88 XJ - Tranny slipping when cold outside

greenjeep4 · 10-21-2008, 01:39 AM

This autumn air is creating a problem - the automatic transmission in my 88 Cherokee is starting to slip again and occassionally won't upshift out of first gear.
Does anyone else have a transmission that acts up in the colder weather? Is there a fix for this?
The transmission fluid has been flushed as well as the filter changed.

Thanks,
Elle

2000izusu · 10-21-2008, 07:58 AM

this is known as a condition called morning sickness. on high mileage transmissions (autos) the seals will shrink when it is cold out. when they shrink, the fluid is not going where it is suppose to, and you get the slipping and no shift to second. the fix for it is a transmission rebuild, which is cost prohibitive.

i had a 1992 camry with this problem, for years before i sold it! what i did was idle the car every morning (when cold) until the trans fluid was warm enough to swell the seals (10 min). then off i went. i drove it like this for 5 years! and sold it running (still running today). mike

MagicRat · 10-21-2008, 11:05 PM

My '84 Jeep has had this problem for a long time. If it sits for more than a day, the transmission will not engage any gear at all upon first starting the engine.

However, if I shift it back and forward between Drive and Reverse about 5-8 times after the engine has started, it will then engage a gear and perform flawlessly for the rest of the day.
It has been doing this for the last 30,000 miles or so.

gtmud · 10-22-2008, 06:58 AM

My 89 does the same, or has been, also would have prolonged shifts when cold. I drained the tranny and added Lucas treatment and adjusted the TV cable, gave it a little bit of slack(about 2 clicks) and it seems to work great for now.

greenjeep4 · 10-24-2008, 02:31 AM

Thank you for the replies.

I'll have to try the 10 minute warm up. Usually, I do let it warm up but not that long because of current fuel prices.

Elle

MagicRat · 10-24-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtmud

My 89 does the same, or has been, also would have prolonged shifts when cold. I drained the tranny and added Lucas treatment and adjusted the TV cable, gave it a little bit of slack(about 2 clicks) and it seems to work great for now.

Excellent point. The TV (throttle valve) cable must be adjusted properly or long-term damage may result.

greenjeep4 · 10-26-2008, 01:30 AM

How difficult is it to tighten the throttle valve cable - and where is it located, etc?

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