Transmission slippage please help!!!

[mymachine]

I own a 1999 Grand Cherokee and have had problems with the transmission not wanting to go into third gear. This ONLY happens when the trans is cold ( below 50 degrees outside air temp ). It seems to go into a neutral gear but if you back off the throttle for a second or two, it will shift with no throttle behind it. After driving it for approx a half an hour, the problem seems to go away. I have had no problems with this in the warmer months, but I did have the same problem last winter. I changed the trans filter and fluid last summer, though I did not perform an entire flush. Has anyone else had this problem?

[dksob81]

check the tranny fluid level, make sure the jeep is running and in NEUTRAL. it sounds liek the fluid is low and not giving the pressure needed to shift then after warming (driving for half hour like u said) the fluid gets hott and expands giving the pressure needed to shift.

[mymachine]

I did check the fluid level and it seems fine. I have been told by a few people the bands are starting to fail. Does this sound right? Is this something a flush may take care of?

[dksob81]

no a flush will not take care of a band failure, but you could adjust the bands and that may take care of it, i would also have the tranny flushed. you may want to have them adjust the bands before they do the flush.

[mymachine]

Is the band adjustment a costly thing to do?

[dksob81]

I am not sure, never had it done by a mechanic. it is not that hard to do yourself tho. I would suspect ti shouldn't be that expensive - it is part of the regular maintenence during tranny fluid/filter change, so it might be included in part of the flush at the dealer. You may ask about it.

[mymachine]

I actually work for a company that supplies Chrysler all of their dealer service chemicals. So when it came time for my fluid change, I just grabbed some ATF+4 and changed it myself never knowing about the band adjustment! I did some research and found that there was a TSB on adjusting the bands at the first service interval, but I purchased my Jeep after that period and assume the original owner never had it done. The question now is whether or not to loosen the adjustment or tighten! Thansk for your info

[dksob81]

well the band ajustment actually consist of tightening each bad (front and rear) to spec/torq and then back it off so many turns, I am not sure of the exact procedure for your transmission.

[JDPascal]

There is a front and rear band to adjust on most chrysler transmissions depending on the model.

The front band is done from the outside and the rear is done when the pan is removed.

The specs vary with the model but the procedure is to loosen the lock nut, tighten the band adjusting screw with and INCH/LB torque wrench to a specified torque and back off the adjusting screw an exact amount (eg 7/8 turn).

The new adjustment will result in tightening the band but how much is impossible to say.

JD

[mymachine]

Hey thanks!!! I have done some additional research and found this to be a pretty typical adjustment. In fact, the Chrysler TSB fix was to loosen the adjustment screw three turns from the pre-determined torque amount. Do you know exactly where this is on the transmission? It warmed up here in Michigan today and it is shifting fine again.....

[dksob81]

not exact on your model, but one adjustment is on the outside of the band should be near the shifter lever (on the transmission) and the other is inside the transmission - u have to drop the transmission pan to get to it.

[wpatters1229]

I have a 93 with the 6 cyc. and have the same problem but it did not start until after a full 80k service by the dealer. They changed the fluid etc..
Now it does exactly what you descirbed. The fluid level is fine etc.. I've heard said that if the wrong fluid is used it will cause this problem. Once it warms up it shifts just fine. I would think that a band adjustment would not fix this problem since it seems associated with temp. of the fluid. It also only effects shifting in the higher gear. WEIRD

[mymachine]

I have also heard that if the filter is put in and the cork seal does not seat exactly right on the valve body, this will also happen...Your'e right....very weird!

[wpatters1229]

The last thing I want to do is take it back to the dealer. They are crooks and I will never do business with them again. I guess I will just live with it until I get a new jeep.....from a different dealer!!!

[rwhoke]

I am having the same problem as mymachine, althought hte shifting doesnt make any strang noises if the overdrive is off.