Manual Transmission Problem

I have a 2000 Wrangler with a 4 liter and manual five speed. I'm the second
owner and the first owner was a nurse that used the jeep as a highway
commuter car. The jeep has not been wrecked, rolled, or ever stuck.

Over a year ago the reverse lockout pin was found (broken) while changing
the transmission fluid. I took it to the dealer under warranty and they
rebuilt the transmission. However, as soon as I picked up the Jeep there
was a shift problem. That's when upshifting into 2ndfelt like a tooth or two
was grinding past. It would shift and stay in 2nd gear, but it was like the
clutch was only partially depressed while upshifting - like a lazy upshift
micro-grind. Shifting up to 3rd had a similar feel, but was less
noticeable. Downshifting was as it should be. No grind, but smooth
shifting.

So, I took it back of course. They tried a number of things, including
rebuilding the transmission, clutch, throwout bearing, etc. Nothing helped.
And after five overnight trips to the dealer (30 miles away) they told me
there was nothing they could do. When they test drove it, it was like they
were driving the Pope-mobile and they would always take about three seconds
to shift from one gear to the next - and with that time lag, the problem is
less noticeable - but I could still hear it from the passenger seat.
However, that kind of shift is not normal or comfortable. I didn't throw a
big enough fit and the warranty eventually expired.

The problem stayed and eventually got to the point of occasional full
fledged grinds when shifting into second. Before having a lift put in the
Wrangler I wanted to be sure the transmission was going to be good for the
next 50,000 miles or so, so I took it to a one man transmission shop that
was recommended by a long time general automotive mechanic I have known for
years.

He couldn't find anything really wrong with the transmission except a little
abrasion on the shaft - and he replaced the shaft. He thought the dealer
had been using the wrong fluid and initially the transmission shifted better
with the fluid he used. However, after only about 1,000 miles, the shifting
problem (not the all out grind) is back.

Unfortunately, while it was shifting better, I had a lot of work done on the
Jeep. Now I have a 4 inch lift, new tires, new differentials, and new drive
shaft, but the transmission is annoying as hell. I can shift REAL slow, or
double clutch when going up to 2nd, but that's not a cure, there is still
something not meshing like it should.

So, finally, any suggestions? I've even starting thinking of a new
transmission, but the wife is going to kill me if it comes to that.

I would figure any more spent on that tranny would be just throwing good
money after bad. It is toast in my mind. Bad cast maybe.

I would be looking around at the wreckers for one.

Unless you have had your Jeep out to play in the water in the last 1000
miles? The tranny doesn't have a high water vent and they fill up if
submerged. They then usually shift bad....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Masnor wrote:
>
> I have a 2000 Wrangler with a 4 liter and manual five speed. I'm the second
> owner and the first owner was a nurse that used the jeep as a highway
> commuter car. The jeep has not been wrecked, rolled, or ever stuck.
>
> Over a year ago the reverse lockout pin was found (broken) while changing
> the transmission fluid. I took it to the dealer under warranty and they
> rebuilt the transmission. However, as soon as I picked up the Jeep there
> was a shift problem. That's when upshifting into 2ndfelt like a tooth or two
> was grinding past. It would shift and stay in 2nd gear, but it was like the
> clutch was only partially depressed while upshifting - like a lazy upshift
> micro-grind. Shifting up to 3rd had a similar feel, but was less
> noticeable. Downshifting was as it should be. No grind, but smooth
> shifting.
>
> So, I took it back of course. They tried a number of things, including
> rebuilding the transmission, clutch, throwout bearing, etc. Nothing helped.
> And after five overnight trips to the dealer (30 miles away) they told me
> there was nothing they could do. When they test drove it, it was like they
> were driving the Pope-mobile and they would always take about three seconds
> to shift from one gear to the next - and with that time lag, the problem is
> less noticeable - but I could still hear it from the passenger seat.
> However, that kind of shift is not normal or comfortable. I didn't throw a
> big enough fit and the warranty eventually expired.
>
> The problem stayed and eventually got to the point of occasional full
> fledged grinds when shifting into second. Before having a lift put in the
> Wrangler I wanted to be sure the transmission was going to be good for the
> next 50,000 miles or so, so I took it to a one man transmission shop that
> was recommended by a long time general automotive mechanic I have known for
> years.
>
> He couldn't find anything really wrong with the transmission except a little
> abrasion on the shaft - and he replaced the shaft. He thought the dealer
> had been using the wrong fluid and initially the transmission shifted better
> with the fluid he used. However, after only about 1,000 miles, the shifting
> problem (not the all out grind) is back.
>
> Unfortunately, while it was shifting better, I had a lot of work done on the
> Jeep. Now I have a 4 inch lift, new tires, new differentials, and new drive
> shaft, but the transmission is annoying as hell. I can shift REAL slow, or
> double clutch when going up to 2nd, but that's not a cure, there is still
> something not meshing like it should.
>
> So, finally, any suggestions? I've even starting thinking of a new
> transmission, but the wife is going to kill me if it comes to that.
>
>

Can something be modified to prevent this mike?


"Mike Romain" > wrote
>
> Unless you have had your Jeep out to play in the water in the last 1000
> miles? The tranny doesn't have a high water vent and they fill up if
> submerged. They then usually shift bad....

Yes. I pulled the button vent out of mine and put a piece of steel gas
line in for a hose nipple. It pressed in but I JB welded it anyway. I
them added a piece of transmission cooler line and ran that up by the
battery and hooked it in an upside down U or cane handle shape.

There were write-ups for various tranny models, not sure about the new
one.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Kate wrote:
>
> Can something be modified to prevent this mike?
>
> "Mike Romain" > wrote
> >
> > Unless you have had your Jeep out to play in the water in the last 1000
> > miles? The tranny doesn't have a high water vent and they fill up if
> > submerged. They then usually shift bad....

Thank you Mike,
I'll add that to my "Smart Things to do" list

Kate

"Mike Romain" > wrote in message
...
> Yes. I pulled the button vent out of mine and put a piece of steel gas
> line in for a hose nipple. It pressed in but I JB welded it anyway. I
> them added a piece of transmission cooler line and ran that up by the
> battery and hooked it in an upside down U or cane handle shape.
>
> There were write-ups for various tranny models, not sure about the new
> one.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> Kate wrote:
>>
>> Can something be modified to prevent this mike?
>>
>> "Mike Romain" > wrote
>> >
>> > Unless you have had your Jeep out to play in the water in the last 1000
>> > miles? The tranny doesn't have a high water vent and they fill up if
>> > submerged. They then usually shift bad....

Kate,

Not sure about the rubicon, but most of the diffs have the same problem.
Just do like mike said, get some trans cooler hose, pull off the cap, slip
the hose on and route it into the engine compartment.

I like to cap mine with a small breather to keep mud and water out, but if
one's not availible or it fell out, a knot works just as well.

Carl


"Kate" > wrote in message
.. .
> Thank you Mike,
> I'll add that to my "Smart Things to do" list
>
> Kate
>
> "Mike Romain" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Yes. I pulled the button vent out of mine and put a piece of steel gas
>> line in for a hose nipple. It pressed in but I JB welded it anyway. I
>> them added a piece of transmission cooler line and ran that up by the
>> battery and hooked it in an upside down U or cane handle shape.
>>
>> There were write-ups for various tranny models, not sure about the new
>> one.
>>
>> Mike
>> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
>> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
>> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
>> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
>> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>>
>> Kate wrote:
>>>
>>> Can something be modified to prevent this mike?
>>>
>>> "Mike Romain" > wrote
>>> >
>>> > Unless you have had your Jeep out to play in the water in the last
>>> > 1000
>>> > miles? The tranny doesn't have a high water vent and they fill up if
>>> > submerged. They then usually shift bad....
>
>

I told my hubby about this, we will have a look in the next day or two.
Todeay was ANOTHER trip to Lowes *sigh*
I hope we get this damn house finished soon. I'm sick of it!

Kate

"Carl" > wrote in message
. ..
> Kate,
>
> Not sure about the rubicon, but most of the diffs have the same
> problem. Just do like mike said, get some trans cooler hose, pull off the
> cap, slip the hose on and route it into the engine compartment.
>
> I like to cap mine with a small breather to keep mud and water out, but if
> one's not availible or it fell out, a knot works just as well.
>
> Carl
>
>
> "Kate" > wrote in message
> .. .
>> Thank you Mike,
>> I'll add that to my "Smart Things to do" list
>>
>> Kate
>>
>> "Mike Romain" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Yes. I pulled the button vent out of mine and put a piece of steel gas
>>> line in for a hose nipple. It pressed in but I JB welded it anyway. I
>>> them added a piece of transmission cooler line and ran that up by the
>>> battery and hooked it in an upside down U or cane handle shape.
>>>
>>> There were write-ups for various tranny models, not sure about the new
>>> one.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
>>> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
>>> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
>>> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
>>> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>>>
>>> Kate wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Can something be modified to prevent this mike?
>>>>
>>>> "Mike Romain" > wrote
>>>> >
>>>> > Unless you have had your Jeep out to play in the water in the last
>>>> > 1000
>>>> > miles? The tranny doesn't have a high water vent and they fill up if
>>>> > submerged. They then usually shift bad....
>>
>>
>
>

Kate, I feel the same way, except the house I'm working on is for a
customer. What do you guys have left to do?

Carl

"Kate" > wrote in message
.. .
>I told my hubby about this, we will have a look in the next day or two.
> Todeay was ANOTHER trip to Lowes *sigh*
> I hope we get this damn house finished soon. I'm sick of it!
>
> Kate
>
> "Carl" > wrote in message
> . ..
>> Kate,
>>
>> Not sure about the rubicon, but most of the diffs have the same
>> problem. Just do like mike said, get some trans cooler hose, pull off the
>> cap, slip the hose on and route it into the engine compartment.
>>
>> I like to cap mine with a small breather to keep mud and water out, but
>> if one's not availible or it fell out, a knot works just as well.
>>
>> Carl
>>
>>
>> "Kate" > wrote in message
>> .. .
>>> Thank you Mike,
>>> I'll add that to my "Smart Things to do" list
>>>
>>> Kate
>>>
>>> "Mike Romain" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Yes. I pulled the button vent out of mine and put a piece of steel gas
>>>> line in for a hose nipple. It pressed in but I JB welded it anyway. I
>>>> them added a piece of transmission cooler line and ran that up by the
>>>> battery and hooked it in an upside down U or cane handle shape.
>>>>
>>>> There were write-ups for various tranny models, not sure about the new
>>>> one.
>>>>
>>>> Mike
>>>> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
>>>> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
>>>> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
>>>> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
>>>> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>>>>
>>>> Kate wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Can something be modified to prevent this mike?
>>>>>
>>>>> "Mike Romain" > wrote
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Unless you have had your Jeep out to play in the water in the last
>>>>> > 1000
>>>>> > miles? The tranny doesn't have a high water vent and they fill up
>>>>> > if
>>>>> > submerged. They then usually shift bad....
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Thanks for the response.

It's not been submerged, not before or after any of the rebuilds.

I'm going to try different fluids and maybe some additives before looking
for a used replacement. But I may drop by some of the junk yards and see
what they are selling for.

Masnor


"Mike Romain" > wrote in message
...
>I would figure any more spent on that tranny would be just throwing good
> money after bad. It is toast in my mind. Bad cast maybe.
>
> I would be looking around at the wreckers for one.
>
> Unless you have had your Jeep out to play in the water in the last 1000
> miles? The tranny doesn't have a high water vent and they fill up if
> submerged. They then usually shift bad....
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> Masnor wrote:
>>
>> I have a 2000 Wrangler with a 4 liter and manual five speed. I'm the
>> second
>> owner and the first owner was a nurse that used the jeep as a highway
>> commuter car. The jeep has not been wrecked, rolled, or ever stuck.
>>
>> Over a year ago the reverse lockout pin was found (broken) while changing
>> the transmission fluid. I took it to the dealer under warranty and they
>> rebuilt the transmission. However, as soon as I picked up the Jeep there
>> was a shift problem. That's when upshifting into 2ndfelt like a tooth or
>> two
>> was grinding past. It would shift and stay in 2nd gear, but it was like
>> the
>> clutch was only partially depressed while upshifting - like a lazy
>> upshift
>> micro-grind. Shifting up to 3rd had a similar feel, but was less
>> noticeable. Downshifting was as it should be. No grind, but smooth
>> shifting.
>>
>> So, I took it back of course. They tried a number of things, including
>> rebuilding the transmission, clutch, throwout bearing, etc. Nothing
>> helped.
>> And after five overnight trips to the dealer (30 miles away) they told me
>> there was nothing they could do. When they test drove it, it was like
>> they
>> were driving the Pope-mobile and they would always take about three
>> seconds
>> to shift from one gear to the next - and with that time lag, the problem
>> is
>> less noticeable - but I could still hear it from the passenger seat.
>> However, that kind of shift is not normal or comfortable. I didn't throw
>> a
>> big enough fit and the warranty eventually expired.
>>
>> The problem stayed and eventually got to the point of occasional full
>> fledged grinds when shifting into second. Before having a lift put in
>> the
>> Wrangler I wanted to be sure the transmission was going to be good for
>> the
>> next 50,000 miles or so, so I took it to a one man transmission shop that
>> was recommended by a long time general automotive mechanic I have known
>> for
>> years.
>>
>> He couldn't find anything really wrong with the transmission except a
>> little
>> abrasion on the shaft - and he replaced the shaft. He thought the dealer
>> had been using the wrong fluid and initially the transmission shifted
>> better
>> with the fluid he used. However, after only about 1,000 miles, the
>> shifting
>> problem (not the all out grind) is back.
>>
>> Unfortunately, while it was shifting better, I had a lot of work done on
>> the
>> Jeep. Now I have a 4 inch lift, new tires, new differentials, and new
>> drive
>> shaft, but the transmission is annoying as hell. I can shift REAL slow,
>> or
>> double clutch when going up to 2nd, but that's not a cure, there is still
>> something not meshing like it should.
>>
>> So, finally, any suggestions? I've even starting thinking of a new
>> transmission, but the wife is going to kill me if it comes to that.
>>
>>

That transmission calls for a specific fluid, Pennzoil Syncromesh Manual
Transmission Fluid. It does not use standard gear oil.

"Masnor" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks for the response.
>
> It's not been submerged, not before or after any of the rebuilds.
>
> I'm going to try different fluids and maybe some additives before looking
> for a used replacement. But I may drop by some of the junk yards and see
> what they are selling for.
>
> Masnor
>
>
> "Mike Romain" > wrote in message
> ...
>>I would figure any more spent on that tranny would be just throwing good
>> money after bad. It is toast in my mind. Bad cast maybe.
>>
>> I would be looking around at the wreckers for one.
>>
>> Unless you have had your Jeep out to play in the water in the last 1000
>> miles? The tranny doesn't have a high water vent and they fill up if
>> submerged. They then usually shift bad....
>>
>> Mike
>> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
>> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
>> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
>> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
>> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>>
>> Masnor wrote:
>>>
>>> I have a 2000 Wrangler with a 4 liter and manual five speed. I'm the
>>> second
>>> owner and the first owner was a nurse that used the jeep as a highway
>>> commuter car. The jeep has not been wrecked, rolled, or ever stuck.
>>>
>>> Over a year ago the reverse lockout pin was found (broken) while
>>> changing
>>> the transmission fluid. I took it to the dealer under warranty and they
>>> rebuilt the transmission. However, as soon as I picked up the Jeep
>>> there
>>> was a shift problem. That's when upshifting into 2ndfelt like a tooth or
>>> two
>>> was grinding past. It would shift and stay in 2nd gear, but it was like
>>> the
>>> clutch was only partially depressed while upshifting - like a lazy
>>> upshift
>>> micro-grind. Shifting up to 3rd had a similar feel, but was less
>>> noticeable. Downshifting was as it should be. No grind, but smooth
>>> shifting.
>>>
>>> So, I took it back of course. They tried a number of things, including
>>> rebuilding the transmission, clutch, throwout bearing, etc. Nothing
>>> helped.
>>> And after five overnight trips to the dealer (30 miles away) they told
>>> me
>>> there was nothing they could do. When they test drove it, it was like
>>> they
>>> were driving the Pope-mobile and they would always take about three
>>> seconds
>>> to shift from one gear to the next - and with that time lag, the problem
>>> is
>>> less noticeable - but I could still hear it from the passenger seat.
>>> However, that kind of shift is not normal or comfortable. I didn't
>>> throw a
>>> big enough fit and the warranty eventually expired.
>>>
>>> The problem stayed and eventually got to the point of occasional full
>>> fledged grinds when shifting into second. Before having a lift put in
>>> the
>>> Wrangler I wanted to be sure the transmission was going to be good for
>>> the
>>> next 50,000 miles or so, so I took it to a one man transmission shop
>>> that
>>> was recommended by a long time general automotive mechanic I have known
>>> for
>>> years.
>>>
>>> He couldn't find anything really wrong with the transmission except a
>>> little
>>> abrasion on the shaft - and he replaced the shaft. He thought the
>>> dealer
>>> had been using the wrong fluid and initially the transmission shifted
>>> better
>>> with the fluid he used. However, after only about 1,000 miles, the
>>> shifting
>>> problem (not the all out grind) is back.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately, while it was shifting better, I had a lot of work done on
>>> the
>>> Jeep. Now I have a 4 inch lift, new tires, new differentials, and new
>>> drive
>>> shaft, but the transmission is annoying as hell. I can shift REAL slow,
>>> or
>>> double clutch when going up to 2nd, but that's not a cure, there is
>>> still
>>> something not meshing like it should.
>>>
>>> So, finally, any suggestions? I've even starting thinking of a new
>>> transmission, but the wife is going to kill me if it comes to that.
>>>
>>>
>
>