I bought a 97 Cherokee Sport about a month ago with 112,000 miles on it. It was in perfect shape, one owner, and one of the cleanest looking Jeeps I've ever seen in my life. Now, several weeks later, when I'm driving down the road in third gear, the transmission seems to slip, but only for a split second. The RPMs rev just a little and there's a slightly noticeable jerk when this happens. I took it to my mechanic who couldn't get it to happen for him and he told me to just drive it and if it gets worse to come back.

Here's where I get a chance to embarrass myself and show how little I actually know about cars. Please correct me if I say something stupid. It seems to only happen in third gear and when it's in lockup. It happens mostly right around thirty five and happens randomly. The CEL had come on one night but the next morning I went to the gas station and it shut off when I started it up again. It was a few days later I took it to the shop. The code that my mechanic told me was saying that there was no communication between the PCM and the TCM. If I speed up to have it go in to a higher gear, there doesn't seem to be any issues at all.

So, my guess, after spending a couple days scouring the internet, (again, I'm not a mechanic, just a twenty year old who thinks he knows everything) is that it's either a solenoid in my tranny, the TPS, my lockup converter, or even something as stupid as a broken wire. Has anyone experienced something like this? I'm no stranger to car trouble. (My last car was an Olds Alero.) I am however, a stranger to tranny issues.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY JEEP?!?!?!?!

 

Adjust your TV cable. It sounds like your getting to 3rd gear way to soon. (TC lockup at 35?) Press the D-shaped button in and push the cable housing all the way back into the adjuster. Release the button.. Then get inside and step on the go pedal.. mash it slowly all the way to the floor. The cable will be pulled out of the adjuster. If you listen carefully, you'll hear it 'ratchet' as it's pulled out. Test drive. Be sure your engine is OFF when you do this adjustment.
*Does your jeep have OD? If it does, the rpms will change up/down about 1,000 rpms from 3rd to OD and vice versa. Maybe that's what you're seeing/feeling, but it's strange to happen much below 45mph.

 

It has overdrive but that kicks in at about 43 mph. I was under the impression it was just in lockup at 35, not overdrive. Unless They're the same thing. I'll try that and see if it works tomorrow.

 

Like kjc said. Give that a try and see if it helps. Let everyone know what happens after you try it.
Good luck

 

Simple stuff first..................................

1. Adjusting TV cable is never a bad idea. Link below. Only takes a minute

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/free-quick-fix-41821/

2. Neither is testing the throttle position sensor for most all transmission related issues

3. And be sure that the fluid is at the correct LEVEL on the dipstick, is RED in color, and does not smell BURNT.

4. If you can, post the EXACT code here for comment. With OBD, the devil is definitely in the details. And also google that code + Jeep Cherokee. Odds are always pretty high that you are not the first one to experience this issue.

5. Freshening engine grounds is also recommended. Grounds can be the cause of intermittent electrical "gremlins".

 

Adjusted the TV cable, now it feels like it shifts hard in to second?

 

Good. Now check the fluid level and condition as Mr Walker suggested. TPS check wouldn't hurt either........

 

Hmm... The other day it seemed to be fine, but today it smells a bit burnt and is a little on the dark side. Hopefully a flush will fix the problem.

 

No need to flush. Drop the plug and drain it out. Replace the plug using a new washer and add about 3.8 quarts of Dexron III. Run it for a few weeks and inspect the fluid. See how it shifts in the meantime and report back.

 

Will do. Thanks for the help.