'00 3 speed tranny (30rh?)

[DingosDad]

Howdy fellers,

Ok, I've spent the last three nights researching and I can't find much at all about the 3 speed transmission in this Cherokee. I hate to start a new thread without making sure the question or problem hasn't been answered previously.

Here's what I've got: '00 Cherokee L4 2.5L with ( I think) a 30RH tranny.

Here's my problem: When the transmission is put into ( D ), the tranny starts in 2nd gear. Shifting is normal from 2nd to 3rd and down shifting from 3rd to 2nd. The only way to engage 1st gear while in (D) is to floor the peddle to WOT. However; manually putting the tranny into (1) engages 1st gear flawlessly.

Most all the information I have found in the forums having to do with this problem has to do with the AW4 tranny (usually with a bad TPS or failure of the solenoids withing the tranny)

I've drained the oil, and replaced with ATF +4, changed the filter, but no joy, same problem.

I need help from folks smarter than I am to know which direction to go to from here.

Thanks

[2000izusu]

just fyi, not many cherokee xj's were made with the 2.5L 30rh combo, but alot a wranglers were.
so if you don't get your answer here try a active wrangler forum. mike