5th Jan 2008, 15:12

I had the same problem with my 1996 Grand Cherokee. It would not shift into 3rd unless I let off the gas suddenly or manually shifted into second and back up into third while letting of the gas. I followed all these forum looking for a solution. I finally got under to check the detent cable linkage and there was a broken return spring. The kickdown lever was not returning to the lowest position. That would explain why the problem was intermittent and didn't always present the same. I fixed the spring and reattached it. After a full warm up drive, it shifts great. We'll see if it solves the problem after a good hour or two ride.

9th Apr 2008, 09:20

I have a 1997 jeep grand cherokee. The check engine light is on. This morning, it stopped shifting. I had to have it towed home. After I got it off the tow truck, I was able to park it by going into reverse first and then it shifted into drive just fine. When I was driving it first didn't want to shift from second to third then it wouldn't even shift into first. I barely got it off the road. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I love my jeep. It has 177,000 miles.

27th Oct 2008, 16:29

I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4L six in line, with 102,000 miles on it. A few days ago it started to run start very slow, almost like the transmission didn't want to engage. Then after a little while when reaching cruising speed all seemed normal. It really starts slow. The trans oil level and color looked OK. While in idle at a stop the car seems to jump or jolt forward once several times. Before, when you take the foot out of the brake pedal, the truck will go forward 4-5 mph with no acceleration, now it doesn't go at all. Is this a transmission/brake failure, is there a cable or linkage damage I should be aware of?

18th Apr 2009, 19:42

My 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee will not take off in drive, I have to manually put it in first and then second, and then drive to even get up to speed. I don't know what is wrong, but can't afford to take it to a transmission place. Can anyone give me any advice?

5th Sep 2009, 12:44

Regarding the shifting issue (it sounds like a common problem), I had the same story. I had always suspected it was a pressure issue, and I noticed my dipstick would not firmly seat onto the fill tube. I temporarily sealed it with duct tape, then found a new dipstick on ebay. COMPLETELY fixed the problem (for about $8)! Check your dipstick & make sure it's tight!

11th Oct 2009, 22:55

I am having the same problem. I have a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It does not start in first and won't go into over drive. I have changed the tranny and the tranny computer. Nothing changed. Well I posted it on craigslist and I got an email saying on the top of the motor is an electronic part that controls the shifting on those trucks, but the guy doesn't know the name. Anyone that can help, please do. Thanks.

29th Oct 2009, 21:49

The part you are asking about is the throttle position sensor, but the problem sounds like it could be the kickdown cable may be stretched, and needs to be replaced. It costs around $20 and is an easy fix.

30th Oct 2009, 19:19

I have a 1996 Jeep G.C. Laredo which has 185,000 miles on it.

I was having a problem with the truck leaking transmission fluid, which I was told was because of a leak in some line. I had that replaced and the truck was doing fine, even though it still slipped when you pressed the gas. A piece fell off the line and we had it put back on.. we did lose a lot of transmission fluid though.

I was riding down the road and got ready to turn, and the truck started going slow. I couldn't do over 20 miles an hour and after going about 1/2 mile it, just stopped moving. I kept pressing the gas and nothing happened. I went back the next day and was able to go like 30-40mph and then the same thing happened. We changed the filter and the truck was back to running fine, but then two days later it was doing the same thing... PLEASE HELP ME!!!

1st Nov 2009, 09:07

Doesn't sound good. I'm not a professional when it comes to transmissions, but it sounds like it may be time for a transmission replacement. However, try getting it checked out by a trusted garage, you may just need a shift solenoid. Don't assume that I'm right though, because like I said, transmissions are not my specialty.

25th Jun 2010, 21:24

This sounds like the throttle positioning sensor to me. There are two on a Jeep with a 4.0, one for the engine and one for the transmission.

24th Jul 2010, 23:36

I have a 93 Grand Cherokee with 170,000 on it. I recently replaced the pan gasket, but it still looks as if it is leaking from the gasket. I accidentally overfilled it when I replaced the pan. I also noticed that it doesn't downshift well, and the longer it sits, the more it leaks. I can drive it for a week every day and it won't leak, but if it sits for a week, it will leak like crazy.

29th Jan 2011, 15:21

I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V-8, and when you put it into drive, it seems like it does not have enough power to go. Now if I shift it down to first, it will take off like normal, but when I shift it to second, it's as if it did not change at all. Then when you put it in drive, it will not shift after that either. Which I think it is second, because you can only drive about 60 and the rpms are at 3.

Now I have replaced speed sensor, and while I was under there, found a harness that is broke in two. It is on the top of the trans, and has what the auto part store is saying is a shift solenoid. Don't know what to do. I have been told so many different things, and don't have the money or time to guess.. just some help would great. Thanks for your time and answers.

9th Oct 2011, 07:40

Change the pressure switch and regulator; 105 dollars from rockauto.com.

15th Nov 2011, 10:15

Hey, just an idea, check your fuse box in the engine compartment, transmission relay fuse might be the problem!

Just saying < t-bone66.

23rd Mar 2012, 20:45

Check your fuses and wiring. Possibly a TCM fuse is blown, Transmission Control Module. Maybe the wires that go from the transmission have rubbed and arced out. Have you scanned the vehicle with a code reader? If you do, write down codes before clearing, and when you clear codes and drive, then scan and diagnose from the first code that comes back. Good luck.

24th Apr 2014, 23:57

Did you ever find a fix for this? I've had the same problem for years, but I never had a chance to fix it. It actually finally gave out altogether and has been sitting in my driveway for more than a year... What did you do to fix it?