Jeep tranny problem

I have a 1996 Jeep Cherokee that I just purchased. The transmission has been acting a little strange.

Details: When first starting in the morning (or just when engine is cold) the jeep shifts into Drive and Reverse just fine. Also, when driving it shifts through gears just fine.

The problem is when it warms up and I shift from Park into D or R, there is a noticeable surge and creaking sound to go with it. It seems as though the jeep just wants to go by itself. Again, this does not happen when cold.

I checked the tranny fluid and is was WAY on the high side. Any thoughts??

I'd get the fluid to the proper level first of all. A siphon from the auto parts store should do the trick, you can easily remove some fluid via the fill tube under the hood.

Surge and creaking is what I get on my 04 JGC when putting it in gear. The sound may be normal. But after making sure the level is correct, try putting it in and out of gear several times, and trying to locate the source of the noise. It's probably coming from the rear springs.
Let us know a more specific location.

Let us know a more specific location.

It does sound like its coming from underneath the jeep in the rear, and it only does it when it surges. So my guess is that the creaking is a byproduct of the surge but I don't know WHY it is surging. And I would like to locate the source of the creaking so I can address that. If it were springs, what springs would these be and how can I check?

they surge is normal. every 4.0 that i have own. (3). its just that the 4.0 has so much power :biggrin:. But seriously, i think that it is just normal. Does your jeep just like jurk when you put it in gear? let us know.

they surge is normal. every 4.0 that i have own. (3). its just that the 4.0 has so much power :biggrin:. But seriously, i think that it is just normal. Does your jeep just like jurk when you put it in gear? let us know.



Yes it jerks when I put it in gear but only after it has been driven and has had time to warm up. It doesn't do it when it is cold and actually goes into gear quite smoothly when cold.

Since the problem occurs when it's warmed up (and I'm thinking from your description this is after you've driven awhile, not just warmed up in the driveway) it could be an issue with the fluid. I'd try a fluid change, making sure to have it filled to the proper level.

When you checked the fluid before, was it at the right level?

Also, does the engine idle at the same speed when it's warmed up?

When you checked the fluid before, was it at the right level?


I checked the fluid first when it was cold and it showed TOO MUCH fluid. The manual says that if you check it cold, the fluid should be right at the fill mark.

I also checked it when it was warm and it was WAY too much fluid.

When you checked the fluid before, was it at the right level?


I will have to check the idle speed. What are your thoughts if the idle is different?

First, I'd get the fluid to the right level.

If your idle is a little higher while warming up, that's fine. But if it's more than say, 3-400 different between idle and warmed up, there may be other issues.

Once you get your fluid level down, let us know how it is doing.