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Freshening up an AW4


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So the aw4 in my 01 xj has almost completely lost reverse, only reverse, and I've got another transmission to swap in.

 

I've been told to change filter and fluid and see if that fixes my issue, I'm guessing it won't but I'll try it first.

 

But if I have to swap in this aw4 I have, what all would you guys suggest I do to it to freshen it up and make sure it's good to go?

Its been sitting outside for a while, torque converter still on it, I won't be using it, I'll use mine.

Is there any easy or cheap upgrades to these things while I have it out?

 

I've never had this aw4 out of this jeep but have had others and ax15s out before so removal and install I'm knowledgeable on.

 

Anything to do to the tcase while its out? Already got a hack n tap sye on it.

 

 

So I guess while everybody is reading this, what could cause it to only slip in reverse? Will idle in reverse but slips under throttle. I can power brake it in drive or 1st and it works flawlessly. Fluid doesnt smell burnt but is slightly discolored. It is filled correctly, first thing I checked.

 

Thanks guys.

 

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I've had a few xjs and mjs do this when they get up in mileage. In the last one I used an old school trick but I'm out of old brake fluid from a metal container. Old as in new but old style caustic @$$ $#!&. I've had good luck with sea foam transmission treatment on a few Ford's .

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47 minutes ago, krustyballer16 said:

 

So the aw4 in my 01 xj has almost completely lost reverse, only reverse, and I've got another transmission to swap in.

 

I've been told to change filter and fluid and see if that fixes my issue, I'm guessing it won't but I'll try it first.

 

But if I have to swap in this aw4 I have, what all would you guys suggest I do to it to freshen it up and make sure it's good to go?

Its been sitting outside for a while, torque converter still on it, I won't be using it, I'll use mine.

Is there any easy or cheap upgrades to these things while I have it out?

 

I've never had this aw4 out of this jeep but have had others and ax15s out before so removal and install I'm knowledgeable on.

 

Anything to do to the tcase while its out? Already got a hack n tap sye on it.

 

 

So I guess while everybody is reading this, what could cause it to only slip in reverse? Will idle in reverse but slips under throttle. I can power brake it in drive or 1st and it works flawlessly. Fluid doesnt smell burnt but is slightly discolored. It is filled correctly, first thing I checked.

 

Thanks guys.

 

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

What does the fluid look and smell like? 

 

 

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I will have to consult my shop manual to see what are the possible causes of no reverse gear.

 

in the meantime, if I was swapping in a replacement AW-4, I would put un a new front pump seal, a new filter, and a new pan gasket before I installed it.

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With the old one, I'd change fluid a few times. Use DextronII. If that doesn't work or improve it, I'd unplug the TCU (trans computer). See if reverse works then. If it does, then its electronics. Then you could try swapping in a valve body. 

          If I was to swap in a used AW4, both input and output seals. I'd probably replace the solenoid valves from an 00-up AW4. They are blue green, instead of brown. I have done the TransGo shift kits. I can't say the basic one did anything noticeable. I do have the HD one in an XJ. A bit firmer shifts. I'd probably drop the pan and see if there is any black sludge in the pan. IE band wear. A '98 XJ with roughly 130K had some in the pan. Then next '98 with 220K had near none. That trans did leak, so I had an '01 rebuilt and put in. That one got the TransGo HD shift kit.  I have an '00 XJ with 260K. I saw minimal band sludge when I dropped the pan, and replaced the filter screen. Also, clean the two magnets. 

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from the outside:

 

- full flush

- fresh fluid and filter

- new seals

- new solenoids, overtime they can stick, not retract fully just or die..

- new accumulator springs and seals...

 

if you have the skills and tools required, new and upgraded clutch plates would be great but if that was the case you would be asking...

 

 

On 12/1/2019 at 6:04 PM, krustyballer16 said:

Will idle in reverse but slips under throttle.

 

a dragging band doesn´t slip like that, and a slipping clutch will do the same in D so must be a something in the valve body, do you have the bad habit of shifting to R while moving forward? or shifting back and forth from D to R too quickly?

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First unplug the trans computer and drive it like a manual to see what happens.  If it still does it, then it's mechanical, if it doesnt do it, then it's electrical.

 

If it's mechanical then do a fluid change and see what happens.

 

If it's electrical, it could be anything.  Start testing things.  My 98 XJ had a slipping trans in 4th caused by an electrical issue, it turned out to be the CPS.

 

As for the swap, I'd just change the fluid and throw it in.  If it works it works.  Be careful with the crossmember bolts, I've snapped them before and it sucked.

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First unplug the trans computer and drive it like a manual to see what happens.  If it still does it, then it's mechanical, if it doesnt do it, then it's electrical.
 
If it's mechanical then do a fluid change and see what happens.
 
If it's electrical, it could be anything.  Start testing things.  My 98 XJ had a slipping trans in 4th caused by an electrical issue, it turned out to be the CPS.
 
As for the swap, I'd just change the fluid and throw it in.  If it works it works.  Be careful with the crossmember bolts, I've snapped them before and it sucked.
Ivr got a dirtbound 3 link kit. So xmember bolts are new lol

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Just now, krustyballer16 said:

Ivr got a dirtbound 3 link kit. So xmember bolts are new lol

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Nice!  Figured you wouldn't have a real problem fixing it if they did anyway. Lol

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  • 3 weeks later...
19 hours ago, cruiser54 said:

Yes. And make sure the TV cable is adjusted properly. 

Agreed.  I was astounded how screwy an AW-4 can act when the TV cable slips back and forth from it's proper setting.   It makes you think your trans is completely shot.

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On 12/3/2019 at 7:35 PM, omega_rugal said:

 

if you have the skills and tools required, new and upgraded clutch plates would be great but if that was the case you would be asking...

 

 

Who sells ones that are worth buying?  Debating building up my spare for my XJ as it doesn't really like the heavy tires.

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I got a replacement TV cable for the AW-4 on Amazon.  I think it was an Omix-Ada branded part.  It's not quite as nicely constructed as a Mopar cable, but it functions correctly.

 

By the way, they are LOTS of fun to change if someone has tie-wrapped the cable to the trans tunnel above the transmission body.  Digging around up there to free up on the old cable was a nightmare for me.

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Do I just drop the pan or do I have to drop the valve body too?

https://globaltransmissionparts.com/Jeep-aw4-a340-transmission-solenoid-filter-service-kit/?gclid=CjwKCAiAo7HwBRBKEiwAvC_Q8Y10b6t4NVWBsAccNoCRnWUWiU3YoqUj6EU42gYuQdnkIYCAR6Kq4RoCnDgQAvD_BwE

Was thinking of getting this kit too.

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