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We have a 2000 Grand Cherokee and it will not shift out of first gear (automatic trans). The first sign was that it held first a little long and now it will not shift at all. Tried shifting it from low to high from the shifter and that did not work. I also check the fluid and it does not smell burnt but it did have alot of bubbles in the fluid. I'm think first thing is to change the fluid and filter but after that I have no clue of what to check. I have a manual but it is not much help with trouble shooting the trans. Anyone have any ideas on what might be the problem or what I should check?
Last edited by fishingfun; 09-22-2009 at 09:34 AM.
Its an automatic. Not sure if its toast it seems like just a problem shifting and none of the usual signs of a trans going like slipping, burnt smelling fluid, noise, etc... none of that stuff happened it just will not shift. This trans has some miles but it has not been used for towing or any hard usage.
Miles are 145,000. I know with that many miles good chance it seen better days but with it not showing anyother symptons of problems I figure its not a total loss.
I own a garage in Athens Ga. We service a fleet on these things and replace to shift solenoid in them quite frequently. Once its done never had any problems out of them. Another thing is maintenance. Guys you have to flush these things every 35k-50k. Its the single best thing you can do for a transmission. On jeeps make sure you check the fluid on neutral. Read up and see if they are any TSB's on your problem.
if it's never been flushed before, don't flush now. just change the fluid and filters. Like stated above, likely cause is the shift solenoid. another thing to check is the linkage. make sure that the linkage isn't stretched, connectors broken, etc...
I own a garage in Athens Ga. We service a fleet on these things and replace to shift solenoid in them quite frequently. Once its done never had any problems out of them. Another thing is maintenance. Guys you have to flush these things every 35k-50k. Its the single best thing you can do for a transmission. On jeeps make sure you check the fluid on neutral. Read up and see if they are any TSB's on your problem.
I was looking in the manual and cannot find anything on the shift solenoid. Where is it located and is it hard to replace or should I try changing fluid and filter first? Trans fluid was changed about 45,000 ago and thanks I checked the fluid in park not neutral. What is a TSB?
Does your vehicle have a check engine light on? If so it may be in "Limp-in" mose, which allows you to drive the vehicle but locks it into 2nd gear. Check the transmission output speed sensor, that is often the cause. It is easy to tell if that is the problem because the speedometer is inoperative when that sensor is bad. You may also want to be more selective on where you ask your automotive questions. These guys know boats, fishing, etc. but most of the car and truck replys are out in left field. I spent 32 years in the automotive field with Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep. I am sure they mean well when thay answer but some of these answers can cost you real money.
Run the jeep around the block for about 15 minutes and see if the engine starts shifting gears properly. Transmission fluid thins out when it heats up. Once it is warm is will typically thin out enough the transmission will start working properly. If it does it is an indication that the filter/fluid are causing the issues. If doesn't start shifting properly, you probably have a bad shift solenoid.
Does your vehicle have a check engine light on? If so it may be in "Limp-in" mose, which allows you to drive the vehicle but locks it into 2nd gear. Check the transmission output speed sensor, that is often the cause. It is easy to tell if that is the problem because the speedometer is inoperative when that sensor is bad. You may also want to be more selective on where you ask your automotive questions. These guys know boats, fishing, etc. but most of the car and truck replys are out in left field. I spent 32 years in the automotive field with Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep. I am sure they mean well when thay answer but some of these answers can cost you real money.
The check engine light is on but its been on for about a year now. Yea, I know I should have had that checked. Now that you mention it I'm not sure if the speedometer is working or not. I don't think it is in limp mode because I don't think I can go over 10 to 15 mph without winding the thing out. Now when I was going real slow and shifted the lever down to one it did shift down but I could not feel it shift back up after I shifted back up. Thanks for the info and I was just taking a shot in the dark here trying to get lucky before I take it to a shop. I'm going to drain the fluids tonight and replace the filter and if that does not work then I'll have it towed to the local shop.
Well I decided to take it in to a local mom and pop trans. shop a few miles from the house and just got the GOOD NEWS. They said it needs a few electrical parts and with labor the bill will be under $250 including the tow. Thanks for all the help and thanks Dillard88 for sending me the info. THT has some really great members willing to help their fellow man whao they don't even know. Wish the rest of the world was that way.
i will be nice at first gov press so;enoid gov press sensor output speed sensor. or bad o2 sensor shorting out the trans solenoids, no one should offer up any advice to someone who ignores thier check engine light for a year you know how much damage you could be doing.when check engine lite is on computer chandes strategies. you could of at least pulled into advance autozone etc and gotten it checked for free.
i will be nice at first gov press so;enoid gov press sensor output speed sensor. or bad o2 sensor shorting out the trans solenoids, no one should offer up any advice to someone who ignores thier check engine light for a year you know how much damage you could be doing.when check engine lite is on computer chandes strategies. you could of at least pulled into advance autozone etc and gotten it checked for free.
2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Not Shifting 
