Hi Guys,
Asking about my 2001 Jeep Cherokee with the AW4 transmission in it. 143K light duty miles on the Jeep. Original fluid flushed at about 55K, then periodic drain/refills until 123K when I did another full flush. At that point it was filled with Wolf’s Head Universal Synthetic ATF. I believe the filter in the transmission is the 3rd it’s had.
The transmission still shifts very crisply. But over the last month or so, I’ve started to notice something when coasting to stop signs/lights. The last downshift it makes is not as smooth as it used to be. It’s almost like a little hiccup that causes the tach to rise about 200 RPM (from approx. 1000 to 1200). Not a huge deal, but different than it’s been like before. I feel like it’s a long way from stranding me, but would be curious to hear your ideas on what has led to this change in shift pattern.
Also, when accelerating, there sometimes seems to be a little “slack” in between me pushing on the gas and the driveline responding. It almost seems like something isn’t engaged. Then it takes a moment to engage and off I go. Once I’m on the gas, everything is normal and all upshifts are clean. (I’ve had transmissions slip before and this really doesn’t seem like a slip.)
I’m not sure if I’m looking at two separate issues here or just one. I do know this transmission is known for being quite sturdy so I’d be surprised and disappointed if it’s anything too major. I feel like the Jeep has been babied and ATF maintenance has been above average.
Any ideas would be helpful. Sorry for the long post but I tried to be thorough. Thanks a lot. Happy Thanksgiving.
-Scott
Asking about my 2001 Jeep Cherokee with the AW4 transmission in it. 143K light duty miles on the Jeep. Original fluid flushed at about 55K, then periodic drain/refills until 123K when I did another full flush. At that point it was filled with Wolf’s Head Universal Synthetic ATF. I believe the filter in the transmission is the 3rd it’s had.
The transmission still shifts very crisply. But over the last month or so, I’ve started to notice something when coasting to stop signs/lights. The last downshift it makes is not as smooth as it used to be. It’s almost like a little hiccup that causes the tach to rise about 200 RPM (from approx. 1000 to 1200). Not a huge deal, but different than it’s been like before. I feel like it’s a long way from stranding me, but would be curious to hear your ideas on what has led to this change in shift pattern.
Also, when accelerating, there sometimes seems to be a little “slack” in between me pushing on the gas and the driveline responding. It almost seems like something isn’t engaged. Then it takes a moment to engage and off I go. Once I’m on the gas, everything is normal and all upshifts are clean. (I’ve had transmissions slip before and this really doesn’t seem like a slip.)
I’m not sure if I’m looking at two separate issues here or just one. I do know this transmission is known for being quite sturdy so I’d be surprised and disappointed if it’s anything too major. I feel like the Jeep has been babied and ATF maintenance has been above average.
Any ideas would be helpful. Sorry for the long post but I tried to be thorough. Thanks a lot. Happy Thanksgiving.
-Scott
