HELP... KJ won't change out of 1st

[Disco95]

Hi guys, I'm in a real bind here.

2007 KJ Cherokee Limited
3.7 petrol Auto

Drove to town this afternoon (approx 30km each way).
When we got back close to home we stopped in at Woolies for some things. We came back out to the Jeep to find symptoms of a flat battery. It seemed odd that it was so sudden.
Ran into a friend who gave me a jump start, immediately headed to the nearest servo for a new battery.
Whilst driving I noticed that the revs were sitting too high for my speed. Shifted the auto lever to second, no change, pulled over and started from standing again, this time with the shifter in 1st. Reached approx 30km/h and shifted to second whilst coasting, no gear change.
So it looks like she's stuck in first with a problem that is killing the battery.
This vehicle is our only transport, I need it fixed to get to work on Monday.

Has anyone experience anything like this before?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Regards and thanks,
Sean.

[Disco95]

O.K,
So an update.
I've been mulling this around overnight, and then after breakfast I jumped into the spa for some inspiration

I couldn't get past the dead battery issue so figured I'd start there. I know from past experience that a dying or dead battery can look like many different things in this vehicle, even causing the old girl to kick into "limp home mode".

Changed the battery this morning and everything seems normal again.
Hopefully problem solved as easy as that.

Thanks for your assistance,
Sean.

[glend]

I am not familiar with the petrol transmission, which is different from the CRD, however, it sound like a sensor problem which puts the transmission into limp mode. Was it hot that day? Sensors eventualky fail due ti years of heat soak breaking them dkwn. I would get an auto tranny specialist to check it out. You could consult the service manual fir info on how to check it but that might be too much work for you.

[Disco95]

Originally Posted by glend

I am not familiar with the petrol transmission, which is different from the CRD, however, it sound like a sensor problem which puts the transmission into limp mode. Was it hot that day? Sensors eventualky fail due ti years of heat soak breaking them dkwn. I would get an auto tranny specialist to check it out. You could consult the service manual fir info on how to check it but that might be too much work for you.

Hey bud, it's been a while. So much has happened. Still got the KJ, bought a Range Rover. Moved to W.A..
Nothing wrong with the tranny, never played up again. Just a hiccup on one of the sensors caused by the jumpstart.
All good.