Difficulty with 32RH auto transmission shifting into third gear

[Biskthead]

My 1999 4.0 Sahara 32RH has difficulty shifting into third gear. It shifts from 1st to 2nd with no problems, but it often delays shifting. I did have it regeared from 3.07 to 4.10 (and it may not have anything to do with it, just adding more info), but I was starting to have trouble shifting. It used to shift from 2nd to 3rd around 2700 RPMs, but lately it is not shifting until after 4000 much of the time. It usually has this problem for a little while just after starting up. After it gets used to shifting into third, I typically don't have any issues until I turn the motor off and after after a few minutes, start it up again to get back on the road. Then it delays shifting into third again.

The transmission fluid was changed last year and it appears to be good. TPS (Mopar 4874371AC) was changed about early last year.

Any ideas what I need to check, or does the transmission possibly needs replacement?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Try disconnecting the TV (kickdown) cable from the throttle body's throttle lever (it snaps onto a ball on the lever) and go drive it. If it starts shifting into 3rd gear normally someone has just adjusted the TV cable so it's too short and pulling on the TV valve in the transmission harder than it should be. The TV cable is what downshifts the transmission into 2nd gear when you step hard on the gas pedal.

 

[Biskthead]

Try disconnecting the TV (kickdown) cable from the throttle body's throttle lever (it snaps onto a ball on the lever) and go drive it. If it starts shifting into 3rd gear normally someone has just adjusted the TV cable so it's too short and pulling on the TV valve in the transmission harder than it should be. The TV cable is what downshifts the transmission into 2nd gear when you step hard on the gas pedal.

Thank you, Jerry. It took me a couple of tries, but I was able to adjust it. I'm sure I'll be adjust it a little more over the next couple of days.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Thank you, Jerry. It took me a couple of tries, but I was able to adjust it. I'm sure I'll be adjust it a little more over the next couple of days.

So was that the fix and it now shifts into 3rd gear like it should? The proper length adjustment on that cable is so there is no slack in the cable but it isn't being pulled on at all when you're not stepping on the gas. At idle rpms the cable should just have no slack in it but it should not be being pulled on at all.

 

[Biskthead]

So was that the fix and it now shifts into 3rd gear like it should? The proper length adjustment on that cable is so there is no slack in the cable but it isn't being pulled on at all when you're not stepping on the gas. At idle rpms the cable should just have no slack in it but it should not be being pulled on at all.

Yes. After your tip of where to look, I found a video that showed me what I needed to do. . After a couple of tries, I got it to shift into third at about 3000 RPMs now.

 

[Michelle Sweeney]

Try disconnecting the TV (kickdown) cable from the throttle body's throttle lever (it snaps onto a ball on the lever) and go drive it. If it starts shifting into 3rd gear normally someone has just adjusted the TV cable so it's too short and pulling on the TV valve in the transmission harder than it should be. The TV cable is what downshifts the transmission into 2nd gear when you step hard on the gas pedal.

You mean drive it with the TV disconnected?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

You mean drive it with the TV disconnected?

Yes just temporarily for a test drive.

 

[Lantzmann]

I know I’m kind of late to the party, but I’m having kind of the same problem. If I’m just being easy on the throttle it shifts into 3rd smooth but if I get on it at all I have to let off the throttle to get it to up shift like I’m driving a manual could this be my problem also?

 

[cmdrriker359]

I know I’m kind of late to the party, but I’m having kind of the same problem. If I’m just being easy on the throttle it shifts into 3rd smooth but if I get on it at all I have to let off the throttle to get it to up shift like I’m driving a manual could this be my problem also?

I am having the same issue from time to time thinking about valve body issue let us know what you find

 

[ATSPSLLC]

Yes just temporarily for a test drive.

Hi Jerry, We are experiencing this same issue after a full rebuild. We have disconnected the TV cable and it still does not want to shift into 3rd. We have changed the governor as well, because the original one was twisted and broken by the shaft. It apparently had the wrong transfer case behind the transmission. We are at a loss and looking for any advice that leads to fixing this.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Hi Jerry, We are experiencing this same issue after a full rebuild. We have disconnected the TV cable and it still does not want to shift into 3rd. We have changed the governor as well, because the original one was twisted and broken by the shaft. It apparently had the wrong transfer case behind the transmission. We are at a loss and looking for any advice that leads to fixing this.

I wish I could help you on that but that's just not a 32RH problem I've ever seen or had to deal with. My 32RH experience is very limited, ATF levels & flushes, output shaft seals, and TV cable adjustments are it for me lol. Good luck with it and if you think about it, it'd be great to see a post here on what fixed it .

 

[ATSPSLLC]

I wish I could help you on that but that's just not a 32RH problem I've ever seen or had to deal with. My 32RH experience is very limited, ATF levels & flushes, output shaft seals, and TV cable adjustments are it for me lol. Good luck with it and if you think about it, it'd be great to see a post here on what fixed it .

lol Fair enough! I will definitely update the post if we are successful. Thank you.