01 cherokee transmission problems

I recently purchased a used 2001 cherokee srs for my son's first vehicle. We drove it for just a few miles before it gave us problems not going into reverse. I'm not a mechanic at all but my son who is 16 thinks he is. He said it needed a transmission filter/fluid change. I bought the necessary fluid and filter but he seems to be having trouble changing the fluid because of dipstick in the way and silicone around the pan which makes me wonder if it was having problems before we bought it since it didn't have a gasket which would have been original on factory. Does it sound like the transmission could be going out and how could I find this out without spending a lot of money. Also will changing the transmission fluid make it more likely to go out now?:runaround:

If it's having a problem, fresh fluid won't hurt it.

The sealant you saw around the trans pan is normal, anytime the fluid is changed, the gasket has to be changed also; usually you get a gasket with a new trans filter, so maybe someone changed the fluid without a filter change :nono:

Try removing the dipstick before lowering the pan, it will make a difference.

All that said, with it not going into reverse it sounds like some transmission work may be in order. You didn't say how many miles are on the vehicle; generally about 140 or 150K is about as far as they'll go, especially if used in city areas where a lot of shifting is going on.

The upside is, if it's a 4.0 liter the engine will easily go 300-400K, with regular oil changes -- so a rebuild of the transmission, though expensive, will be worth it in the long run.

Hope all that helps, let us know how many miles are on, and if the fluid change helps.

Auto or manual?

Either way the ax-15 manual and the aw4 auto should last a bit longer than fredjack is suggesting IMO. I've seen them with upwards of 300k. Though heat will kill the aw4 quick so add a trans cooler and you're good.

I say grab a low milage junkyard replacement.