AX-15 Transmission Issues

[Andy Maurer]

My TJ is not a daily driver so it will often sit a month or more before being driven. When I took it out last month it drove and shifted fine, no issues at all. I got in it yesterday and it started right up per normal, but I could not shift into reverse. There is play in the shifter from side to side but it will not go to the far right where reverse should be... but it gets even weirder. The clutch engages as normal, but when I put it in 1st - 5th gear and release the clutch it does not move, I cannot release the clutch fully without it dying, it seems like it is binding. When I release the clutch with the shifter in neutral it acts like it is in first gear. I have play in the shifter from side to side, but it drives like it is in first gear. With the clutch fully engaged it idles fine. I have not worked on transmissions before, any thoughts or things to check before taking it to a transmission shop?

98 TJ, 4.0, AX-15 Transmission

 

[Justemptyeverypocket]

My TJ is not a daily driver so it will often sit a month or more before being driven. When I took it out last month it drove and shifted fine, no issues at all. I got in it yesterday and it started right up per normal, but I could not shift into reverse. There is play in the shifter from side to side but it will not go to the far right where reverse should be... but it gets even weirder. The clutch engages as normal, but when I put it in 1st - 5th gear and release the clutch it does not move, I cannot release the clutch fully without it dying, it seems like it is binding. When I release the clutch with the shifter in neutral it acts like it is in first gear. I have play in the shifter from side to side, but it drives like it is in first gear. With the clutch fully engaged it idles fine. I have not worked on transmissions before, any thoughts or things to check before taking it to a transmission shop?

98 TJ, 4.0, AX-15 Transmission

I had a Cherokee with the same issues it sounds like its time for you to replace your master cylinder

 

[Andy Maurer]

Is there anything I can do to validate the master cylinder is bad before replacing?

 

[Justemptyeverypocket]

Is there anything I can do to validate the master cylinder is bad before replacing?

Nothing that i know of besides trying to put it in gear but hey if it is bad you have an external slave so it wouldn't be too bad i miss typed in the first reply btw i meant slave cyilnder

 

[Mjv]

Slave cylinder

 

[Andy Maurer]

Ordered a new pre loaded clutch master and slave cylinder assembly, it will be here Thursday. Hopefully this resolves the issue. I watched a video of the install which does not look too bad, will update once installed & tested.

 

[Andy Maurer]

I got the new clutch master & slave installed, not too bad other than getting to the clutch. Initially it did not change anything, I was still not able to shift correctly. I decided to remove the center counsel to take a closer look & after I removed it and the lower shift boot it started shifting correctly. Problem solved, thanks for the suggestion and saving me $ taking it to a shop.... I love this site!