YACT- jeep wrangler

[pclstyle]

I'm really lost when it comes to things like this, so I'll just describe it as best I can

Jeep Wrangler Sahara '98, automatic, 55k miles

When I'm accelerating, sometimesthe transmission? doesn't quite catch and I'll feel the revs stutter a bit. This happens pretty infrequently, but it's occurring more often now. The feeling is very obvious, the car jerks slightly, and then picks up once it catches.

When I'm stopped at a light, with the brake down, I can hear a constant clicking/rattling sound coming out from underneath the stick. I don't want to say "transmission", because I'm not exactly sure what's in that general area. It's not a metallic rattling sound and it's not quite the sound of flimsy pieces of plastic snapping against each other; the sound is a little harder/thicker than that. If i put the car in neutral or park, the sound stops. Is this another transmission issue? I was thinking about just going to get my fluid changed, but I didn't want to do an unnecessary procedure if the fluid wasn't the issue to begin with.

Any ideas/suggestions would be great, thanks guys.

side note: it's not the catalytic converter rattling, because that's more of a metallic sound, and I know that's not the issue.

 

[Horus]

It's possible you're having meshing issues. When car is in park, the transmission is disengaged from the drive gears. It's possible that your gears might be a little stripped, and require a refurb.

 

[nwfsnake]

Torque converter going bad...

 

[iamwiz82]

What do you mean the revs stutter? Is the engine bucking or is the transmission slipping but the engine running smoothly?

How are your U-Joints? To check, get under the Jeep and grab a hold of the front and rear driveshafts. It you get an play other than a little turning, that is your problem. There should be no up and down or side to side movement.

Take the center console off and listen where the noise is coming from.

 

[JDub02]

umm .... how about take it to a mechanic you trust? you usually get a free estimate and they'll tell you exactly what's wrong.

 

[myusername]

If it weren't for the clicking, I'd suggest replacing the TPS. The AW4 is a virtually bulletproof tranny, and problems are rarely heard of - when they are, they tend to be electronic rather than physical. I would be more inclined to believe it is a transfer case problem. Next time you get clicking while stopped, try throwing your TC into neutral and seeing what happens.

Two things to note about the AW4:
[*]Do not ever have it "power flushed".
[*]Do not ever use synthetic ATF.

try posting at www.jeepsunlimited.com

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: myusername
If it weren't for the clicking, I'd suggest replacing the TPS. The AW4 is a virtually bulletproof tranny, and problems are rarely heard of - when they are, they tend to be electronic rather than physical. I would be more inclined to believe it is a transfer case problem. Next time you get clicking while stopped, try throwing your TC into neutral and seeing what happens.

Two things to note about the AW4:
[*]Do not ever have it "power flushed".
[*]Do not ever use synthetic ATF.

try posting at www.jeepsunlimited.com

the AW4 is not in the TJ. He has a 32RH, which is also a good transmission.

 

[pclstyle]

well, took it to the dealer today for a diagnostic.

Turns out the rattling from the catalytic converter isn't considered a major issue, and they recommended that I wait till it got more severe to get it fixed, because it would then be covered under warranty.

They found 3 other issues though: 1) the seal between one of my front tires and the rim wasn't perfect, so i was losing air, 2) the transmission fluid hadn't been changed since i bought it (motherfckin useless 30k tuneup, it's at 55k now), and 3) there was something going on with the 2wd/4wd transition. So i was in 3wd. No just kidding, but those 3 issues are gonna cost me $700 to fix. Sigh

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: pclstyle
well, took it to the dealer today for a diagnostic.

Turns out the rattling from the catalytic converter isn't considered a major issue, and they recommended that I wait till it got more severe to get it fixed, because it would then be covered under warranty.

They found 3 other issues though: 1) the seal between one of my front tires and the rim wasn't perfect, so i was losing air, 2) the transmission fluid hadn't been changed since i bought it (motherfckin useless 30k tuneup, it's at 55k now), and 3) there was something going on with the 2wd/4wd transition. So i was in 3wd. No just kidding, but those 3 issues are gonna cost me $700 to fix. Sigh

WTF, don't pay that much!

1. Have the tire reseated at any tire shop for like $5.
2. 55k is fine for the first fluid replacement. Do not get it flushed, simply have it drained and replace the filter. It takes about 30 minutes to do.
3. Give me a better description. There is no way for it to be "3wd" unless something is serisouly broken.

 

[imported_Pablo]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: pclstyle
well, took it to the dealer today for a diagnostic.

Turns out the rattling from the catalytic converter isn't considered a major issue, and they recommended that I wait till it got more severe to get it fixed, because it would then be covered under warranty.

They found 3 other issues though: 1) the seal between one of my front tires and the rim wasn't perfect, so i was losing air, 2) the transmission fluid hadn't been changed since i bought it (motherfckin useless 30k tuneup, it's at 55k now), and 3) there was something going on with the 2wd/4wd transition. So i was in 3wd. No just kidding, but those 3 issues are gonna cost me $700 to fix. Sigh

WTF, don't pay for that!

1. Have the tire reseated at any tire shop for like $5.
2. 55k is fine for the first fluid replacement. Do not get it flushed, simply have it drained and replace the filter. It takes about 30 minutes to do.
3. Give me a better description. There is no way for it to be "3wd" unless something is serisouly broken.

I'd be interested to see why you are in "3wd" too. Doesn' t make sense.

 

[pclstyle]

3wd was a joke but, i'm also confused to as why the quoted price is so high. Transmission fluid replacement and resealing the tire shouldn't cost more than $150 incl. labor. They were a little sketchy on the details about what was wrong with my transmission. Guess I have to go there again and speak with them directly. Sigh, I really hope I'm not going to get gypped, I was hoping to put the money toward a soft top.

 

[iamwiz82]

If it has something to do with 2wd/4wd its either the transfer case or an axle.

 

[dcdude]

how do you only have 55k on a 98

 

[myusername]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

the AW4 is not in the TJ. He has a 32RH, which is also a good transmission.

Thanks!

If the OP hasn't had the tranny fluid changed in 55k and takes it to the shop for tuneups, it's unlikely he's doing anything with the TC hard enough to break parts. It would be a real pisser to spend $700 if all he needed to do was adjust the TC linkage. (i.e. hope you post back OP)

 

[pclstyle]

Well, here's the final update:

Went to the shop, picked up my jeep. Turns out the catalytic converter was indeed rattling, but the emission levels were normal so it didn't need to be replaced. The three issues actually turned out to be pretty different from what i described, other than the transmission fluid flush. Yep, it was a flush, not a drain, but I'm not complaing, only added like 50 bucks to the tab anyway. What did cost a bunch was them replacing the steering damper which had gone bad and was leaking oil, and doing a routine 4x4 service, something that i guess is supposed to be done every 30k miles or so, but i had never done. It involves refill transfer case fluid/ drain and fill front and rear axles/ differentials, all that jazz. "bout $200.

With labor, cost was about $600, which i still think is high for something that isn't a complete overhaul of some part or another, but I guess that's what the dealer body shop is like. Overall, I'm pleased with the results, my jeep feels much smoother all around, I definitely notice much better balance in the wheels and axles, and the car feels more responsive. Of course, I'm a little disappointed I didn't get my catalytic converter fixed, but I figure I'll wait a couple of months and take it in under warranty.

Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions; if anything, i certainly learned a lot more bout my car ;D

Oh and as for 55k miles on a 98, my dad bought the jeep as a toy car and ended up buying an s500 two months later. And i've been at school, so well, there ya go

 

[myusername]

Good to hear it wasn't that bad. Price sounds about right for a dealer service, but for the future, you could have saved about $400 by doing it yourself not counting the transmission fluid .. well, personally that's just too messy and a pain - I'd take mine in to do that if I wanted to change out all the fluid at once

Pick up a factory service manual on ebay and it will pay for itself the first time you use it.

 

[iamwiz82]

Wow, I need to become a shop. Changing the fluids in 2 axles and a transfer case is about $15 in parts and about 1 hour of time.