Le Chaud Lapin

My Jeep is mad at me and is about to give up.

I have many issues I have neglected so far, mostly due to lack of
understanding of how to fix them. I am hoping some of them might be
related.

The first problem was present when I first bought the Jeep. From 1st
to 2nd gear changeover, there would be what I can only describe as a
forceful slam coming from the rear, audible and enough to shake the
passengers. The dealer refused to fix it. Like an idiot, I let it
ride while still under warranty.

The second, which is far more recent, is a metallic whine at pretty
much any speed, coming from the rear also and varying in pitch with
speed of vehicle. My first guess is bearings in U-joint at
differential, but I am not sure, and I don't have a lift where I can
check.

The third problem is that, sometimes at stop light, unless I press on
brake really hard, the engine will stall. Putting gear in park while
waiting at light entirely eliminates the problem. I don't have a clue
on this one.

The other final most annoying problem is that, while driving, the
transmission will not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. I have actually been
playing tricks with it over past few months, accelerating, easing up
off gas, then giving little more to help the computer know when to
shift. Obviously something is seriously wrong. What's more disturbing
is that, while I'm driving, I can actually feel the transmission
shifting between 3rd and 4th gear, back and forth, constantly no matter
what, about once every 3 seconds. The gear indicator is not *exactly*
aligned either.

Since it's 10 years old, I'd rather do all the repairs myelf, even
though I am inexperienced.

Any help appreciated.

-Le Chaud Lapin-

Earle Horton

Without looking at the vehicle, what you most likely have is a bad ring and
pinion. This is possibly a result of bad carrier and/or pinion bearings.
That is your most serious problem. Additional possibilities are low
transmission fluid, a bad lockup converter, shifter improperly adjusted, and
something I can't figure out causing the overdrive to hunt. As an
inexperienced mechanic, about the only issue you can hope to address
yourself is the transmission fluid level. You need to get a good and honest
mechanic to look at this vehicle soon.

Earle

"Le Chaud Lapin" <unoriginal_username@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1138438726.051143.279680@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> My Jeep is mad at me and is about to give up.
>
> I have many issues I have neglected so far, mostly due to lack of
> understanding of how to fix them. I am hoping some of them might be
> related.
>
> The first problem was present when I first bought the Jeep. From 1st
> to 2nd gear changeover, there would be what I can only describe as a
> forceful slam coming from the rear, audible and enough to shake the
> passengers. The dealer refused to fix it. Like an idiot, I let it
> ride while still under warranty.
>
> The second, which is far more recent, is a metallic whine at pretty
> much any speed, coming from the rear also and varying in pitch with
> speed of vehicle. My first guess is bearings in U-joint at
> differential, but I am not sure, and I don't have a lift where I can
> check.
>
> The third problem is that, sometimes at stop light, unless I press on
> brake really hard, the engine will stall. Putting gear in park while
> waiting at light entirely eliminates the problem. I don't have a clue
> on this one.
>
> The other final most annoying problem is that, while driving, the
> transmission will not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. I have actually been
> playing tricks with it over past few months, accelerating, easing up
> off gas, then giving little more to help the computer know when to
> shift. Obviously something is seriously wrong. What's more disturbing
> is that, while I'm driving, I can actually feel the transmission
> shifting between 3rd and 4th gear, back and forth, constantly no matter
> what, about once every 3 seconds. The gear indicator is not *exactly*
> aligned either.
>
> Since it's 10 years old, I'd rather do all the repairs myelf, even
> though I am inexperienced.
>
> Any help appreciated.
>
> -Le Chaud Lapin-
>

Earle Horton

Without looking at the vehicle, what you most likely have is a bad ring and
pinion. This is possibly a result of bad carrier and/or pinion bearings.
That is your most serious problem. Additional possibilities are low
transmission fluid, a bad lockup converter, shifter improperly adjusted, and
something I can't figure out causing the overdrive to hunt. As an
inexperienced mechanic, about the only issue you can hope to address
yourself is the transmission fluid level. You need to get a good and honest
mechanic to look at this vehicle soon.

Earle

"Le Chaud Lapin" <unoriginal_username@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1138438726.051143.279680@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> My Jeep is mad at me and is about to give up.
>
> I have many issues I have neglected so far, mostly due to lack of
> understanding of how to fix them. I am hoping some of them might be
> related.
>
> The first problem was present when I first bought the Jeep. From 1st
> to 2nd gear changeover, there would be what I can only describe as a
> forceful slam coming from the rear, audible and enough to shake the
> passengers. The dealer refused to fix it. Like an idiot, I let it
> ride while still under warranty.
>
> The second, which is far more recent, is a metallic whine at pretty
> much any speed, coming from the rear also and varying in pitch with
> speed of vehicle. My first guess is bearings in U-joint at
> differential, but I am not sure, and I don't have a lift where I can
> check.
>
> The third problem is that, sometimes at stop light, unless I press on
> brake really hard, the engine will stall. Putting gear in park while
> waiting at light entirely eliminates the problem. I don't have a clue
> on this one.
>
> The other final most annoying problem is that, while driving, the
> transmission will not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. I have actually been
> playing tricks with it over past few months, accelerating, easing up
> off gas, then giving little more to help the computer know when to
> shift. Obviously something is seriously wrong. What's more disturbing
> is that, while I'm driving, I can actually feel the transmission
> shifting between 3rd and 4th gear, back and forth, constantly no matter
> what, about once every 3 seconds. The gear indicator is not *exactly*
> aligned either.
>
> Since it's 10 years old, I'd rather do all the repairs myelf, even
> though I am inexperienced.
>
> Any help appreciated.
>
> -Le Chaud Lapin-
>

Earle Horton

Without looking at the vehicle, what you most likely have is a bad ring and
pinion. This is possibly a result of bad carrier and/or pinion bearings.
That is your most serious problem. Additional possibilities are low
transmission fluid, a bad lockup converter, shifter improperly adjusted, and
something I can't figure out causing the overdrive to hunt. As an
inexperienced mechanic, about the only issue you can hope to address
yourself is the transmission fluid level. You need to get a good and honest
mechanic to look at this vehicle soon.

Earle

"Le Chaud Lapin" <unoriginal_username@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1138438726.051143.279680@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> My Jeep is mad at me and is about to give up.
>
> I have many issues I have neglected so far, mostly due to lack of
> understanding of how to fix them. I am hoping some of them might be
> related.
>
> The first problem was present when I first bought the Jeep. From 1st
> to 2nd gear changeover, there would be what I can only describe as a
> forceful slam coming from the rear, audible and enough to shake the
> passengers. The dealer refused to fix it. Like an idiot, I let it
> ride while still under warranty.
>
> The second, which is far more recent, is a metallic whine at pretty
> much any speed, coming from the rear also and varying in pitch with
> speed of vehicle. My first guess is bearings in U-joint at
> differential, but I am not sure, and I don't have a lift where I can
> check.
>
> The third problem is that, sometimes at stop light, unless I press on
> brake really hard, the engine will stall. Putting gear in park while
> waiting at light entirely eliminates the problem. I don't have a clue
> on this one.
>
> The other final most annoying problem is that, while driving, the
> transmission will not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. I have actually been
> playing tricks with it over past few months, accelerating, easing up
> off gas, then giving little more to help the computer know when to
> shift. Obviously something is seriously wrong. What's more disturbing
> is that, while I'm driving, I can actually feel the transmission
> shifting between 3rd and 4th gear, back and forth, constantly no matter
> what, about once every 3 seconds. The gear indicator is not *exactly*
> aligned either.
>
> Since it's 10 years old, I'd rather do all the repairs myelf, even
> though I am inexperienced.
>
> Any help appreciated.
>
> -Le Chaud Lapin-
>

Le Chaud Lapin

Earle Horton wrote:
> Without looking at the vehicle, what you most likely have is a bad ring and
> pinion. This is possibly a result of bad carrier and/or pinion bearings.
> That is your most serious problem. Additional possibilities are low
> transmission fluid, a bad lockup converter, shifter improperly adjusted, and
> something I can't figure out causing the overdrive to hunt. As an
> inexperienced mechanic, about the only issue you can hope to address
> yourself is the transmission fluid level. You need to get a good and honest
> mechanic to look at this vehicle soon.

Thanks. I am definitely going to start looking into these ideas to see
what I can find.

Though I live in area where it is easy to find a honest mechanic, I
purposely decided not because I want educate myself on automotive
repair. My job is is only 17 minutes away by car, and no one else
depends on this vehicle, and since it's almost 10 years old, I figured
that now is a good time to learn these things (maximum cost of mistake
is value of vehicle - brakes, etc. notwithstanding). I have already
prepared myself for the slapdowns that I will undoubtedly occur as I go
through my education, so hopefully I can hang on to the coat tails of
people in this news group and elsewhere as I move forward. :)

The good thing is, as an engineer, I do know when to excercise
discpline and put the tools down and go get someone to help me fix the
mess I made.

-Le Chaud Lapin-

Le Chaud Lapin

Earle Horton wrote:
> Without looking at the vehicle, what you most likely have is a bad ring and
> pinion. This is possibly a result of bad carrier and/or pinion bearings.
> That is your most serious problem. Additional possibilities are low
> transmission fluid, a bad lockup converter, shifter improperly adjusted, and
> something I can't figure out causing the overdrive to hunt. As an
> inexperienced mechanic, about the only issue you can hope to address
> yourself is the transmission fluid level. You need to get a good and honest
> mechanic to look at this vehicle soon.

Thanks. I am definitely going to start looking into these ideas to see
what I can find.

Though I live in area where it is easy to find a honest mechanic, I
purposely decided not because I want educate myself on automotive
repair. My job is is only 17 minutes away by car, and no one else
depends on this vehicle, and since it's almost 10 years old, I figured
that now is a good time to learn these things (maximum cost of mistake
is value of vehicle - brakes, etc. notwithstanding). I have already
prepared myself for the slapdowns that I will undoubtedly occur as I go
through my education, so hopefully I can hang on to the coat tails of
people in this news group and elsewhere as I move forward. :)

The good thing is, as an engineer, I do know when to excercise
discpline and put the tools down and go get someone to help me fix the
mess I made.

-Le Chaud Lapin-

Le Chaud Lapin

Earle Horton wrote:
> Without looking at the vehicle, what you most likely have is a bad ring and
> pinion. This is possibly a result of bad carrier and/or pinion bearings.
> That is your most serious problem. Additional possibilities are low
> transmission fluid, a bad lockup converter, shifter improperly adjusted, and
> something I can't figure out causing the overdrive to hunt. As an
> inexperienced mechanic, about the only issue you can hope to address
> yourself is the transmission fluid level. You need to get a good and honest
> mechanic to look at this vehicle soon.

Thanks. I am definitely going to start looking into these ideas to see
what I can find.

Though I live in area where it is easy to find a honest mechanic, I
purposely decided not because I want educate myself on automotive
repair. My job is is only 17 minutes away by car, and no one else
depends on this vehicle, and since it's almost 10 years old, I figured
that now is a good time to learn these things (maximum cost of mistake
is value of vehicle - brakes, etc. notwithstanding). I have already
prepared myself for the slapdowns that I will undoubtedly occur as I go
through my education, so hopefully I can hang on to the coat tails of
people in this news group and elsewhere as I move forward. :)

The good thing is, as an engineer, I do know when to excercise
discpline and put the tools down and go get someone to help me fix the
mess I made.

-Le Chaud Lapin-

Mike Romain

I can offer a couple guesses.

First off the u-joints can be checked on the ground. You just block the
wheels and/or use the parking brake, then put it in neutral to unload
the drivetrain. You then can reach under and twist and pull every which
way on each u-joint. You also look for rust marks at the caps. If you
find any play or rust coming out of a cap, that joint is dead.

Parking over top of a ditch or two front wheels on a steep bank can give
you lots of room also, block the wheels for this.

If it is internal rear end trouble you could be looking at large money
likely to repair it. It is not something most mechanics will do, there
are specialists for that job. If it is just something like a pinion
bearing, not too bad for expense, but still up there....

The odd shifting can just be a dirty connection on the throttle position
sensor. I recommend the sensor plug and socket be cleaned with an
electrical contact cleaner, then some dielectric grease be put on the
plug's sealing skirt. WD40 can be used in a pinch as a cleaner and
spark plug boot protector is dielectric grease.

All the plugs and sockets on the throttle body can benefit from the
clean, so can any on the sides of the transmission itself, but I would
do up top and see what happens first.

I also highly recommend you get the cheap Haynes manual for fast easy
lookups on most stuff and the real factory manual if you are really into
it.

Folks here can help with lots of things too.

I'll bet we all shudder remembering the last time our Jeep got mad at
us... LOL! I have 2 of 'em and they gang up on me sometimes....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Le Chaud Lapin wrote:
>
> My Jeep is mad at me and is about to give up.
>
> I have many issues I have neglected so far, mostly due to lack of
> understanding of how to fix them. I am hoping some of them might be
> related.
>
> The first problem was present when I first bought the Jeep. From 1st
> to 2nd gear changeover, there would be what I can only describe as a
> forceful slam coming from the rear, audible and enough to shake the
> passengers. The dealer refused to fix it. Like an idiot, I let it
> ride while still under warranty.
>
> The second, which is far more recent, is a metallic whine at pretty
> much any speed, coming from the rear also and varying in pitch with
> speed of vehicle. My first guess is bearings in U-joint at
> differential, but I am not sure, and I don't have a lift where I can
> check.
>
> The third problem is that, sometimes at stop light, unless I press on
> brake really hard, the engine will stall. Putting gear in park while
> waiting at light entirely eliminates the problem. I don't have a clue
> on this one.
>
> The other final most annoying problem is that, while driving, the
> transmission will not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. I have actually been
> playing tricks with it over past few months, accelerating, easing up
> off gas, then giving little more to help the computer know when to
> shift. Obviously something is seriously wrong. What's more disturbing
> is that, while I'm driving, I can actually feel the transmission
> shifting between 3rd and 4th gear, back and forth, constantly no matter
> what, about once every 3 seconds. The gear indicator is not *exactly*
> aligned either.
>
> Since it's 10 years old, I'd rather do all the repairs myelf, even
> though I am inexperienced.
>
> Any help appreciated.
>
> -Le Chaud Lapin-

Mike Romain

I can offer a couple guesses.

First off the u-joints can be checked on the ground. You just block the
wheels and/or use the parking brake, then put it in neutral to unload
the drivetrain. You then can reach under and twist and pull every which
way on each u-joint. You also look for rust marks at the caps. If you
find any play or rust coming out of a cap, that joint is dead.

Parking over top of a ditch or two front wheels on a steep bank can give
you lots of room also, block the wheels for this.

If it is internal rear end trouble you could be looking at large money
likely to repair it. It is not something most mechanics will do, there
are specialists for that job. If it is just something like a pinion
bearing, not too bad for expense, but still up there....

The odd shifting can just be a dirty connection on the throttle position
sensor. I recommend the sensor plug and socket be cleaned with an
electrical contact cleaner, then some dielectric grease be put on the
plug's sealing skirt. WD40 can be used in a pinch as a cleaner and
spark plug boot protector is dielectric grease.

All the plugs and sockets on the throttle body can benefit from the
clean, so can any on the sides of the transmission itself, but I would
do up top and see what happens first.

I also highly recommend you get the cheap Haynes manual for fast easy
lookups on most stuff and the real factory manual if you are really into
it.

Folks here can help with lots of things too.

I'll bet we all shudder remembering the last time our Jeep got mad at
us... LOL! I have 2 of 'em and they gang up on me sometimes....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Le Chaud Lapin wrote:
>
> My Jeep is mad at me and is about to give up.
>
> I have many issues I have neglected so far, mostly due to lack of
> understanding of how to fix them. I am hoping some of them might be
> related.
>
> The first problem was present when I first bought the Jeep. From 1st
> to 2nd gear changeover, there would be what I can only describe as a
> forceful slam coming from the rear, audible and enough to shake the
> passengers. The dealer refused to fix it. Like an idiot, I let it
> ride while still under warranty.
>
> The second, which is far more recent, is a metallic whine at pretty
> much any speed, coming from the rear also and varying in pitch with
> speed of vehicle. My first guess is bearings in U-joint at
> differential, but I am not sure, and I don't have a lift where I can
> check.
>
> The third problem is that, sometimes at stop light, unless I press on
> brake really hard, the engine will stall. Putting gear in park while
> waiting at light entirely eliminates the problem. I don't have a clue
> on this one.
>
> The other final most annoying problem is that, while driving, the
> transmission will not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. I have actually been
> playing tricks with it over past few months, accelerating, easing up
> off gas, then giving little more to help the computer know when to
> shift. Obviously something is seriously wrong. What's more disturbing
> is that, while I'm driving, I can actually feel the transmission
> shifting between 3rd and 4th gear, back and forth, constantly no matter
> what, about once every 3 seconds. The gear indicator is not *exactly*
> aligned either.
>
> Since it's 10 years old, I'd rather do all the repairs myelf, even
> though I am inexperienced.
>
> Any help appreciated.
>
> -Le Chaud Lapin-

Mike Romain

I can offer a couple guesses.

First off the u-joints can be checked on the ground. You just block the
wheels and/or use the parking brake, then put it in neutral to unload
the drivetrain. You then can reach under and twist and pull every which
way on each u-joint. You also look for rust marks at the caps. If you
find any play or rust coming out of a cap, that joint is dead.

Parking over top of a ditch or two front wheels on a steep bank can give
you lots of room also, block the wheels for this.

If it is internal rear end trouble you could be looking at large money
likely to repair it. It is not something most mechanics will do, there
are specialists for that job. If it is just something like a pinion
bearing, not too bad for expense, but still up there....

The odd shifting can just be a dirty connection on the throttle position
sensor. I recommend the sensor plug and socket be cleaned with an
electrical contact cleaner, then some dielectric grease be put on the
plug's sealing skirt. WD40 can be used in a pinch as a cleaner and
spark plug boot protector is dielectric grease.

All the plugs and sockets on the throttle body can benefit from the
clean, so can any on the sides of the transmission itself, but I would
do up top and see what happens first.

I also highly recommend you get the cheap Haynes manual for fast easy
lookups on most stuff and the real factory manual if you are really into
it.

Folks here can help with lots of things too.

I'll bet we all shudder remembering the last time our Jeep got mad at
us... LOL! I have 2 of 'em and they gang up on me sometimes....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Le Chaud Lapin wrote:
>
> My Jeep is mad at me and is about to give up.
>
> I have many issues I have neglected so far, mostly due to lack of
> understanding of how to fix them. I am hoping some of them might be
> related.
>
> The first problem was present when I first bought the Jeep. From 1st
> to 2nd gear changeover, there would be what I can only describe as a
> forceful slam coming from the rear, audible and enough to shake the
> passengers. The dealer refused to fix it. Like an idiot, I let it
> ride while still under warranty.
>
> The second, which is far more recent, is a metallic whine at pretty
> much any speed, coming from the rear also and varying in pitch with
> speed of vehicle. My first guess is bearings in U-joint at
> differential, but I am not sure, and I don't have a lift where I can
> check.
>
> The third problem is that, sometimes at stop light, unless I press on
> brake really hard, the engine will stall. Putting gear in park while
> waiting at light entirely eliminates the problem. I don't have a clue
> on this one.
>
> The other final most annoying problem is that, while driving, the
> transmission will not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. I have actually been
> playing tricks with it over past few months, accelerating, easing up
> off gas, then giving little more to help the computer know when to
> shift. Obviously something is seriously wrong. What's more disturbing
> is that, while I'm driving, I can actually feel the transmission
> shifting between 3rd and 4th gear, back and forth, constantly no matter
> what, about once every 3 seconds. The gear indicator is not *exactly*
> aligned either.
>
> Since it's 10 years old, I'd rather do all the repairs myelf, even
> though I am inexperienced.
>
> Any help appreciated.
>
> -Le Chaud Lapin-