QuestionQUESTION: "UGH!!!!! Just when I thought I had it fixed. Now I have 2 Chrysler
vehicles not working. 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee, V8. I started by slow
shifting and then wouldn't shift at all. I had the OD/Lockout solenoid
replaced and it ran great for 1 day. Put 4 new tires on and had it
smogged, passed easily. Drove it later the same day, only got a few
blocks and it wouldn't shift again. Had to put it 4Low and 2nd gear and
creeped back home. HELP!!!"
ANSWER: Hi Rachelle,
I don't have manuals on the Jeep line of vehicles. But I would suggest that you get a code readout of the transmission controller using the plug that is under the dash. The '95 model year was transitional for the code system so I can't be certain how to get it, but try an Autozone parts store for a free readout.
The most obvious reason for not shifting would be the fuse that powers the electronic transaxle relay or the relay itself. It will refuse to shift out of 2nd if the relay isn't powered but also it could be a fault that caused the controller to put it in that mode which is called 'limp-in' and is designed to prevent unnecessary further damage. So see if you can get a 2- or 4- digit code and let me know what it is. It should be the same code system as for the Chrysler line for which I do have manuals.
Roland
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QUESTION: OK, the codes that I received are 12 and 55. Does that tell us anything?
ANSWER: Where did they plug the code reader? If it was in the engine compartment then that is not a transmission readout. Rather there is a blue plug under the dash or behind a door on the dash (these would be on the driver end of the dash) or by the steering column and it has a different shape than the plug in the engine compartment. It is blue and called a data link connector.
So look around for such a plug; Autozone may not be able to connect or readout from that socket and you may have to get a dealer to read it out for the trans fault codes.
The 12/55 are typical for the engine code readout. They mean:
12: battery disconnected sometime in the past 50-100 key cycles
55: end of readout (verifies that all the codes were produced)
Let me know if they did readout from the cabin just in case.
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QUESTION: It was the engine compartment. I will have to track down someone with the other type of tester. Another problem that I thought was unrelated but maybe it is worth mentioning. The coolant level low indicator keeps coming on. It only takes a small amount added to the reservoir to make the indicator go away. There is no apparent leak anywhere. could the coolant be leaking into the transmission?
AnswerNo, there should be no interconnection between the two units. You have checked the fluid level in the transmission, correct? Have you looked for any fuses called 'etax'? If there is such a fuse you can identify, check that out. The limp mode can occur either because the trans controller says to do it, or because the etax fuse that provides current the the trans relay and thus to the trans solenoids that operate the tran shifting is blown. Or the relay could be weak so you could try changing out the trans relay with another one that has the same part number. As I said, I don't have a manual for Jeeps so I can't tell you where to find the fuse or the relay.
Roland
