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1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ Sahara Auto Transmission Problem

5K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  Jerry Bransford 
#1 ·
I have a 1998 Wrangler TJ Sahara with the 4.0 & automatic transmission. When I start the Jeep and shift into D and start to take off, under normal acceleration, the Jeep will go a few feet and then appear to slip into neutral (stops pulling) for a brief period of time, the RPMs will climb and then it will jerk back into gear and will shift to all the other gears no problem. I experience the same thing when coming to a complete stop and trying to take off though not all of the time. I recently took it to a nearby mechanic and he told me he thought it was the torque converter, so I bought a new converter and had him install it but it is still happening. The fluid is new and is in the operating range, with no burnt smell. Any ideas on where to go from here?
 
#2 · (Edited)
Make sure you are checking the ATF level while the engine is running and the transmission shifted into Neutral. If the transmission is in Park and/or the engine is not running the dipstick will indicate an inaccurate higher ATF level than really exists.

If its ATF level is low, and my bet is it is, be sure to only add ATF+4. If the bottle doesn't say ATF+4 in big letters on the front label it's the wrong stuff. And it's better for your 32RH transmission to be overfilled than even slightly underfilled.
 
#3 ·
Stupid Chrysler auto trans being different than every other auto trans. I flopped the Jeep and dumped a bunch of trans fluid out the dipstick. I drove around for the better part of a year about a quart low because I wasn't checking it right. Good news, it's hard to kill a 32rh.

What you are describing sounds like low fluid. I would also recommend having a trans shop flush your trans AND cooler. You will probably have to ask specifically to make sure they do the cooler too. Fixed all the weird problems I was having.
 
#4 ·
You can do it yourself for cheaper, from the other jeepforum

"How to completely replace the ATF in your 32RH transmission. First it helps to have a buddy help you with this. You will also need a length of 3/8th's rubber hose and an empty milk jug marked off in 1 quart increments. First start off by disconnecting the transmission cooler line at the radiator on the driver's side. Connect one end of the 3/8th's rubber hose to the metal line and secure with a hose clamp, then stick the other end into the milk jug. Now have your buddy start the engine and place into neutral. This will begin to pump ATF into the milk jug and allow to fill up to the 3 quart mark, once it does place back into park and turn off the motor. By doing this you will be empting most of the ATF from the pan so when you go to drop the pan ATF will not spill out every where creating a mess. Now go ahead and remove the pan and replace the filter. Then clean the pan thoroughly and reinstall the pan. Next is to top off with 3 quarts of ATF+4 by pouring it down the dip stick tube. At this point you're ready to replace the ATF in the torque converter. Now have your buddy start the engine and place the transmission into neutral. The transmission will begin to pump the ATF into the milk jug and allow it to fill up to the 3 quart line. Once that has happened place the transmission back into park and dispose of the old ATF, then add 3 new quarts of ATF to the dipstick tube. Remember your transmission only pumps the ATF when it's in neutral. Repeat this process until clean ATF is being pumped into the milk jug. Should be about 6 more quarts to complete this process, but you may want to run a couple more quarts through to be sure you get all the old ATF out. Total system holds 9 quarts. When you're finished disconnect the 3/8th's hose from the metal transmission cooler line and reconnect it to the radiator. Now start the engine and move the gear selector through all gears, then take the JEEP out for a test drive and ensure the transmission is up to normal operating temperature and while on a flat surface and in neutral pull out the transmission dipstick and verify the fluid is at the full mark."
 
#7 ·
Thank you so much for your responses, I will wear my idiot badge proudly for a while, I had been checking the fluid level with the engine idling and the transmission in Park......... When I checked it properly, it was a little over a quart low, I filled it up to proper level, test drove it, and I had absolutely zero problems. I can't believe that through all my searching over the last 6 months that I did not pay attention to the proper way to check the fluid level. I will definitely do the flush/band adjustment this summer once the weather warms up, but for right now I am thrilled that my transmission is not dying! This is the only Chrysler product that I have any experience with, do all Chrysler transmissions only pump while in neutral instead of park or is it only certain models/years?
 
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