Hope somebody can help me out. I have a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 35,500 miles (4.0L 6-cylinder automatic). Since Friday, I've noticed that it seems that the transmission isn't going into first. Accelerating from a stop is very very sluggish and slow. However, if I manually put it into first (when stopped) and then accelerate, it accelerates normally (I put it back into D at around 3,500 RPM).

I got home today and I checked the transmission fluid. According to the manual, I should check it after about a 15 miles drive. Well, it was only a 3 mile drive from the subway station. I did as the manual recommended (level ground, start the engine, parking brake on, foot on brake, shift into all gears, leave in N, check fluid). The fluid level was above the max for hot even though it was relatively cold (not near the 15 mile min required).

I had the 37,500 preventative mantenance done 7/27/04 at the Jeep dealer but this problem only started Friday.

Any ideas what's going on so I can call the dealer as an informed customer (or is this something I can handle myself)?

Thanks in advance.

it sounds like your govorner is sticking in the tranny, or the valves are sticking. a good flush (done by a pro) may cure it, but you might need to partially dissasemble the tranny and repair the govonor/valve body. over full shouldn't make it stick in gear. also try adjusting the TV cable if yours has one. a chilton should tell you if it does, and if it is adjustbale and how. if you do a search i've written some on adjusting the TV cable. it might have slipped and is relativly closed.

Thanks for the response. It sounds like it's a little more than I can handle myself. But more importantly, it doesn't sound like a terrible issue (i.e. tranny is falling apart).

I guess a call to the dealer (since I have an extended warranty) is in order. Just need to find the time to take it in.

If you have an extended warranty, I'll betcha right now that they rebuild the tranny! Them guys don't like to partway do things. It may be small but dealers cannot take chances they go for the whole thing.
BJ <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

4 words... Seventy-Thousand mile powertrain warrantee

My "service contract" is for 7 years, 75,000 miles. For transmission, it covers "Transmission case and all internal parts; torque converter; drive/flex plate; transmission range switch; transmission control module; bell housing; oil pan; seals and gaskets for listed components only"

I'm hoping this will cover the problem. Any clue on how long the job would take - one day or more?

you got it made

The valve bodies are trouble prone and waranteed no question most of the time. Is yours an overdrive or 3 speed auto?

I'm pretty sure it is an overdrive - since there is a button on the gear select lever that turns O/D on or off.

When you take it in, ask them if it is an AW4 or 42RE trans. I have a bet riding that one guy claims none of the 4.0L came with O/D other than the AW4.