Tranny revs high

[FlatLanderHandicap]

Hopefully someone will have some insight on this tranny problem...

Its a 92 laredo 4 speed auto 4.0I.
The jeep works great from first to second gear but getting into 3rd is an issue. The engine will rev really high in second until I reach roughly 35mph and then let off the gas, only then will it shift smoothly to 3rd. Could this mean that I need to fix the entire tranny or could it possibly be some sensors that have gone bad? Where should I look first?

-John

Other issues:

-Death wobble at 55mph
-Will start up fine when you first turn the car on when the car has been sitting for awhile, but if you turn it off and try to restart sometimes it will start and sometimes it wont.
-4H and 4L arent working properly (need to check this again, they may be fine)

[GregA]

Originally Posted by FlatLanderHandicap

Hopefully someone will have some insight on this tranny problem...

Its a 92 laredo 4 speed auto 4.0I.
The jeep works great from first to second gear but getting into 3rd is an issue. The engine will rev really high in second until I reach roughly 35mph and then let off the gas, only then will it shift smoothly to 3rd. Could this mean that I need to fix the entire tranny or could it possibly be some sensors that have gone bad? Where should I look first?

-John

I am interested in what this could be too. Same vehicle, year, motor, tranny. Similar symptoms (stays a high revs between 2nd & 3rd, until I let off the gas).

[sector95]

The AW4 is a pretty bullet proof tranny but..... there is one important adjustment that should be checked. These transmissions use what's called a TV cable (and no, it doesn't get ESPN2). Look at the throttle body and you'll see two cables (three if you have cruise control). One cable is the throttle and will head back through the firewall. The second will move back and downward, disappearing below the engine and connecting to the transmission; this is the TV cable. Cruise cable usually just goes across the engine bay to the control unit. The TV cable controls certain internal valves, operating pressures and shift points in the transmission based on throttle position; the cable has to be adjusted properly to transmit the correct throttle inputs.

The adjustment is simple. The cable is held in place with a bracket/adjuster just before the throttle body. There should be a tab or button to push that will release the cable. Push in the tab while pulling the cable out away from the adjuster and throttle body; it should slip out about 1 1/2" or so (make sure it's fully extended). Now, rotate the throttle plate lever on the throttle body to wide open; do this firmly as you will be pulling against the ratcheting of the TV cable adjuster. Make sure the throttle is fully wide open.... and that's it. If in doubt, do the procedure again. This may or may not fix your problem and long term driving with a TV cable seriously out of adjustment can cause adverse wear in the transmission.

Check your fluid level. You *must* do this with the engine hot (30 minutes of local, stop and go driving will do the trick; stay off the freeway). Too little or too much fluid are equally bad; add or drain as needed. Dexron III is what you need if the fluid is low; add a little at a time until the level is at the full mark or just a hair below. Smell the fluid; does it smell burned? That's a tell tale sign of internal slippage. Color is not a good indicator of fluid condition; as long as it smells like tranny fluid, it's okay.

Hope this helps....

Mike

[FlatLanderHandicap]

Alrite well alls i did is unplug the TPS clean it out a bit, cleaned out the throttle body too. The engine doesnt rev high anymore. Some of the shifts are a lil jerky but 10 times better than before. I'm sure a new TPS would make it run better though.