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2001 WJ 4.7 shifting problem after oil change

Discussion in 'Grand Cherokee' started by ruanpotgieter95, Feb 5, 2020.

  1. Feb 5, 2020 at 10:50 PM
    #1
    ruanpotgieter95

    ruanpotgieter95 [OP] Member

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    Hi,

    I am new to Jeep so diagnosing a couple of issues.

    I had a transmission leak on the sump so replaced the gasket, oil and the two filters. Here in South Africa you can't really get the Mopar ATF+4 stuff unless you really have the money to get it at a dealer. So the shop I took it too used Shell Spirax ATF D2.

    Now I noticed the oil being low so I topped it up yesterday and today. But something strange is happening. When I start the car and drive everything is fine. Shifts normal as expected. Once the car is on temp (probably related to gearbox being on working temp) the car would be in a "limp" kind of mode. The car won't shift. It is as if it stuck in some gear. Now I say some gear because I can pull away (with more throttle than I would normally do, engine feels sluggish) and speed up to 100 km/h without shifting. Only the revs picks up. If I put my foot down expecting to down shift, it doesn't. It just accelerates.

    When I put the car from D - N and then to R it would jump/engage hard. Even sometimes dies. The shifts are also much harder if it is shifting.

    I have just now check the oil again and seems to still be low. I just topped it up again. Will have a look after driving again.

    Is this symptoms of low transmission oil? Or should I be worried of something else being the culprit?
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2020
  2. Feb 6, 2020 at 6:17 AM
    #2
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    In general AT are very selective on the type of replacement fluids. Definitely best to stick with the OEM fluid whenever possible. Not familiar with the Shell oil version but since the trans issue occurred shortly after adding Shell oil that would be suspect. IMO plan on performing a few fill+drains to flush out the trans.
     
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  3. Feb 6, 2020 at 11:05 PM
    #3
    ruanpotgieter95

    ruanpotgieter95 [OP] Member

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    Thanks for the reply. Also thought it might be as you explained. But did some research on the oil and the oil that was used is the correct one.

    Not sure if it could be abs related. Previously I had an issue that the left front brake caliper wont release. So the rim would get untouchable hot. Now when the jeep was at the workshop it had an ABS fault code which they removed.

    Can this fault code maybe cause the car to go into some kind of limp mode? The problem only happens after about 10 min of driving and traffic braking... in that 10 min the car drives fine. It did die in traffic today when I stood still in drive on the brake, sounded like the engine laboured with this miss type of feeling (have read that the 4.7 has a miss/shaking feeling in the cab), and then died.
     
  4. Feb 7, 2020 at 4:58 AM
    #4
    Jeep4Life

    Jeep4Life Well-Known Member

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    You want to do that sooner rather then later so it doesn’t mess your gearbox up n strip your gears.
     
  5. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:44 PM
    #5
    ruanpotgieter95

    ruanpotgieter95 [OP] Member

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    Okay so Yesterday I took the car out for a drive. I pulled a way and could feel a harder than normal shift to either 2nd or 3rd gear.

    The car felt the same sluggish feeling. I then remembered the car having this sluggish feeling as if something is holding it back (brakes) before I did the oil change. I didn't make much of it. I now had more time to troubleshoot or get the feeling when it happens.

    It stayed in that gear. No matter what speed or how much n planted my foot. So this is pre oil change problem.

    I went on old trusty google. I found a couple of forums with people having the same problems. It all points to the two speed sensors (input and output).

    One of the symptoms of failing speed sensors are that the cruise control doesn't work. My cruise control light comes on but it wont keep it at the speed I want.

    Is this a possibility or would the check engine light come on?
     
  6. Feb 10, 2020 at 5:59 PM
    #6
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    If you're referring to the wheel speed sensors get a scan for codes. Pro level scanner will identify which wheel speed sensor if thats the issue.
     
  7. Feb 10, 2020 at 10:32 PM
    #7
    ruanpotgieter95

    ruanpotgieter95 [OP] Member

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  8. Mar 2, 2020 at 9:35 PM
    #8
    ruanpotgieter95

    ruanpotgieter95 [OP] Member

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    So i took the WJ for a scan and a P08_7 came up. Not sure whats the middle number. But something about the overdrive pressure switch?

    Is there something like an overdrive pressure switch or is there just one pressure switch? Is this a faulty sensor or could this be caused by wrong transmission fluid?

    Will this sensor make the car take long to engage D from N and N to P. Takes like 2-3 seconds to engage a gear. Or is this a faulty valve body which will cause the above pressure sensor fault?

    Lastly if it is the sensor and gets replaced. Will I need to clear the code from a scanner?

    Thanks for the help so far. Would like to get to the bottom of this using the form to help some one else also reading this.
     
  9. Mar 10, 2020 at 7:51 AM
    #9
    ruanpotgieter95

    ruanpotgieter95 [OP] Member

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    The vehicle will shift normal till it needs to down shift. It will downshift and then go into limp mode.

    Is there someone that might be able to assist?
     
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