2001 automatic TJ won’t drive in reverse

[TJ60Anniversary]

I have a 2001 automatic TJ, daily driver. Yesterday when I put it in reverse there was a lot of hesitation before it finally backed up. Driving forward wasn’t a problem and the next two times I was able to back up without a problem. Today when I attempted to back out of my driveway I had to press the gas more than expected in order for it to move. It mostly just revs. I backed it up enough that that I was able to drive forward over the lawn. I can feel the car wanting to shift into reverse, but it just doesn't move.

Any thoughts/ideas at what the problem could be or am I looking at a rebuild?

 

[TJ Jim]

Tranny fluid level is full?

 

[TheBoogieman]

1. Low or Contaminated Transmission Fluid: Ensure the fluid is at the correct level and not dirty or contaminated1.
2. Faulty Shift Solenoid: A malfunctioning solenoid can prevent the transmission from shifting into reverse1.
3. Worn or Damaged Bands: The low-reverse band might be worn out or damaged2.
4. Valve Body Issues: Problems within the valve body can also cause shifting issues1.
5. Internal Transmission Damage: There could be internal damage or misalignment within the transmission34.

 

[TJ60Anniversary]

Tranny fluid level is full?

Yep, fluid is full

 

[TJ60Anniversary]

Tranny fluid level is full?

Yep, fluid is full

 

[TJ60Anniversary]

1. Low or Contaminated Transmission Fluid: Ensure the fluid is at the correct level and not dirty or contaminated1.
2. Faulty Shift Solenoid: A malfunctioning solenoid can prevent the transmission from shifting into reverse1.
3. Worn or Damaged Bands: The low-reverse band might be worn out or damaged2.
4. Valve Body Issues: Problems within the valve body can also cause shifting issues1.
5. Internal Transmission Damage: There could be internal damage or misalignment within the transmission34.

I appreciate this. You gave me a lot of things to check into.

 

[hear]

1. Low or Contaminated Transmission Fluid: Ensure the fluid is at the correct level and not dirty or contaminated1.
2. Faulty Shift Solenoid: A malfunctioning solenoid can prevent the transmission from shifting into reverse1.
3. Worn or Damaged Bands: The low-reverse band might be worn out or damaged2.
4. Valve Body Issues: Problems within the valve body can also cause shifting issues1.
5. Internal Transmission Damage: There could be internal damage or misalignment within the transmission34.

Assuming his 2001 has the 32RH, there is no shift solenoid. There is a low/reverse band, but I wouldn't expect that the band itself would hold better with time. The piston that applies the band might be slow to build enough pressure to hold it tight. Reverse requires something like 3x the line pressure for reverse than it does the forward gears, so its not necessarily crazy talk to have a reverse issue w/o any problems elsewhere. Reverse also uses the forward clutch pack which is only used in 3rd gear, so if you have a solid 3rd gear then it's probably not your problem either.

Just so we're on a level playing field, let's confirm that the fluid was checked with everything warmed up and the transmission in neutral. And then filled with ATF+4.

The best thing to do is probably do the pressure test as described in the FSM. But that's kinda hard and I've never even done it, and it might not even reveal where exactly the problem is, IDK. The next best thing to do is maybe to drop the pan and do a band adjustment, but I would really be surprised if that's the problem. If the thing drives ok in Manual-1 then it's probably not the low/reverse band itself. If it's the seal on that piston, you can't get the piston out without removing the extension housing. And there's always the possibility that it's a valve body problem. Those are hard to diagnose.

 

[hear]

@TJ60Anniversary - you should tweak your profile to correct your transmission. If you have the 3 spd it's the 32RH. If you have overdrive you have the 42RLE (in al likelihood).

 

[TheBoogieman]

@TJ60Anniversary - you should tweak your profile to correct your transmission. If you have the 3 spd it's the 32RH. If you have overdrive you have the 42RLE (in al likelihood).

View attachment 567034

The avatar is his wedding anniversary badge. He has an 01' Sahara auto.

 

[hear]

The avatar is his wedding anniversary badge. He has an 01' Sahara auto.

Right, I'm confident that's what he's got, but his profile says 42RH 3. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[TJ60Anniversary]

@TJ60Anniversary - you should tweak your profile to correct your transmission. If you have the 3 spd it's the 32RH. If you have overdrive you have the 42RLE (in al likelihood).

View attachment 567034

Will do