Hi Folks,

I’m new to the Jeep scene so forgive me if any of these questions seem dumb! A couple of weeks ago I bought a used Jeep Wrangler (year 2000, 4.0L, automatic, 130k miles), and think there might be an issue with the auto transmission. Here’s the symptoms:
· If the engine is cold (and it’s a cold day) then sometimes the transmission won’t engage. E.G. Start the engine, move from Neutral to Drive, put your foot on the gas, revs increase, but the Jeep doesn’t move. Rev it a bit higher and drive will engage… OR move from Drive into another gear (or Neutral) and back to Drive and it seem to be OK again.
· Seems to be more “drag” in the transmission that I would expect… foot on the brake and move from Neutral to Drive and there’s a noticeable “kick”; Jeep crawls forward when idling in neutral (even up hill!).

Is a full transmission flush and ATF4 replacement likely to fix this, is there something I can/should adjust, or am I looking at major transmission work/rebuild? Any suggestions would be much appreciated,

Cheers,
Colin.

I'd start with doing an fluid and filter change, the flush alone won't do anything to remove the possibly plugged up filter. If that doesn't help I'm going to have to think the 32RH transmission is going to have to go to a transmission shop for either a rebuild or to have the bands tightened (sometimes that helps). I don't reccomend using any type of transmission fix in a bottle type of stuff, you'll only be wasting money. I hope you got a good deal on this jeep.

Jeepjones - thanks for the reply. I'll try the simple/cheep fix first... flush and ATF/filter change.
Transmission "fix in a bottle"... aka useless snake oil ;-)
If it does need a transmission rebuild then approx how much $$$ should I budget for?
Is a tranny rebuild somethink I could/should do myself? I'm not scared of rebuilding... I'm currently doing a "down to the last nut and bolt" engine/gearbox teardown and rebuild on my Austin Mini (albeit a 4sp manual - I have no experience of auto rebuilds). Are there any unusual/specialist tools required, and where would I source a rebuild kit from?

Cheers,
Colin.

I had the EXACT same problem as you described. when it's cold, it won't drop into gear. It takes several minutes of warmup before it would go .

I had my fluid and my filter changed out, and made sure they put the correct type of fluid back in it and that it was of a good quality.

I've had no problems with cold weather since then.

PTaylor... hopefully the same will work for me

Mine started doing the same this winter.... Fluid and filter change and it works like new again

I rebuilt mine. Im sure if you lookup 32rh you will find some threads by me... never done it before but it was easy... just take lots of pics.... im sure a fluid change will prolly do the trick tho

Fluid and filter change fixed these same symptoms on mine with 100k. Easy to do and great results.

2005 holds 12 quarts. A simple change is 6 quarts and a filter. The dealer can backflush the system and it's 12 quarts and you don't change the filter. I don't know if transmission shops can backflush.

Sounds like the ATF is not circulating properly.

The filter gets plugged, changing just the fluid or backflushing will at best be temporary. You have to replace the filter with a new filter! Make sure you use a quality filter - there are plenty of junk Chinese filters around - JUNK!

Quickie oil change places make their money on FAST - dropping the pan and changing the filter is not as profitable as sucking it out through a straw and putting in new.

Dealers and trans shops will sell you on the backflushing idea too, then when you still have trouble they sell you a rebuild - at least $1200 - can even be $2500.
Scam time!

Insist on a new filter and make sure they do it - ask to see the old one!

And - don't let them take the filter out and start the engine "to get the rest of the fluid out." If they try to do that, kill the tech!

Folks,

Many thanks for the replies/advice. I'll get the ATF/filter changed... but not at any Quickie oil change place... I'll ask someone I trust for a recomendation (my local machine shop owner knows all the good/trustworthy auto shops in town).

Cheers,
Colin.

I'm experiencing the exact same issue on my jeep. I've got a 99 tj with the 3-speed automatic and 4.0l engine. Can anyone link me to the correct transmission fluid filter? Or at least point me in the right direction. I've having a fair bit of trouble finding the part or a write up on how to swap it out.

Thanks

I got m filter kit with gasket from napa. And It was under $20.00. I must be one of lucky ones cause the 3 speed in my 98 is doing real good even with 35s and 3.73 gears. To keep mine cool I have a deep pan and heavy duty oil cooler

Sounds like the same problem I'm having. I have to let it run for 10 minutes before moving it. Creeps up hill and sometimes it jerks and/or stalls if I have to stop for any reason. Today, it wouldn't go in reverse.

Have you checked its ATF level in Neutral with the engine running & fully warmed up? Sounds like perhaps the torque converter is going bad but now that it's not going into Reverse, I'm not sure. Do check the ATF level though and make sure if it's low and you add ATF, to ONLY add ATF+4.... no other types of ATF should be used.