Transmission issue...

[Opie]

OK - because I don't have enough problems in my life - this morning I back my 01 TJ out of the driveway and shift from R to D and the engine suddenly revs, but I'm not moving, then a big thunk and it stalls. After a brief prayer to the transmission gods I started it back up and it drives perfectly, no problems the rest of the way to work.....

How worried should I be about this? It's never slipped before. I've never had a transmission issue that didn't end up with me writing a giant check or the local hauler telling me the scrap isn't worth the price of the tow.

I know NOTHING on these issues....what do I do? I'd take it to a transmission shop, but I'm pretty sure they'll just tell me the problem is my wallet is too full.

[Kurt]

For starters you should check the transmission fluid level.

FLUID LEVEL CHECK PROCEDURE
(1) Transmission fluid must be at normal operating
temperature for accurate fluid level check. Drive
vehicle if necessary to bring fluid temperature up to
normal hot operating temperature of 82?C (180?F).
(2) Position vehicle on level surface.
(3) Start and run engine at curb idle speed.
(4) Apply parking brakes.
(5) Shift transmission momentarily into all gear
ranges. Then shift transmission back to Neutral.
(6) Clean top of filler tube and dipstick to keep
dirt from entering tube.
(7) Remove dipstick (Fig. 64) and check fluid level
as follows:
(a) Correct acceptable level is in crosshatch area.
(b) Correct maximum level is to MAX arrow
mark.
(c) Incorrect level is at or below MIN line.
(d) If fluid is low, add only enough Mopart ATF
Plus 3 to restore correct level. Do not overfill.

[ZAEDOCK]

When was the last time the tranny was flushed? Might be a good idea. When you check the level, see if it smells burnt.

Otherwise, do as Kurt suggests.

[Opie]

Went for a ride at lunchtime, no issues. Checked as described above, and it it JUST BARELY above the MIN line, looks fine and no burnt smell...tranny was flushed, but almost two years ago I think....

[Opie]

I have a 26-mile drive home later, I'll check it again when I get home just to make sure it's good and warmed up.

[ZAEDOCK]

Went for a ride at lunchtime, no issues. Checked as described above, and it it JUST BARELY above the MIN line, looks fine and no burnt smell...tranny was flushed, but almost two years ago I think....

Two years isn't that long. Top her off and see how she goes.

[Scott]

I'd take it to a transmission shop, but I'm pretty sure they'll just tell me the problem is my wallet is too full.

BE very careful with transmission shops. They have the highest number of consumer complaints in the auto business world. I know the one down the street from me are a bunch of crooks. Your best bet if you end up needing to bring it somewhere may very well be a Jeep dealer unless somebody here personally knows a reputable shop.

As has been said already, add some fluid and wait it out. It may have just been a hiccup.

[ZAEDOCK]

It might be a hike, but I've used these guys to rebuild my SM420. They were the only shop who knew what it was when I descibed the swap I was doing. As soon as I said, old granny low from 1953, the guy said - oh an SM420. Bingo.

Hi-Tech Transmission Inc
317 Somers Road East Longmeadow, MA 01028-2941 - (413) 525-1710


Another option is to get a boneyard tranny. I've had good experiences with salvage parts. We could swap this out in about 4 hours. The ones in bold look like decent deals.

Car-part.com

2000
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler AT4X,4.0,3-00 73,060 A 7K8999 $700 Brown's Auto Salvage USA-VT(Bomoseen) E-mail 800-660-4290 119

2001
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 6 Cyl- TMU-TMU M1826 $700 Universal Auto Salvage Inc. USA-MA(Uxbridge) Request_Quote 1-800-441-6000 Request_Insurance_Quote 22

2000
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 6 Cyl- 4X4 46,000 A PJ020 $650 D. Richard Automotive USA-VT(Colchester) E-mail 1-800-776-0459 177
2001
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 6 Cyl- 60,000 A PM048 $650 D. Richard Automotive USA-VT(Colchester) E-mail 1-800-776-0459 177

2002
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 6 Cyl- 4X4 90,000 A PH109 $550 D. Richard Automotive USA-VT(Colchester) E-mail 1-800-776-0459 177

2000
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 4.0 AT TMU-1K L92095 $500.17 LKQ - MA Leominster USA-MA(Leominster) E-mail 978-537-0928 / 800-343-6122 32

2001
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler A.T., 6 CYL-73K 73,000 $AA606 $500.17 LKQ - MA Leominster USA-MA(Leominster) E-mail 978-537-0928 / 800-343-6122 32

2000
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler AUT,4.0,4X4 0 A 901501 $500 Robertson Auto Salvage USA-MA(Wareham) Request_Quote 1-800-551-7000 Request_Insurance_Quote 74

2002
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler X,4.0,AUT,4x4,T,FLR 85,548 A 900075 $500 Robertson Auto Salvage USA-MA(Wareham) Request_Quote 1-800-551-7000 Request_Insurance_Quote 74

2000
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 6 Cyl-98K 98,000 A KK68 $450 Berkley Used Auto Parts USA-MA(Berkley) Request_Quote 1-800-242-0290 Request_Insurance_Quote 54

2000
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler SPORT,4.0,AT,4x4,Til t,Floor 92,586 A 9K2969 $450 Kens Auto Salvage USA-NH(Kingston) Request_Quote 603-642-3636 / 800-927-4702 Request_Insurance_Quote
76

2002
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 6 Cyl-CC46 CC-46 $400.01 M and P Auto Parts USA-ME(Auburn) Request_Quote 1-800-244-0663 Request_Insurance_Quote
165

2000
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 6 Cyl- TMU 166,000 B MM64 $400 Berkley Used Auto Parts USA-MA(Berkley) Request_Quote 1-800-242-0290 Request_Insurance_Quote 54

2002
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 6 CYL-80K- T35 $350.03 Auto and Truck Parts USA-ME(Windham) Request_Quote 1-800-974-6334 Request_Insurance_Quote 144

2000
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 6 Cyl- 136,000 A 07-025 $350 Toy Town Auto Salvage USA-MA(Winchendon) Request_Quote 1-800-553-3080 Request_Insurance_Quote
38

2001
Transmission
Jeep Truck 4.0L,AT,4X4 143,148 B 38917 $350 Linder's Inc. USA-MA(Worcester) E-mail 1-800-521-8000 16

2002
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 139,000 00008053 $350 Chuckran Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MA(Bridgewater) Request_Quote 1-508-697-6319 / 877-697-6319 Request_Insurance_Quote
57

2000
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 4.0 AT-117K L90457 $325.17 LKQ - MA Leominster USA-MA(Leominster) E-mail 978-537-0928 / 800-343-6122 32

2001
Transmission
Jeep Truck WW6187 $325 Standard Auto Wrecking USA-MA(Worcester) E-mail 1-800-922-8281
16

2001
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 111K 110,000 00004527 $300 Bow Auto Salvage USA-NH(Bow) E-mail 1-800-464-3141 75

2002
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 105K 104,000 00004798 $300 Bow Auto Salvage USA-NH(Bow) E-mail 1-800-464-3141 75

2000
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 93K 93,000 00004752 $300 Bow Auto Salvage USA-NH(Bow) E-mail 1-800-464-3141 75

2000
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 169,794 B F91066 $300 Self Serve Used Auto Parts USA-MA(Freetown) Request_Quote 1-888-781-4400 / 1-508-763-4442 Request_Insurance_Quote
61

1999
Transmission
Jeep Wrangler 6 Cyl 122,000 A MC-431 $Call General Auto Salvage Company, Inc. USA-NH(Claremont) Request_Quote 1-800-562-3845 Request_Insurance_Quote
87

[Carl McFly]

X2 what Scott said! I've been quoted a $2000 tranny job when it was a bad $40 modulator

[Opie]

Well, I'm still praying, but so far so good. Fluid was just below the OK line when I got home yesterday, so I filled it to the middle of the XX's and it had no problems this morning. I guess if it happens again, I'll take it over to Mansfield Jeep first, they have always treated me OK (for a dealership anyway). I don't think I'm quite ready to re-build yet based on one mis-shift (if that's even what it was) but if I have to, you can bet I'll be asking for help here !!

Thanks everyone for the advice.

[johnsxj]

Sounds like you had a case of low fluid and that sloshed away from the pick up when you went from rev to drive.

[Carl McFly]

all this talk made me go out and buy a new filter and fluids for my AW4! And while my XJ is up in the air, may as well drain and fill the t-case and front and rear diffs, get her ready for some trails

[johnsxj]

all this talk made me go out and buy a new filter and fluids for my AW4! And while my XJ is up in the air, may as well drain and fill the t-case and front and rear diffs, get her ready for some trails

Take care dropping the pan on the AW4!!!!!!!!!!! The dipstick tube goes into the pan and not the trans housing. It's a two piece tube but they're a major PITA to get appart I've usually ended up undoing the support bracket bolt on the PS upper front of the bell housing and snaking the whole freakin' thing down

[ZAEDOCK]

I'll be changing my XJ's AW4 this year.

[wesley4x4]

FWIW my old 99 camaro would do that but it wouldn't stall... and also going from first to second use to jerk real bad... i just told anybody that asked why it did that was because one of the poneys was bucken

but anyways the problem seemed to go away when i put some lucas oil in it. also it did have 112,000 miles on it and was beaten on pretty bad :X

oh and also it was a chevy... thats was one of the major problems lol jp

just sayin yo