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HELP! 97 TJ Transmission Problem!

Hello everyone:

I was offroading today in a mud pit. After having a lot of fun, I was
driving around in the mud pit, and suddely my transmission went into
neutral, and I was unable to shift into any gears. No bang, boom,
nothing. I didn't hit anything. I didnt' feel anything. Just suddenly
I looked at my RPMs and then were way up and found out I was in
Neutral. Unable to move in any gear (automatic transmission), and yes
I tried moving the transfer case in and out of 4x4 etc., I was towed
away from the mud and was able to take a look. Nothing seemed out of
the ordinary. We tried it again and it started moving, but was
accomponied by a loud wining sound. The Jeep drives but if I rev the
engine, the sound got louder (this sound does NOT occur in park, even
if I rev it). So I went onto pavement, and got to around 15/20 MPH,
which was at way higher RPMs than normal, and them my transmission
slipped back into neutral and the noise went away. So then I put it
into park and back into D a couple of times, and pulled the E brake
and let it back down (sounds unrelated I know but that seemed to
influence it) and then I'd hear the noise again and it'd move but slip
along. What's going on? Currently I can't drive my Jeep and I'm gonna
have to tow it somewhere, but I'd like an idea or something. Maybe my
fluid is low? I checked the fluid and its the right color but I
haven't checked the level yet. Maybe this is unrelated to the
offroading and the transmission had a problem waiting to happen
anyways? Please help.

Thanks,
Mik

97 TJ
68,000 Miles
Auto Tranny

Re: HELP! 97 TJ Transmission Problem!

97tjMike <MichaelJunior@gmail.com> wrote:

> Maybe my fluid is low? I checked the fluid and its the right color
> but I haven't checked the level yet.

I'd check the level first, if it's OK you'll need to tow it to a shop.

Re: HELP! 97 TJ Transmission Problem!

On May 13, 12:43 am, XS11E <xs11...@SPAMyahoo.com> wrote:
> 97tjMike <MichaelJun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Maybe my fluid is low? I checked the fluid and its the right color
> > but I haven't checked the level yet.
>
> I'd check the level first, if it's OK you'll need to tow it to a shop.

I'll do that ASAP. Also I didnt mention, its been sitting now for a
while and no leaks anywhere.

Re: HELP! 97 TJ Transmission Problem!

97tjMike wrote:
> Hello everyone:
>
> I was offroading today in a mud pit. After having a lot of fun, I was
> driving around in the mud pit, and suddely my transmission went into
> neutral, and I was unable to shift into any gears. No bang, boom,
> nothing. I didn't hit anything. I didnt' feel anything. Just suddenly
> I looked at my RPMs and then were way up and found out I was in
> Neutral. Unable to move in any gear (automatic transmission), and yes
> I tried moving the transfer case in and out of 4x4 etc., I was towed
> away from the mud and was able to take a look. Nothing seemed out of
> the ordinary. We tried it again and it started moving, but was
> accomponied by a loud wining sound. The Jeep drives but if I rev the
> engine, the sound got louder (this sound does NOT occur in park, even
> if I rev it). So I went onto pavement, and got to around 15/20 MPH,
> which was at way higher RPMs than normal, and them my transmission
> slipped back into neutral and the noise went away. So then I put it
> into park and back into D a couple of times, and pulled the E brake
> and let it back down (sounds unrelated I know but that seemed to
> influence it) and then I'd hear the noise again and it'd move but slip
> along. What's going on? Currently I can't drive my Jeep and I'm gonna
> have to tow it somewhere, but I'd like an idea or something. Maybe my
> fluid is low? I checked the fluid and its the right color but I
> haven't checked the level yet. Maybe this is unrelated to the
> offroading and the transmission had a problem waiting to happen
> anyways? Please help.
>
> Thanks,
> Mik
>
> 97 TJ
> 68,000 Miles
> Auto Tranny
>

If it doesn't move in any gear, it is probably something wrong in the
transmission pump. Usually, but not always, if a seal or clutch goes bad
you will only lose 1 or 2 gears. Most transmissions have 2 or 3 pressure
ports at the side of the case. If you know someone that has the service
repair manual for your trans, you can get the pressure specs and hook a
gauge to the ports. If the pressures at all the ports are low, then the
pump has failed. If only one of them is low, then a seal on one of the
pistons has let go, or possibly there is a valve stuck in the valve
body. Whatever you do, do not try to drive it anymore!!! If the pressure
is low from the pump, trying to move it will only damage the band(s) and
clutches. If the pump is in fact bad, you can just have the pump serviced.

Before you do that though, I would drain the fluid and see if there is
any sign of clutch facing material in the pan. If the fluid is full of
crud, then it's probably rebuild time.

Several transmissions have had service problems with the pumps caused
from the rotors or vanes in the pump cracking, or even sticking. Could
also be a seal in the pump.

Like I said though, it is imparitive that you do NOT try to move it any
more under its own power until you find the problem. It could save you a
complete rebuild.

Chris