98 Grand Cherokee Auto

[Harden Crew]

Hi All,
I am very new to Jeeps, I have a 98 Grand Cherokee which I had the auto serviced a few weeks ago when I took possession of the Jeep. I took it out for a run off road yesterday and found when on a very steep incline the auto felt like it selected neutral for a second or so, this happened on a couple of occasions and each time it was under load and heading up a hill. Any help would be great, the auto runs without a problem at all other times, by the way I have had several other 4x4's and am falling in love with the Jeep.

Thanks

Greg

[Clarky]

What's the auto atf level at?

[Harden Crew]

The fluid levels are all good

Greg

[Clarky]

To me it sounds like its failing to maintain hydraulic pressure when on an incline, that's why I thought low fluid.

I think you have the RE42 transmission & in USA forums they talk about "Governor Pressure Solenoid & Governor Pressure Sensor" being issues.
Here is an eBay link to a repair kit but at this stage I am only guessing.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/A500-42RE...p2054897.l4275

Another thought, if the filter was not seated properly when the service was done that could explain it.

Did the shop use "ATF 4"?

Not ZJ but same transmission, may shed some light on the problem
http://www.wjjeeps.com/service/transmission.htm

[Escapable]

Originally Posted by Clarky

To me it sounds like its failing to maintain hydraulic pressure when on an incline, that's why I thought low fluid.

I think you have the RE42 transmission & in USA forums they talk about "Governor Pressure Solenoid & Governor Pressure Sensor" being issues.
Here is an eBay link to a repair kit but at this stage I am only guessing.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/A500-42RE...p2054897.l4275

Another thought, if the filter was not seated properly when the service was done that could explain it.

Did the shop use "ATF 4"?

Not ZJ but same transmission, may shed some light on the problem
http://www.wjjeeps.com/service/transmission.htm

Before someone gets too confused .. I assume the reference to ATF4 was to ensure it was NOT?
To clarify, the ZG uses Dexron 3 in the Auto (maybe it is not DEX 3 and therefore slipping.. . the problem is to change it you need to drop the pan again .. did they instal a new filter in there (just pushes on and hard to do incorrectly).
If you need to do it again the Transmission Kit - (Pan gasket & Oil Filter) is KFS909 after market and is not expensive (also use sealant on the gasket).

[Clarky]

Sorry for the confusion & I don't mean to go off topic but doesn't ATF+4 replaced ATF+3 as the recommended atf & isn't +4 backwards compatible with +2 & +3?

[Escapable]

OK.. The following is available on the mobil.com website:
"Mobil ATF+4 is not recommended for vehicles that require Ford Mercon® or General Motors Dexron® type fluids"

ATF + 3 is NOT DEXRON 3 .. I run DEX 3 (recommended in the handbook) and no problems at all.
Remember that synthetics and mineral oils are not usually interchangeable due to variety of factors that are best left to the engineers and most mechs are not engineers.

On the dipstick and the handbook it states to use DEXRON .. Not ATF anything .. DEXRON .. So i would use it before anything else.

Please correct my understanding of ATF+ And synthetics but remember this auto box is from the 90's.