Replacing AW4 Transmission...FML

[W00GYB00GY]

So I've been putting it off for about a month now, but my I'm 99.9% sure my transmission needs to be replaced. I've done just about everything except check the solenoids because that's out of my difficulty level although I plan on bringing it into the shop to have them tested, I just know its a pain in the ass cause they have to drop the pan and it isn't easy/cheap.

Here is the thread I posted a while ago about my troubles with the AW4;
http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=9609

If I end up buying a used transmission I know it will be pricey, but I found some online for $251.00 shipped, and then to have someone install it will be another $350, but this is the one I plan on buying if the solenoid doesn't end up being the problem;
http://info.automotix.net/usedtransm...183&seq_num=11

It's the 2nd one listed on that page. What do you guys think?

[JENSSEN]

You can test the solenoids through the wiring harness on the firewall

[Mudderoy]

I think most people get a used AW4 and swap it out. Sometimes you can get a complete "wrecked" XJ for $500 to $700 and then after you get what you need you can sell it and usually make up enough that it didn't cost you anything but time.

I know we all don't have the room to have a wrecked vehicle sit for a month or so though.

[JENSSEN]

Look under the dash on the PS of the truck there should be a 10AMP fuse,.. pull it and try manually shifting the truck,..

then grab a volt meter and check your solenoids off the tranny plug :0

[bigjim350]

Its really not that bad to swap the transmission yourself. 1 buddy helping would make it even better. Its easy to do on a concrete driveway. Save yourself $350

[W00GYB00GY]

The only solenoid I need to test is OD, is there anyway to just test my OD solenoid?

BTW This forum is the best, everyone is so helpful haha

[W00GYB00GY]

Its so weird...yesterday and today it shifted perfectly fine, no problems whatsoever...

I'm starting to think it's not the solenoid because if it was wouldn't it just not work at all rather then sometimes here and there?

What do you guys think about this?

[Mudderoy]

Its so weird...yesterday and today it shifted perfectly fine, no problems whatsoever...

I'm starting to think it's not the solenoid because if it was wouldn't it just not work at all rather then sometimes here and there?

What do you guys think about this?

I was getting a check engine light. I could clear the code "while driving" and the torque converter lockup would start working. Did this since July of last year until I changed the fluid (and solenoids at the same time) and it stopped locking up at all. About a month or so later is when I had the transmission rebuilt. Several of the bands were showing metal.

[4.3LXJ]

If your tranny is getting old, it can have a loss of pressure which affects things like lock up. Since you have it back, when was the last time the fluid was changed?

[W00GYB00GY]

I've changed it twice in the last 3,000 miles. I bought it with 100,000 miles on it, now it has 106,000, The guy before me didn't change it at all I believe...

Also, my tranny only has 106,000 miles on it, I think that it SHOULD have a lot of life left...

[TeXJ]

I'm having these same issues. I had a tranny shop tell me that he would not work on mine do to the milage, changing out the solenoids... I have 180k miles on mine

[W00GYB00GY]

I'm having these same issues. I had a tranny shop tell me that he would not work on mine do to the milage, changing out the solenoids... I have 180k miles on mine

When do you plan on changing out the solenoids? And does your transmission work and then slip from time to time?

My transmission would constantly slip and I couldn't get into OD for about 2 weeks, then all the sudden yesterday it worked perfectly fine...so weird! I really need to figure this out!

[xj4life2]

sounds electrical to me , bad wire , short ect ect I would check all that first

[W00GYB00GY]

sounds electrical to me , bad wire , short ect ect I would check all that first

What should I check?

[Mudderoy]

sounds electrical to me , bad wire , short ect ect I would check all that first

I thought it was on mine as well. Sadly it wasn't (at least for me).

[W00GYB00GY]

How exactly do I check the solenoids without dropping the trans pan?

Mudderoy: Did you have to replace your transmission?

[Mudderoy]

How exactly do I check the solenoids without dropping the trans pan?

Mudderoy: Did you have to replace your transmission?

It was rebuilt.

[W00GYB00GY]

It was rebuilt.

How much did that cost?

[Mudderoy]

How much did that cost?

About $1400 before I started adding stuff to the list. ;)

[cantab27]

there they are.....

http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr52/cantab27/jeepin%20and%20bits/Image0576.jpg

not hard to swap whole trans..have done it a few times now..1st time i knew nothing but sites like this are great for help.....

can even do them in the dark...
http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr52/cantab27/jeepin%20and%20bits/rebuild015.jpg

has the jeep got any other symptoms....

[TeXJ]

Thread jack!!!!

Mine just throws some generic trans codes, and sometimes the torque converter doesnt kick in. Then other times it works just fine and the check engine light goes away... I also found if I keep it under 55mph, it wont do it...

[W00GYB00GY]

Wow...$1,400 is way out of my price range, and as far as other symptoms go its just that. No CEL or anything, its only my shifting issuses when I try to go into OD it will slip occasionally, it usually slips way more then shifting fine.



I guess I might try to install it with one of my buddies and try to save myself some money we will see...

[cantab27]

tps can play shit with the shifting???????thoughts

[W00GYB00GY]

tps can play shit with the shifting???????thoughts

I've replaced the TPS twice now haha no change

[Mudderoy]

Wow...$1,400 is way out of my price range, and as far as other symptoms go its just that. No CEL or anything, its only my shifting issuses when I try to go into OD it will slip occasionally, it usually slips way more then shifting fine.



I guess I might try to install it with one of my buddies and try to save myself some money we will see...

Normally it would be out of mine as well, but it happened at the right time. I believe if I couldn't afford the tranny rebuild, I'd find a good donor AW4. Hell I might even look into converting to a standard transmission like I wanted to start with.

[cantab27]

get a 2nd hand one and some buddies around and swap it out....autos are strong on the old girls...i cooked one and drowned one.......shes be flushed out not just oil change ????,,a flush saved mine 1st time it went swimming.....started to slip and shit about 3 weeks later, did take about 32 litres of that red shit........

must be something being over looked as well...what colour was oil when it first shat it self.....did it get overheated.......

[W00GYB00GY]

My jeep never overheated, first time I dropped the trans pan to change the fluid it was a red/brown color, didn't really smell burnt at all. Second time I changed it I put an entire bottle of the Lucas Oil Transmission slip mix(24oz) in there then i filled the rest of with Dexron III.

I'm starting to think it might just be the transmission, cause when it slips sometimes it sounds like a rattling noise in my transmission. But for the past 5 days my transmission has been ALMOST perfect it'll slip here and there...but the past 3 weeks before this it would slip EVERYTIME.

I'm so confused. I might do another transmission flush just pulling the drain plug and re filling it back up.

[cantab27]

right fluid level...not too much ,not enough.......?????checked when running in neutral on level ground.....sorry just gotta ask ....

[W00GYB00GY]

Fluid level is perfect, and yes I check it correctly.

I totally understand

[W00GYB00GY]

What do you guys recommend I do?

As of right now it shifts 99% perfect...but I know it will start to slip sooner or later.

[TeXJ]

well you can either drive it till it breaks, which could be years. Or start to look for a junked/wrecked vehicle which you can take the tranny out of, and then sell the rest or use for parts.

or start saving for a rebuild, reman'd unit.

[cantab27]

what tex said......drive it till it dies ..get a doner , be good pratice to drop one outta the doner...sell the rest ...the trans are usally strong but hate heat,, put a bigger oil cooler in as well if ya swap out trans...good luck dude and keep us updated...