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that little power transmission switch


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 hey gang -  so  87 4.0 auto - pretty much all stock.  I'm trying to figure what the switch on the dash that says something like power or something similar  (the lettering is worn)  and shows a little gearbox , actually does anything and if so how to determine if there's a problem with it - I've flipped it a few times and can't fell any difference but perhaps the conditions are quite right -  or is just some useless item that lights up at night

 

thx!

 mike

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It raises the shift points of the transmission. It was eliminated after 1991 - from then on the AW4 was permanently in "Power" mode. Mostly useless, but one of those things you don't see anymore except on heavier trucks. If the switch lights up it's working correctly.

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It supposedly changes the shift points.

From the '88 sales brochure, page 8:

"The optional 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission changes from off-road 'Power' setting to highway-cruising 'Comfort' mode with the push of a button."

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The POWER/COMFORT switch applies 12VDC to TCU pin C11 in the POWER position. I don't know how the internals of the TCU work, but it causes the transmission to shift at slightly RPMs than when in the COMFORT position. The shifts also feel "crisper", if that's a proper word. It doesn't affect gas mileage for me. I much prefer the POWER mode for highway driving. This switch was abandoned permanently on the 92 (93?) models and hardwired to the POWER mode.

 

If the dash P/C switch isn't working (open) you can not switch from the default COMFORT mode to the POWER mode. It's simple to hardwire the P/C switch to permanent POWER operation. For HOs, disconnect the 3-pin connector from the dash P/C switch and jumper the BLU and TAN wires together at the switch connector. For Renix do the same to the STRIPED and TAN wires. Jumping these wires corresponds to the P/C switch pins B and C.

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I deleted the power/comfort switch on both my 91 XJ and 91 MJ as described in Hornbrod's post.  The difference in shift feel is small, but I prefer the power mode.  For the XJ, I replaced the switch bezel with one from a 92+ XJ that still has the rear wiper switch but no power/comfort switch.  On the MJ, I replaced the switch bezel with a flat plate for a "no switches" option that attaches directly to the dash panel rather than being screwed to the dash.  Both appear factory and I don't miss the power/comfort switch.

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I wouldn't say it disappeared altogether... What do you think all those tow/haul buttons are doing on modern trucks?

Mostly all those settings do are keep the trans out of overdrive.
Not really, trucks nowadays don't even have "overdrive". It's to raise RPM shift points and keep you in the right gear as much as possible.
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For what it's worth, I prefer the "Comfort" shifting mode for gentle driving around town, but it locks the the torque converter at like 30mph, which sucks. Obviously it gets switched to Power if there's any possibility of spirited or even brisk driving. I'm a simple mind so I like flicking switches though. I like my dumb transmission switch so much I even replaced it after I broke it once getting the interior apart.

 

A friend once told me my MJ was like a fighter jet because it had a bunch of switches on the dash  :yes:

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  • 1 year later...
Looking to get a new one of these as mine is broken. What would be my best bet?


Post an ad in the wanted section. I don’t know if you’ll find brand new but used are found in ‘87 to pre ‘92 XJs with 4.0L and AW4.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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some time ago i tried an XJ with that switch, i was curious and obviusly took the chance to test it: comfort mode works as long as you don`t floor it, faster shifts and at lower rpms and the TC locks soone too, i assume that flooring the engine makes the tranny ignore the switch and reverts back to power mode in case you need to accelerate

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On 3/18/2016 at 12:18 PM, 91Pioneer said:

Not really, trucks nowadays don't even have "overdrive". It's to raise RPM shift points and keep you in the right gear as much as possible.

moot point...........however.........

 

Yes they do and my Frontier has an OD lock out button on the shifter for pulling a trailer.

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