Grand Cherokee slips on occasion when cold

[drizler]

Oil bna filter were changed last summer, 00 Grand cherokee 4.0 with select track trans, 80 k miles. My wifes car so I dont' drive it much. I had it the other night and it was very cold out. The tranny or something in the drive train slipped while accelerating moderatly and immediately caught. It reminded me of starting out on ice with the tire spinning and immidiately hitting a dry patch. Wife says its been doing it on occasion but only when very cold. Tranny was in 4 w all time drive when it slipped. We keep it there most of the time. One thing I noticed was of late the tranny doesn't want to go into 2wd fully. It feels like the shift cable has stretched and or is out of adjustment. Could that be the problem ?

[oljeeptek]

Originally Posted by drizler

Oil bna filter were changed last summer, 00 Grand cherokee 4.0 with select track trans, 80 k miles. My wifes car so I dont' drive it much. I had it the other night and it was very cold out. The tranny or something in the drive train slipped while accelerating moderatly and immediately caught. It reminded me of starting out on ice with the tire spinning and immidiately hitting a dry patch. Wife says its been doing it on occasion but only when very cold. Tranny was in 4 w all time drive when it slipped. We keep it there most of the time. One thing I noticed was of late the tranny doesn't want to go into 2wd fully. It feels like the shift cable has stretched and or is out of adjustment. Could that be the problem ?

Shift cable shouldn't do that. Check the fluid level. It's common to do that even if it's only 3/4 quart down. My 98 Durango has done the same thing twice. Added 3/4 - 1 quart atf both times and works great. Maybe I should fix the leaking cooler line. Nah, too lazy.

Make sure the truck & trans are at full op temp or the dipstick won't read right.

[Bob D.]

Is it happening only on start up after sitting a few days?
If so, it's the check valve in the transmission allowing fluid to drain from the torque converter.
Not a big deal - happens to many good transmissions on occasion.
When it slips, put it back into neutral for several seconds then back into gear to get fluid back to the torque converter. Or shift into neutral first then into gear.
Just make sure fluid is at the proper level.

Unless there is a problem with the viscous coupling transfer case, the 2 wheel drive shift problem is a separate issue.

[drizler]

Thanks bob, It only seems to happen when its real cold out and early on dirving it. I wouldn't say its a real long slip. More like a wheel spinning on a patch of ice in the middle of otherwise dry road. It lasts about 1/4 second than snatches. I can't say much about it beyond that as I don't drive it much.[ Thanks for the ideas.





QUOTE=Bob D.]Is it happening only on start up after sitting a few days?
If so, it's the check valve in the transmission allowing fluid to drain from the torque converter.
Not a big deal - happens to many good transmissions on occasion.
When it slips, put it back into neutral for several seconds then back into gear to get fluid back to the torque converter. Or shift into neutral first then into gear.
Just make sure fluid is at the proper level.

Unless there is a problem with the viscous coupling transfer case, the 2 wheel drive shift problem is a separate issue.[/quote]

[drizler]

I will post the solution I found to this so that anyone who has a similar problem might find it easily. WHEN THEY SAY CHECK IN NEUTRAL THEY MEAN NEUTRAL, NOT PARK.