Got transmission in and now it wont engage.

[surfhick04]

Hey guys, I have a TF999 and i got a replacement and got it in. At first it wouldnt start, sounded like the starter wasnt meshing with the teeth of the flywheel. So I re-aligned it and got it started sounds great. Then I put the Transfer Case in 2 high and ran the Transmission through all the gears. Nothing....It wouldnt engage at all. Tried to see if I could move it in gear and the jeep easily rolled forward and backward. What did I do wrong? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[3QuarterTon CJ]

Is it full of ATF+3 fluid? Is the filter attached to the valve body? (don't laugh at that, I had a friend that replaced a Transmission in his Ford because he forgot to put a filter back in it while doing a Transmission service lol)

If it has a filter and is full of the correct fluid, I'd remove a cooler line to check for fluid pressure. There is also pressure test ports on the Transfer Case for these tests too.

When you installed the Transmission , was the converter completely "seated" into the Transmission ? If not the hub of the converter will not engage properly with the front pump, thus the pump will not produce the pressure required to move the Jeep.

Another stupid question for ya, is the shift linkage hooked up right/at all?

 

[surfhick04]

Yeah Im pretty sure the torque converter was seater properly. It was in there as far as it could go. It clicked in like 3 times I think. The shift linkage is hooked up, but it seemed like it was not right. It wouldnt allow me to shift into park. It was as if the linkage was to long. I couldnt shorten the linkage any more though. So I'll get up under there and remove the linkage and try to manually shift it I guess.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Another "shouldnt have to ask" question... did you bolt the converter to the flywheel? Disconnect the line from the cooler and start it. IF alot of pressurized fluid come out then the converter is engaging the pump. If not you may have another issue in the Transmission . I would double check fluid and such. also are you sure the Transfer Case is in 2 hi? I would drop it into another gear like 4 high or low and see if any thing happens.

Where did you get the Transmission from? if its a used Transmission you may have got a turd.

 

[surfhick04]

Yes, I definitely bolted the TC to the flywheel. My confusion is really coming from the fact that I can roll my jeep forward and backward while it is supposedly in gear. I have tried 2hi 4hi and 4low and all gears. It just seems like there is a missing connection. How can a vehicle move forward and backward when in gear? I really dont want to have to spend a ton of money at a shop, but I'm near my breaking point. Anyone live in the area who would want to help me out before I take it into a shop? And thanks for the help. Ill let you guys know if I can figure anything out.

 

[Petescj]

Did you try to manually shift it by hand yet? Sounds like a linkage problem to me. If that cable was to long it may just be flexing and not actually shifting the Transmission itself.

 

[surfhick04]

I have not yet. I have 3 exams I am studying for at the moment, so I am hoping to be able to get up under the jeep at some point this weekend and try the manual shifting. Its really hard trying to rebuild a jeep, go to school full time, and work full time. I really hope its something as simple as the linkage. I have already put nearly 3500 into this jeep that I thought I was going to be able to get away with for under 2000. And I still havent even lifted it or put the wheels I want on it. Turned out the PO just didnt take care of it and I inherited all of the lovely problems.

 

[Old Dog]

Have you rechecked your fluid level since you've had it running? it will take more than the book calls for to refill the converter and the Transmission .
You can still push your jeep because if for somereason the Transmission isn't engaging the clutches inside, it's the same as being in netural.

 

[surfhick04]

Yes, I have been checking the fluid each time before and after I start it. Thanks for the explanation on why it was moving, that makes more sense to me now. Im still hoping for a linkage problem and really dont want to deal with a pump or torque converter problem. I had a hard enough time getting it out and back in once...dont particularly want to do it again....

 

[Petescj]

We also have to make sure your Transfer Case is engaging as well. You may be going thru all the gears of the Transmission but if your Transfer Case is in neutral its all for nothing.

What kind of linkage do you have for the Transmission ? Stock? Or is it a cable operated floor shifter?

Study for your exams and put your best foot forward. I usually dont say this but the Jeep can wait.

 

[surfhick04]

Its a floor shifter. The Transfer Case shouldnt be a problem. It was working just fine before I pulled the Transmission and I went ahead and changed the fluids in it and nothing seemed out of place. As for the school, yeah I am pushing to finish my finance degree up. I have managed straight A's while working and doing all the other stuff I have to, like fix my other car fix the gfs car work on the jeep and rebuild a boat. Its hard sometimes to put aside the things you want to be doing like working on the jeep, and focus on what I know will get me where I want to be. So hopefully I do well on these exams and then I can get some time in on the weekend. Ill put up some pictures of the linkage and everything if I cant get it to work. Thanks so much for all the advice.

 

[Petescj]

Its hard sometimes to put aside the things you want to be doing like working on the jeep, and focus on what I know will get me where I want to be. So hopefully I do well on these exams and then I can get some time in on the weekend. Ill put up some pictures of the linkage and everything if I cant get it to work. Thanks so much for all the advice.

IT SURE IS! Trust me though please keep up your good work! Study and send some pics of the linkage after your done.

 

[surfhick04]

Well I finally got everything finished up and the jeeps driving great. Took it out for its first time offroad and had a good day. I ended up breaking down and taking it into a Transmission shop, but they gave me a good deal and I now have an 18 month 18,000 mile warranty. Next step is a new top and some doors for it, so Ill post some pictures once I get that far. Thanks again for all the help everyone.

 

[Cj5dave]

So what was the problem?

 

[csuengr]

This is probably too late, but, when the ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING and an auto Transmission is in any position other then park, the vehicle can be pushed around. It takes the engine running to operate the Transmission pump and engage the gears.