89 chrokee limited transmission problems

I recently bought a.......dying 89 jeep cherokee which had a nice body but the engine did not run. The engine was beat very badly but after a few weeks she was running good again. I did alot of much needed servicing on her and finally took the jeep out for a drive the other night to see how everything worked, and all seemed well until I put the transmission into overdrive. While your moving 45+mph everything seems ok, but if you try to start off in OD the engine rpms rise very high but you dont move much at all, the best way I can describe it is like being in 4wd low. Is this something common with jeeps, is it normal for this particular transmission. All my cars before hand have been standard except for my ford thunderbird which has automatic overdrive, and I can start out in that just fine. Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.

I take it you are saying it is an auto transmission right??

Have you checked the ATF level in the transmission??? does the fluid smell burnt????

What RPM/speed relationship do you notice??

Does the transmission shift - at what speeds - during light throttle accelleration?? ! to 2??? 2-3??? and 3-od???

Does the opperation change when you start out in "1" as opposed to "OD" . Both start off in first gear but "1" uses a band to get the gear and "OD" uses a one way clutch. If there is no difference in the way it starts off, then it is probably the forward clutch that is the problem. (I think thats the way it goes anyway - I haven't thought about this in a l-o-n-g while)

anyway - check the ATF first (is it burnt?)

JD

Im sorry, yes it is the automatic transmission. I checked the transmission fluid and changed it along with the filter. This didnt help anything at all. When I drove it I first started in (1) ran fine and the transmission shifted through all the following gears fine. But I had stopped to pull into my garage and the transmission was still in OD, I went to go but the engine revved but the jeep moved only slightly.

what is reverse like???

sounds like the one way clutch to me. but like I said before it has been awhile..... double check with a transmission shop in the morning.


JD

I had sounds like a similar problem. I have a 1988 Jeep Cherokee. When I started from a stop, it would be sluggish. Basically the vehicle was starting in 3rd gear. Once I got up to speed it was fine. My jeep is an automatic. ** The Fix ** ~~ There is a fuse for the Transmission under the glove box. My fuse needed to be replaced. I put a 20 inline fuse (i'm told is typical) in and its working great, power has been restored. Check the fuse for the trainny. You have to go from under everything, under the glove box.

A fuse eh? Well Ill give it a try, if thats all it is then ill be sure to kick myself in the ass. Thanks. By the way, JDpascal is this one way clutch you mentioned controlled electronically and thus this fuse may definately be the problem?

No need for A$$ kickin'. Dealers in Vegas didn't know about it and the trans shop I took it to only suggested the problem was electrical and didn't attempt to rape me for $1800 for a new trainny, not to fix the problem. I called an electrical shop that had a mechanic that saw that problem before. Don't be surprised if you may have to replace the entire fuse holder and fuse. Mine was burned out/melted so I replaced the whole thing for like $2. I think that's better than saving 10% or more on insurance with Geico - HeHe ! !