32RH Tranny

[Wild Bill's ‘98 TJ]

1998 TJ 4.0 3 speed automatic 150k miles
2nd owner babied by both owners.
*Issue*
Recently, reverse is slow to “fully” engage. It will roll back when put in reverse but takes a few seconds to move with acceleration. Also recently and occasionally, it doesn’t want to shift to 3rd until you back off the accelerator or give the accelerator a quick punch.
I’ve watched videos about adjusting/tightening the bands (front externally and rear internally). About 2-3k miles ago I dropped the pan, cleaned everything, changed the filter, and refilled with spec fluid. I did that because reverse was acting up.
Do I need to see about having the transmission rebuilt or should I try less expensive things first? If I adjust the reverse band, I’ll have to pull the pan again.
In my opinion, the fluid is a little darker than it should be and has a slight burnt smell and I just recently changed it.
Thanks in advance for opinions!!

 

[Wild Bill's ‘98 TJ]

I have adjusted the TV cable to no avail.

 

[OldBuzzard]

That is a spectacular looking Jeep!

Your title should probably have "32RH tranny" in it so people will know what the thread is about.

Calling @hear the 32RH guy.

 

[hear]

Burned fluid is not a good sign. But it being slow to get to reverse either means a servo is bleeding pressure off, or something is making it build pressure slow. Reverse takes 3x the pressure so it maybe isn’t surprising that you see the problem there but not other places.

Not wanting to go into 3rd feels like a sticky valve or governor problem. Both can be overhauled w/o removing the transmission.

If you aren’t getting slipping I wouldn’t jump to a rebuild just yet. Esp if 1st and 2nd are shifting normally. M1 will also exercise the LR band, so drive it in M1 and see if it gets off the line ok and also gives you engine braking. M2 won’t give you engine braking so see if M1 & M2 behave differently as you decelerate.

I would start there.

 

[Wild Bill's ‘98 TJ]

That is a spectacular looking Jeep!

Your title should probably have "32RH tranny" in it so people will know what the thread is about.

Calling @hear the 32RH guy.

Thanks!

 

[Wild Bill's ‘98 TJ]

Burned fluid is not a good sign. But it being slow to get to reverse either means a servo is bleeding pressure off, or something is making it build pressure slow. Reverse takes 3x the pressure so it maybe isn’t surprising that you see the problem there but not other places.

Not wanting to go into 3rd feels like a sticky valve or governor problem. Both can be overhauled w/o removing the transmission.

If you aren’t getting slipping I wouldn’t jump to a rebuild just yet. Esp if 1st and 2nd are shifting normally. M1 will also exercise the LR band, so drive it in M1 and see if it gets off the line ok and also gives you engine braking. M2 won’t give you engine braking so see if M1 & M2 behave differently as you decelerate.

I would start there.

Sticky valve or governor?
Yes, 1st and 2nd shift normally. It’s just reverse slow to fully engage and 3rd is hesitant at times. I do a lot of mechanics/maintenance myself but transmissions are not my thing.