Stalling going into reverse

Copper01

New Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
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8
Location
NY
I've noticed that recently, only after the transmission/engine have warmed up and driven for a while, when shifting into reverse the engine bogs way down and stalls. First thing in the morning when everything is cold there's no trouble at all.

I've already taken apart the throttle body, cleaned the IAC and everything else in there. I did a drain and fill on the transmission pan, didn't see any carnage in there, the fluid was a little dark though.

I'm wondering if its something with the torque converter/tcc solenoid not releasing all the way, but I would assume I would get the stalling going into drive as well if that were the case, but I'm not entirely versed in torque converter failure so maybe Im wrong there.

Any other suggestions?
 
The torque converter spins the same direction whether you're in Drive or Reverse so that's an interesting problem. Is the wiring leading to the torque converter lockup connector at the very rear of the transmission in good condition and not able to touch anything? The electrical connector I'm talking about points toward the rear of the Jeep.
 
Ill have a take a closer look when I get home later. I have a scan tool and Im able to actuate the TCC solenoid with the tool and it appears to work, at least the reading at the PCM says its engaging and I maybe hear a faint click from the valve body in the transmission pan.

Ill take a closer look anyhow and see what I find.
 
I have heard this a couple of times now and at least twice it turned out to be the wiring harness. They get chewed through a little typically by the protruding head bolt and when the Jeep was shifted into reverse, it torqued things just the right way to cause it to short out.
 
I am having same issue, stalling only in reverse. Did you resolve the problem on your Jeep?

unplug the tcc at the back corner of the transmission. It will run perfectly fine w/o it plugged in, but obviously the lockup won't happen. If you still have the problem then you know it's elsewhere. Fluid level is always worth checking.

Regardless, if the jeep stalls specifically when the transmission does something, it's pretty much because the engine wants to turn the flex plate but something in the downstream drivetrain won't allow it to turn. Usually the torque converter takes up that rotation if you're in gear but the wheels aren't moving. So I agree with Jerry, it stalling in R but not in D is odd. I can look up what components are common/different between 1st gear & R, but this is challenging my understanding of the transmission + torque converter system.
 
unplug the tcc at the back corner of the transmission. It will run perfectly fine w/o it plugged in, but obviously the lockup won't happen. If you still have the problem then you know it's elsewhere. Fluid level is always worth checking.

Regardless, if the jeep stalls specifically when the transmission does something, it's pretty much because the engine wants to turn the flex plate but something in the downstream drivetrain won't allow it to turn. Usually the torque converter takes up that rotation if you're in gear but the wheels aren't moving. So I agree with Jerry, it stalling in R but not in D is odd. I can look up what components are common/different between 1st gear & R, but this is challenging my understanding of the transmission + torque converter system.

99.9% a good bet there is nothing about this that is transmission related.
 
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Thank you, yes it only does this in reverse. 2002 Jeep Wrangler 4.0 liter. Operates perfect cold soon as she warms up the coughing, sputtering and lurching begin in reverse only. No codes
 
Look at the rear end of the cylinder head on the driver's side for the harness. Grab it and wiggle it around while it's running and see what happens. Then get under the Jeep and wiggle around the wiring attached to the O2 and crank position sensors. That would be my first guess.
 
Look at the rear end of the cylinder head on the driver's side for the harness. Grab it and wiggle it around while it's running and see what happens. Then get under the Jeep and wiggle around the wiring attached to the O2 and crank position sensors. That would be my first guess.

Put it in reverse with the tires blocked and then wiggle the harness.
 
Put it in reverse with the tires blocked and then wiggle the harness.

Sounds like you have a theory, can you share it? What are you thinking is happening?


Also yes, blocking the tires might be an important step here. :)
 
Sounds like you have a theory, can you share it? What are you thinking is happening?


Also yes, blocking the tires might be an important step here. :)

I'd guess that the motor is torquing over and causing some issues in a harness. If he can get someone to give it small bits of throttle in reverse with it blocked and the brakes on, he may even find that there is an issue with a motor mount.
 
I'm having the same issue I just did a transmission swap. My other transmission was slipping bad. But the new transmission came out of a running jeep. I was told.... Runs perfect in drive shifts thou all gears perfect. Once warm I put in reverse it boggs down lose all power.