Robo138

I just put a new motor in my 98 XJ, its an automatic and when i put the shifter in the D gear it won't hardly pull out of its own tracks like its starting in 3rd gear. Any ideas? Also the gauges aren't working now.

Hayden98XJ

Try replacing the shift solenoids located right behind the transmission pan. Theirs a kit on ebay I think that has them all for $130. You could also change out your trans filter while your under there if your so inclined.

Robo138

ok I'll check that out, some fluid might have came out of the torque converter when we took it out would that cause my problem?

Roler

Slow down.
Don't just start throwing parts at things and go in with blazing guns.
Parts are at the end of the process called "finding out what the problem actually is".

Before all this, you said you put a new motor in. Has it been driven without issues after this, or is this the first trial of driving after the swab?

1) you say some fluid came out the torque converter when you took it out. Took what out? Or do you mean when you went for a drive. Where was is coming from?

2) did you check your ATF level (and color)?

3) try shifting through the gears manually. No issues then?

4) your gauges don't work either. That is a clue. Your gauges stopped working at the same time as your shifting issue?

Robo138

whenever we were swapping the engine some fluid came out of the torque converter, we checked the atf and it is good.

Roler

Of course some fluid will come out with an engine swab..
So, how about all the other questions?

Robo138

We forgot to put any trans fluid back in the torque converter but i dont think it leaked a whole lot

Roler

Assumption is the mother of all f#ck ups. Did you check the level AFTER the swab and BEFORE driving it?

Robo138

Yes, we checked it and added a little bit

Roler

Good. So what about the other questions?

Robo138

If I shift manually it does fine, just very weak in D position, and yes the gauges stopped working after we did the swap.

Roler

If it shifts fine manually, it means that mechanical side of transmission appears to be working ok, so focusing more on electrical part of things.
With the gauges being out, this suggest another issue going on. Did you hook everything back up? Go over this, check connections and all fuses and engine grounds. After your swap you had no gauges...

Robo138

I plugged everything back together and checked fuses and grounds and all seem to be good.

Roler

And the TCM and its fuse(s)?

Robo138

where are the tcm fuses on a 98?