pictures of I can. I will be doing this job on my own. This is my first auto trans to break into lol. Wish me luck.

 

Good luck.