IÆm having a problem with my Æ02 Trooper. Let me run it past you to see if there is anything IÆm missing. I would describe the problem as ôa gutless hesitation or slippingö. It happens most persistently when starting from a stop (either moving forward or in reverse) Then again when cruising along around 35 û 45 mph with the accelerator only slightly depressed. It will always happen when the motor / transmission is hot and only sometimes when it is cold.

My first inclination was the transmission; here is the tranny historyà Started towing a 4,800 lbs (fully loaded) trailer. Noticed burning tranny fluid smell while negotiating steep mountain incline. Shortly after I installed an AUX tranny cooler. I can still smell the fluid a little and only on steep grades. But I havenÆt changed the fluid as of yet (last change was 11k û 12k miles ago). When I first noticed the tranny burning smell (before the "gutless hesitation") I took it into a Trans Shop (Aamco) to have them check it out. They said the fluid looked good, and the trans was in "tip-top" shape. Took it back into them when I first noticed the ôgutless hesitationö and they said itÆs not the transmission, but rather the motor.

So now what could be wrong with the motor to produce these symptoms? The motor was replaced at 66k with a new one from the factory by the dealer at my expense, but thatÆs a whole other story. If you want, you can read about it here

I replaced the fuel filter and ran Sea Foam through the tank and the brake booster line.

There have not been any indicators on the dash (check engine, A/T Oil) during any of these times.

I am going to have the tranny fluid changed out and see if that makes any difference. Anything else I should check or do?

Thanks,
-Jared

Just a note, if you change your ATF, make sure not to "flush" it, just drain two pans, change the filter and add more ATF. I also added inline magnetic transmission filter as an extra insurance.

Arek

I decided to take it into another trans shop for a second opinion. I was refered to the shop by many friends and they seem to be reputable. Transmissions are all they do, however he wasn't too excited to work on an import. He said that he would do it; but that the parts are generally more expensive and would involve more labor thus making it more expensive.

I relayed the problem to him and asked if he thought changing the fluid is a good idea. He said changing the fluid is a good maintence proceedure but it won't solve any problems there are with a transmission. Today it drives and shifts very smoothly so there was nothing more I could do then to tell him what's happening. He said that it could be a solenoid that is droping out when it's hot or a cracked cilynder but there is no way of knowing with out opening it up.

I opted to wait for the symptoms to reapear and bring it back into him to see for himself and go from there.

This is frustrating, I know there is a problem, not sure what it is; but I want to get it fixed before any more damage is done. But I can't get anyone to tell me what exactly the problem is.

-Jared

Did you ever get this problem taken care of? My 2000 Trooper is doing something similar, but getting worse and the 2-3 shift is starting to slip. I am probably going to need to take it in. Thnkas

I haven't solved the problem as of yet. It had seemed to have settled down; but then this last weekend I took it on a 800 mile round trip at 75 mph speeds and found that it is now a little worse when it's cruising between 35 - 50 mph. I had the fluid replaced but dosn't seem to have made any difference.

Have you done anything with yours Dark Angel

by the way I erred on the year in the topic mine is a "2000" also.