Jeep Automatic Transmission Problem

Aside from the obvious, you might try a Jeep owners forum.

For problems like this I would suggest finding a shop that loves to work on things like this. The shop needs to have a scan tool that will communicate with the transmission control module and the engine control module. This sounds to me like a transmission control issue, although I have seen many engine control issues that will cause what seem to be transmission problems like this.

Does the shifter actually reposition itself into third? Or is it that the engine is slower and then a minute later is racing? Downshifting is an indication of a need for a transmission rebuild. if the transmission is shifting itself, you may be forced to buy a new transmission. But before you do anything else, you should check the transmission fluid level. Usually the engine has to be running, the fluid hot, and the car in gear to get a good reading on the dipstick. Check your manual. When the Toyota dealership let my wife drive out with a car with no fluid in the transmission, the car shifted from drive into neutral twice a few feet from the door of the dealership, they traced the problem instantly. If there isn't enough fluid in the transmission to cope with overdrive (or whatever fourth gear is in this thing), it might downshift. My daughter took her automatic Saturn to a neighborhood garage for a transmission servicing and they were incapable of managing the repair. We had her call a local Saturn dealer to pick up the car and what remained of the transmission and put it all back together again and we paid the cost for her. They were able to get her moving again. So despite what happened at the Toyota place, I still have a preference for using dealerships for drive train repairs. I'd go to a Jeep dealer.

I had a similar problem on a 1997 Cherokee.

The parts guys will mostly likely not have the part you need in their computer, but they were able to get it for me.

It is called a stator (or camshaft position sensor). In the Haynes Jeep Cherokee 1984 thru 2001 book, Chapter 5 section 14 there is a picture. Around $55 and 30 minutes of work and you are done.

Mine was line number BWD , Item Number ME76, description "pick up assembly", -------- from o'reillys auto parts

Hope this sends you in the right direction.

Thanks Geode Hunter!

That gives me a starting place to look. What was involved in removing the old one and replacing it?

I do have the specific service manual for my Jeep and forgot to check it first.

I just reread the section on how to replace it. I did not remember going through all those steps. It seems it was a lot easier than they made it out to be.

I am not a mechanic and I managed to replace the part well enough. I do remember that it was fairly quick.

Did you get a check engine light. If so, have you read the code from the Jeep's computer? The part stores (at least around here) will let you borrow the reader expecting you will buy their parts. You would need to borrow it again after the replacement to turn the check engine light off.

good luck

How did you do?

Have you found a fix for your transmission?