Jeep Enthusiast Forums banner

Transmission overheating problem....

5K views 18 replies 6 participants last post by  Liltbone05 
#1 ·
My tranny just over heated for the second time. I was on a gravel trail, no mud or anything just some small hills nothing major and I noticed the O/D light is on and won't shut off. There's no reason on a simple gravel trail like this that my tranny should be over heating. I just changed the tranny not even 10k miles ago and put in all new seals, new fluid new filter everything. One thing I did notice is that Ive got a leak coming from the tranny return line right by the radiator but I've kept up on the fluid and never let it get low. This is the second time this has happened in the same spot. I have also noticed since it overheated that I can feel it down **** every time I slow down now, it will jerk and almost feels like its surging forward when downshifting to come to a stop. Is this a serious issue? I just put this tranny in not ever 2 years ago and it sucked, I really don't want to put in a 3rd one. Any ideas or suggestions are more than welcome PLEASE!:cheers2: Thanks for your time. Oh it's a 98 ZJ with a 318 and 44re with a 242 swap.
 
#2 ·
I am still having tranny issues. The other day I adjusted the tv cable and got it shifting just about perfect. The issues is if I drive it after about 10 miles or so it will start to downshift hard and when I come to a stop the rpms will keep dropping like it's going to stall then kick back up then drop... If I continue driving it this way the tranny will eventually overheat. All new fluid and filter, not low either. There's no reason a tranny should overheat under normal driving conditions and I cannot figure out why. I hate to have to replace the tranny again when otherwise it works perfectly fine. Please help any suggestions would be really appreciated!
 
#3 ·
Make sure engine is not running hot as this will cause the trans to run hotter too. My car had a weak fan clutch and would not cool at slow speeds. A bad torque converter can generate lots of heat too.

Check for oil flow thru the cooler lines. Gotta disconnect the output hose (top fitting from cooler) in neutral

I verified my temps with a IR gun I got at harbor freight on sale. Its easy to stop anytime and shoot the trans pan.
 
#4 ·
Thanks. The jeep is running right at 210 like normal. The torque converter did cross my mind. It had some other weird symptoms too. If I leave the jeep running for a few mins while I run in the store or something when I go to put it in gear it'll stall. Restart and put it in gear and its fine. Also when put in gear drops rpm's like there's too much of a load on it or something?
 
#5 ·
If you still have the check valve in the trans. line to the cooler in the radiator this can cause the trans. to overheat. The valve gets easily clogged and severely restricts the flow through the cooler. Many people just remove it altogether (myself included).
 
#6 ·
Don't mean to hijack here...but I could not find check valve when I installed an external cooler on my 94 4.0. The cooler lines did not seem to have a great flow either, but my trans runs at 180-190 (max).

So what is typical location?? :cheers2:
 
#8 ·
On the V8's its inline with the harmonic balancer where the line switches from steel to rubber.
 
#7 ·
On the 98 you should get some code/s from a scanner wit a trans issue , not always does it show up as a CEL either , mine didn't . Check for stored codes .

Does sound like a convertor issue .
 
#10 ·
The more I think about it the more I think this check valve could be my issue. When I start the jeep for the first time of the day and put it in gear it revs a little high while taking off for a few seconds unless I leave it in neutral or drive for a minute first. It I'll my does this the first start of the day and is fine after that. I wonder if that valve is not working correctly and obstructing flow from the radiator.
 
#11 ·
Well I went ahead and removed the check valve and am getting ready to test drive it and see if that was the issue or not. Is there anyway to tell if the valve is bad? I tried blowing through it and got nothing. Also tried shaking it and it makes no noise at all. Well anyways wish me luck!
 
#14 ·
Yes the fluid seems to be flowing just fine. I have no way to actually check the temp. I had my jeep in for the trailer hitch recall and was talking to a tech there about my symptoms and he even described one of them without me telling him and he told me it's gotta be the torque converter. When it acts up and I slow down to a stop it downshifts hard then when stopped it feels like it's trying to over ride the brakes and lunge forward.
 
#16 ·
Right it's like the torque converter is staying locked up putting too much of a load on the tranny causing it to heat up. Also when I put it in gear the rpm's drop real low like there's too much of a load there. It's kind of hard to explain it. It used to shift hard too but I adjusted the tv cable and it shifts pretty much perfect now. Too bad I gotta pull a good tranny. I'm nervous to replace just the torque converter when I know this tranny has been overheated a few times. Cheapest I've found a used tranny around here is $350 and I only paid $220 for this one a few years back. A new torque converter is like $140 if I decide to go that route but if I can find a good used tranny that comes with a torque converter for like 100 more would I be better off going that route? What makes me mad is I wanted to put in a new torque converter when I did this tranny but didn't have the spare cash. I'm trying to find a good deal on labor too because it was a nightmare doing it myself before with no lift or anything at all. Not to mention the weather will be turning soon and I don't have a garage to work in or anything either.
 
#17 ·
The transmission will generate tons of heat if one of the clutch packs slips. This sounds like your problem. It would indicate that it is time for a rebuild of the trans. If the fluid is dark and smells burnt, then this tells me your trans is in really bad shape and needs immediate attention.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top