Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Can shift gears but lost all power, can’t move—is this transmission, clutch, transfer-case, diff?

t00th

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
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260
Location
SE PA
I was driving home from VA to PA and somewhere in Maryland I felt the car jump a little while in 5th, gave it gas and got nothing, revs but no response. So I downshifted and kept moving in 4th, trying to get it back into 5th but it wouldn’t grab.

When I finally reached a red light, once I put it in 1st to take off again, I got nothing, shifter moves to all gears but Jeep won't move.

Got it pushed to the side and towed to a local shop.

As it currently sits, while running I can shift into all gears, but get no power to the wheels. It just revs as though I was in neutral. This is in 2H, 4H and 4L.

I can’t really hear anything that sounds broken or rattly, but then again the loud-ish exhaust the PO put on along with my cracked header make it harder to hear stuff, unfortunately. Clutch still feels like it has pressure.

If it matters, for the last two or so weeks, 4th has been harder to get into, having to sort of hunt for it and lay on it to get it to take, especially on a downshift. And I noticed it being worst on that drive before this all happened.

These details point to a likely issue?
 
Last edited:
My guess is you need a new clutch.

If it's at a shop, I'm assuming they're perfectly capable of diagnosing the issue.

Or are you planning on fixing it yourself?

-Mac
 
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My guess is you need a new clutch.

If it's at a shop, I'm assuming they're perfectly capable of diagnosing the issue.

Or are you planning on fixing it yourself?

-Mac
It was the mechanic's guess when he took a look at it yesterday. But they aren't getting it on the lift til today. Crossing my fingers that's all it is, being one of the cheaper possibilities.

Not fixing myself, need to have them do it.
 
As it currently sits, while running I can shift into all gears, but get no power to the wheels.

It really sounds more like an issue with the transfer case than the transmission.. unless you have some serious issues with the transmission. If it were clutch, you would not be able to shift with the Jeep running...

You should check to be certain that the transfer case shifter is connected and adjusted properly...
 
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the way he described it, it sounds like something came loose in the trans. why would the clutch cause 4th gear to work but not 5th ? it's either something came loose in the trans or possibly the transfer case. if it was the clutch you couldn't get it in gear or if the disc was completely shot it wouldn't of gone in any gear and downshifting would of just done nothing.
 
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It’s more likely transfer case related. Maybe the range fork is no longer properly keeping the collar engaged for 2wd and has moved to neutral.

A transmission isn’t going to lose all its gears at once unless the shifter sheared off. A clutch going bad and not allowing proper engagement to drive the vehicle in any gear is possible but unlikely. The transfer case is the common denominator for losing all power and is most likely the problem.
 
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Thanks for all the responses so far! I'm not able to check anything myself as the Jeep is 4 hours away, but this is all great to consider and keep in mind when talking with the shop.
 
I was driving home from VA to PA and somewhere in Maryland I felt the car jump a little while in 5th, gave it gas and got nothing, revs but no response. So I downshifted and kept moving in 4th, trying to get it back into 5th but it wouldn’t grab.

When I finally reached a red light, once I put it in 1st to take off again, I got nothing, shifter moves to all gears but Jeep won't move.

Got it pushed to the side and towed to a local shop.

As it currently sits, while running I can shift into all gears, but get no power to the wheels. It just revs as though I was in neutral. This is in 2H, 4H and 4L.

I can’t really hear anything that sounds broken or rattly, but then again the loud-ish exhaust the PO put on along with my cracked header make it harder to hear stuff, unfortunately. Clutch still feels like it has pressure.

If it matters, for the last two or so weeks, 4th has been harder to get into, having to sort of hunt for it and lay on it to get it to take, especially on a downshift. And I noticed it being worst on that drive before this all happened.

These details point to a likely issue?

Current lyrics having the same issue what was the issue with yours
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts