OAS

My 97 Cherokee w 4.0 AW4 automatic has been sitting a while with a "bad" transmission. Will shift from 1st to 2nd but not go into 3rd or OD. (makes a whinning sound as well)
A little history first , last year the radiator developed an internal crack, and the trans fluid mixed with the coolant. I put in a new radiator and hoped it wasnt too late to avoid any damage.
Changed out the trans fluid about 5 or 6 times to try to get all the coolant out. But after a few months it started loosing overdrive when it got hot. It would come back after cooling down for about 15 minites.
Got worse until the point that drive and OD didnt work at all. Figured it was time for a rebuild on the trans. Ive been driving it down to the mailbox just to keep things from seizing up. (in 1st and 2nd gears)
Couple days ago drove down the road, and dropped it into 4 low just for the heck of it. Shifted from 1st to 2nd then went into 3rd and OD! WTF?!
Why would it shift through all 4 gears when in 4 low, but only 1st and 2nd in 2wd???
Very weird............

lawsoncl

That is bizzare. The trans computer has no way of knowing what the xfer case is doing. What happens when you unplug the trans computer, or pull it's fuse and shift manually? Having 2nd gear would imply the solenoids are okay. TPS sensor good, and the throttlebody cable properly adjusted?

OAS

I did have solenoid problems back in summer of 2019. Bought a set off of ebay, as another XJ owner said they worked well for him. My problem then was sometimes it would not pull from a stop in 1st gear unless i manually selected it. The solenoids solved the problem. Maybe they went bad again? will have to research TPS sensor. Never adjusted the throttlebody cable.

evil_goat

Here is a good video about how to adjust the cable:

lawsoncl

If you are getting second gear, then both shift solenoids are working.

1st gear - Solenoid A on, Solenoid B off
2nd gear - Solenoid A on, Solenoid B on
3rd gear - Solenoid A off, Solenoid B on
4th gear - Solenoid A off, Solenoid B off

X2 on checking the shift cable, throttle position sensor, and the NSS.