2000 TJ 32RH Transmission Problem

[Bartman]

I'm looking at a 2000 TJ with a reported transmission issue. Current owner says he had the 32RH rebuilt, and now 3rd and 4th gear do not engage all the time. Does this sound like an easy fix, costly fix, or buy a used transmission fix? If I buy this TJ, the only time 4 wheel drive will be used is in snow. I'm not into wheeling anymore.

Thanks Everyone.

Bartman1959

"Remember, Everyone Is A Bad Guy Until Proven Otherwise"

 

[Chris]

How many miles are on the Jeep and the supposed transmission rebuild?

If you need a new AX15, you can get crate units from Advanced Adapters.

I'd start by checking the transmission fluid and changing it out with some Redline MTL which has been known to work wonders.

EDIT: Just saw you updated that it's an automatic. Forget what I said!

 

[tworley]

How many miles are on the Jeep and the supposed transmission rebuild?

If you need a new AX15, you can get crate units from Advanced Adapters.

I'd start by checking the transmission fluid and changing it out with some Redline MTL which has been known to work wonders.

I'll be one to state that I dont like Redline MT 90. Very notchy.

 

[Chris]

I'll be one to state that I dont like Redline MT 90. Very notchy.

What do you use instead?

 

[tworley]

What do you use instead?

I'm currently using the redline. But previously used pennzoil syncromesh which I liked better

 

[Chris]

I'm currently using the redline. But previously used pennzoil syncromesh which I liked better

To this day this is the best stuff I've been able to find for manual transmissions. Granted I never got to try it in a Jeep, but in every other manual I've owned it's been a game changer:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3TRVWWN/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Bartman]

I'll be one to state that I dont like Redline MT 90. Very notchy.

How many miles are on the Jeep and the supposed transmission rebuild?

If you need a new AX15, you can get crate units from Advanced Adapters.

I'd start by checking the transmission fluid and changing it out with some Redline MTL which has been known to work wonders.

177,000 miles on the Jeep. I messaged the guy to find out how many miles ago, who rebuilt it, and if there was a warranty. I'll let you know when he replies.

Bartman1959

"Remember, Everyone Is A Bad Guy Until Proven Otherwise"

 

[Chris]

177,000 miles on the Jeep. I messaged the guy to find out how many miles ago, who rebuilt it, and if there was a warranty. I'll let you know when he replies.

Bartman1959

"Remember, Everyone Is A Bad Guy Until Proven Otherwise"

If he was lying about it being rebuilt then it stands to reason at 177k miles it is on it's way out.

When he says "rebuilt" that also doesn't necessarily mean the entire thing was rebuilt, it could have just been bits and pieces. For the most part it seems transmissions (depending on how you drive them) tend to need rebuilds around 200k miles or so.

 

[Bartman]

If he was lying about it being rebuilt then it stands to reason at 177k miles it is on it's way out.

When he says "rebuilt" that also doesn't necessarily mean the entire thing was rebuilt, it could have just been bits and pieces. For the most part it seems transmissions (depending on how you drive them) tend to need rebuilds around 200k miles or so.

Here's his reply: "The guy that rebuilt it won't answer my calls. I'm pretty sure the pump is bad but not sure."

Bartman1959

"Remember, Everyone Is A Bad Guy Until Proven Otherwise"

 

[Chris]

Here's his reply: "The guy that rebuilt it won't answer my calls. I'm pretty sure the pump is bad but not sure."

Bartman1959

"Remember, Everyone Is A Bad Guy Until Proven Otherwise"

The pump? I'm confused about that.

I'm also doubtful he actually had it rebuilt. Even if he did, they may have forgot about all the syncros.

 

[Bartman]

The pump? I'm confused about that.

I'm also doubtful he actually had it rebuilt. Even if he did, they may have forgot about all the syncros.

Me too. I just messaged him again asking if it's an AT.

Bartman1959

"Remember, Everyone Is A Bad Guy Until Proven Otherwise"

 

[Bartman]

The pump? I'm confused about that.

I'm also doubtful he actually had it rebuilt. Even if he did, they may have forgot about all the syncros.

It IS an AT. So, never mind. Thanks for the input.

Bartman1959

"Remember, Everyone Is A Bad Guy Until Proven Otherwise"

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The 32RH is a 3-speed automatic so it doesn't have a 4th gear. The correct fluid for it is ATF+4.

 

[hear]

The 32RH is a 3-speed automatic so it doesn't have a 4th gear.

Took way too many replies for this information to come out. Assuming that you don't actually have a 4th gear, it not going into 3rd could be an internal issue, or it could just be that you're in "Manual 2" mode and not D at least some of the time. But that's just a guess at a simple solution. If the problem is more serious, I did some investigation into the economics of the 32RH market over the summer. Inflation since then may have impacted these prices. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...mission-fully-successfully.63098/post-1141389

That said, the 2000 only came with a 3 speed, but it's not out of the question that the PO swapped in an AW-4 which would give you a 4th gear. If so, your options get much cheaper, as AW-4's are found in Cherokees and can be had for very cheap (once you account for the slight variations across years). You should get under the thing and verify what you've got. The 32RH will have a square pan with a corner cut off, while the AW4 will have a long rectangular pan with the dipstick tube coming out of the passenger side of the pan (among other major differences). Of course if it is an AW4 it could also be a computer problem since it electronically controlled. Good times.