98 Classic Cherokee w/ Transmission Issues

I have a 98 Cherokee w/ 79k miles and it was having vibration issues. The motor and tranny mounts were broken, had them replaced. Whenever I would accelerate hard, in any gear, it would do some other wierd vibration. And then it started not shifting out of 2nd when rolling to a stop. So I had the tranny checked out and apparently it needs an overhaul. Which means, $2-3k. I just bought this jeep 2 months ago, and I wondering whether I should do the overhaul or get rid of it and cut my losses. I had a 92 Jeep cherokee and it never had these problems. Does this sound like a moneypit jeep or just something I should take care of. HELP!!!

Which means, $2-3k. I just bought this jeep 2 months ago, and I wondering whether I should do the overhaul or get rid of it and cut my losses.

79k is not a lot of miles for a '98. That's just over 11,000 miles per year and I think the national standard is 20k per year so it is not a high mileage '98. If it has the AW4 transmission I would get a second opinion. Those are some of the best and most durable trannys made. If your engine is the 4.0L in-line 6 then it has that AW4 and you have a great combo there. You need to consider how much you paid for it and how much it is worth as it is now. You ain't going to get much resale on it until it is fixed and if you fix it you probably will want to keep it. Take it to a couple of good mechanics and get their opinions before you send it off to Cherokee heaven. You might find out it's a simple fix even though it doesn't seem like it. For a '98 that is worth maybe $5600 in good shape, it's probably not worth sinking $3,000 to get it fixed, but it all depends on whether you like the thing or not enough to fork out the cash. I would bet it's not that bad off unless whoever had it before was really hard on it.
tb

Thanks for your input. I think the reason that it it will cost so much to fix is that there is a lot of labor just to get to the problem. I have heard from others that the way the Cherokee trannies are designed, you have to remove a bunch of other things just to get to the guts. It may not even be an expensive broken part in the end but the labor is where they get you. So what might be an example of a simple fix for a tranny issue that doesn't involve an overhaul? The mechanic showed me the lose engagement part from underneath the car with the pan off, but I am not familiar with the internals of the thing so I wouldn't know for sure a realistic time frame (cost) for fixing it.

Well I have a 1988 Jeep and was told that I needed to have my transmission re-build too (It has 195k and did not shift correctly) at a cost of about $2000. I took it to three different shops and got the same response. Only after looking on-line (and this site) did I find the solution to my problem. I did not need a transmission rebuild, but only need a TPS (cost $80.00).

So my recommendation to you is do more research before you have to spend all that money on a rebuild. It could bet as simple as a mount alignment that is trying to 'twist' your tranny. I am also interested in knowing what happened to your Jeep that required you to replace your tranny and motor mounts in the first place...

Do allot of research

I'm with 4x4grey88. My '88 had a similar problem. Funky shifting, "hunting" between 3rd and 4th, and it didn't downshift when I punched the throttle. Two places told me I needed a new/rebuilt tranny. Turned out it was my TPS too.

Broken mounts seem a bit odd for your vehicle unless it's seen some hard 4 wheelin'. But then both motor mounts on mine were broken. :). What a difference changing those made!

i don't think it's a TPS sensor. it makes a clunk when slowing to a stop, and it seems like it is hesitant to shift out of 2nd when it makes this repeated clunking. could be the new mounts and their positioning. since i bought this thing 2 months ago, I have done nothing but easy road travelling. the guy that sold it to me didn't take it off road much. i had a 92 cherokee that broke its motor mounts twice, so whe i had them replaced on this 98 i didnt think twice.

you can probably find a used tranny for alot less than that rebuild would cost.

Well I avoided the rebuild. I had the tranny shop check out the motor mounts since they were recently replaced, and sure enough one of the metal brackets on the left motor mounts was rubbing on the frame attachment causing the engine vibration I had before. the tranny makes a lot less noise downshifting now and the vibration is almost gone. the engine still looks a little cockeyed, maybe not quite in line with the transmission. i wonder if this still could be causing more noise. anyone with experience with this?

also, the mechanic said that the tranny issue looked like a loose sun shell. anyone enlighten me on what this functions as and whether there is a quick repair for this? i'm guess it is some sort of casing for the sun gears. would this cause a clunking noise when accelerating from a stop or rolling to a stop during the final downshift?

you can probably find a used tranny for alot less than that rebuild would cost.
I just bought a 98 Limited with the exact same problem. Did you pursue the rebuild?

Haven't pursued it yet because I don't have the money. I've talked to quite a few people now about it though, and it seems if I get a few more places that recommend a rebuild that I get a new tranny instead. Apparently it costs about the same amount ($3000) to replace the tranny as a rebuild. Plus you can get a new one with a 50k warranty. I also heard that if you rebuild once, you will eventually have to do it again. So it sounds like I will just get a new one and replace it if some more shops recommend a rebuild and when I have the cash. Plus a rebuild would take a lot longer than the replacement.

Also, the other problem I had was with the motor mounts. The mount bracket somehow slid off the rubber housing and was rubbing against the bracket on the frame. This was metal on metal causing the loud vibration on acceleration. I had the motor mount replaced, but the problem seemed to come back after a while. I think my tranny is twisting the engine and causing that but I haven't figured a permanent fix for it. Check out your motor mounts, they tend to go bad on most jeep cherokees. They went on my 92 cherokee as well a while back. Keep in touch I want ot ix this stuff too, lemme know what you find out.

thanks Dave

Thanks for replying. I bought a TPS for $42 at Autozone and plan to change the tranny fluid. If it works that would be nice if not I will drive it this way and buy my wife something perfect:)
I will let you know how it turns out. No way am I spending 3k.
Dean

I just bought a 98 Limited with the exact same problem. Did you pursue the rebuild?

I am surprised you guys are having transmission problems. This transmission, the AW4 is renown for longevity and reliablilty. I have a 97 and a 01 XJ...the 97 has 124K on it. Try changing the trans fluid. I have an external cooler on the 97.

Also check the NSS (neutral saftey switch or prindle switch as the dealers call it- for PRNDL). These transmission are electronically controlled. This switch is known for gumming up and giving a check engine light. It can be rebuilt as indicated on this site.

I don't know about a loose sun shell....huh? This truck is new enough that you should see a Chrysler Jeep dealer with electronic diagnosis equipment.
It plugs into the OBDII link.

Also too high an idle speed will cause the transmission to clunk when stopping. Check the throttle plate adjustment (.002 inch). The TPS is also located here and is link the this adjustment. Clean the gunk of the throttle body also (inside).

Well I tried the TPS and changing the tranny fluid. No improvement. I scrutinized the motor and transmission mounts. They look great. I did hear an occasional clunk from the rear end area when checking the mounts. I am starting to wonder if this a transmission problem or driveline? I should take it to the dealer but I am frugal with repairs. I figure if it gets worse then it will be easy to diagnose. If not I can live with it.
Dean

Well I tried the TPS and changing the tranny fluid. No improvement. I scrutinized the motor and transmission mounts. They look great. I did hear an occasional clunk from the rear end area when checking the mounts. I am starting to wonder if this a transmission problem or driveline? I should take it to the dealer but I am frugal with repairs. I figure if it gets worse then it will be easy to diagnose. If not I can live with it.
Dean

I have had U-joints on the driveshaft make clunks. I have seen bolts come loose on the driveshaft. And I have seen shocks clunk, as well as loose body parts such as a bumper mounting. A simple way to check is to jack up the rear while in 2WD and run the truck in drive and count your shifts up and listen to the braking too. A lift works even better, if you have a fellow mechanic listen from below.