gears slip when turning left, 2000 JGC, help!

When making a left turn, the vehicle does fine until you get at the arc of the turn, then when you start to turn the wheel back the gears slip for 4-5 seconds, then pop back into gear. Have taken it to several places and they claim they cannot find the problem.
Please help, I fear that if this is not corrected it may cause worse damage.
It only happens with a LEFT turn.

I do not understand what you mean by the gears slip, the steering gear box? or transmission?

I do not understand what you mean by the gears slip, the steering gear box? or transmission?
For instance, when I stop at a stoplight, then turn left, during the turn the jeep slips out of gear and revs up to around 2500rpm or so, then goes back into gear. If you look at the gearshift it stays in drive. I keep the jeep in 2 wheel drive.
It only does this with a left turn. And EVERY left turn.

well thats wierd never heard of that, have you checked the fluid level in the tranny?

Check your transmission fluid level.

Vehicle should be at operating temperature, on level ground, engine running, transmission in neutral and park brake on.

Make sure that the fluid level is at the full mark with the transmission hot, not over full and not below. Also check the smell and color of the fluid. Should be red in color and not smell burnt. compare the smell and color to some new ATF right out of the bottle.

JD

Check your transmission fluid level.

Vehicle should be at operating temperature, on level ground, engine running, transmission in neutral and park brake on.

Make sure that the fluid level is at the full mark with the transmission hot, not over full and not below. Also check the smell and color of the fluid. Should be red in color and not smell burnt. compare the smell and color to some new ATF right out of the bottle.

JD
I had checked it before with the engine warm, but not running. I will try as you say and get back to you. If it is low, must you use the exact type of fluid in the manual? Or are all pretty much the same?

make sure to use the exact, u can use aftermarket brands ATF+4, but I recommend using the MOPAR ATF+4

make sure to use the exact, u can use aftermarket brands ATF+4, but I recommend using the MOPAR ATF+4
The owners manual for the 95 will probably call for Mopar ATF+ . The newer Mopar spec is for ATF+3. I would just use it. The ATF+4 is way more expensive and adding the little to bring it up to full probably won't give much benefit.

If the transmission fluid is being changed, then ATF+4 would be good and a synthetic like the amsoil product or Mobil 1 ATF would be even better.

JD

EDIT-- several Mopar transmissions REQUIRE the ATF+3 or +4 and it is claimed that if Dextron or Mercon ATF is used, it can cause slip and shift problems. Some of the experiences posted on this board seem to support this claim.

JD

I was under the impression that all the WJ models were required to use ATF+4.

oops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry didn't remember the thread heading -- Some how I was thinking "95" -- my BAD!!!!

Thanks for the wakeup dk

JD

no problem, thats why I'm hear...lol

I checked with everything just as you said, and the level was barely up to the first hole in the stick! How could it have been that low? It's parked on a cement garage and no leaks are noted. Anyway, I got the Mopar +4 and we put enough for it to be between the "hot" holes. Am I correct? I test drove it and of course no slips! But I am concerned where the fluid loss is coming from.

mopar ATF+4 is the only transmission fluid you should use on a WJ. it is the preferred top off for the 99-01 WJ(which come with ATF+3) there are no "aftermarket" ATF+3/4 fluids that are anywhere near the spec of the spec of chrysler fluid. they are just dexron with some cheap additives. ZJ's use ATF+3. i still have no idea why people insist on using aftermarket fluids that are sometimes just as much as the OEM fluid (mobil/amsoil)

I knew the ATF+4 applications - I just had a brainf@rt and forgot the year and model in the thread heading.

I know that there are no ATF+4 equivalents in aftermarket products. That said, I see ATF+3 products from Quakerstate and others on the shelves at hardware stores and Walmart all the time....They must have to meet some (minimum) spec to label it as such. Knowing auto manufactures, thats probably all Chrysler meets too.

I was looking at the Mobil 1 ATF today and nothing was written on the label about Chrysler compatability. I did see that the Amsoil ATF on the next shelf claimed complete Chryser compatibility as well as for dextron and mercon replacement.

The Mobil 1 ATF was $7.99 per liter and the Amsoil ATF was $11.99 a liter.

I've only used the ATF+3 at about $5/liter from NAPA so I'm not sure what the cost of the MOPAR +3 or +4 is from Chrysler..- I probably should have used the +4 when I serviced the trany last time.

anyone bought some ATF+4 recently??? How much????

JD

the only fluid that actually meets ATF+3/4 is the oem chrysler fluid... it's proprietary. it's not just a standard or benchmark... the crysler fluid is the way it is to work with all the seals in the tranny and provide the correct amount of friction for the torque converter etc.

I've spent the last couple of hours looking at various websites for info on this ATF
There is a lot of info and of course, opinions floating around out there on ATF+3 and +4. From what I've found, the +3 is being made by various companies and approved by chrysler as an equivelent.

Some companies are claiming to turn Dextron or Mercon type ATF's into +3/4 with an additive in a bottle. I don't think I want to trust that myself but some say it has worked for them. Kendall oil has a warning about this on their ATF+3 web page here.

http://www.kendallmotoroil.com/NR/rdonlyres/A105BD6E-95FB-412A-8F64-9583E49812AD/0/K_ATF_PLUS3.PDF

The +4 is the one that is propriatary and any that are claiming compatibility with it are doing it on their own.

The mobil 1 ATF site says that it is NOT recommended for use with any Chrylsler type 7176 fluids which include both +3 and +4.

The Mobil Mercon V product sheet at

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/NAUSENPVLMOMobil_Mercon_V_Synthetic_Blend_ATF.asp

says in the text that it is suitable for use where +3 and +4 are recommended but the Specs and Approvals section does not list chryser applications.

There is a lot of discussion in several threads on this forum over ATF+3/4 too.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum;f=16

I did a quick look thru the threads posted for the last 100 days and found 8 discussions on various aspects of these ATF's with many opinions on both sides of which ATF to choose and why.

I do know that the additives in the ATF definitly affect the seals and the frictional qualities in the clutches and the viscosity is important to the shift quality and to protect the bearings.

So - My conclusions on this so far are:

1. Other companies like Quakerstate and Kendall are making and selling transmission fluid labeled "ATF+3"

2. Aftermarket ATF+3 may or may not be as good as the oem +3 but it must meet an minimum spec and be approved to be labeled +3.

3. There are no approved aftermarket +4 ATF's available.

4. There are some that are "suitable" for +4 applications though not approved.

5. I will be using an ATF+3 at a minimum and probably the Chrysler ATF+4 when I do a tranny oil change next time.

6, I will still use a synthetic ATF in the 249 transfer case and synthetic GL-5 gear oil in the diffs.

JD

Also, NAPA sells the friction modifier additive for Chrysler trannies.

I never heard of the Friction Modifier for the tranny, but for the Trac Lock (limited slip) rear diff.

it's the cheap additive to make non-spec fluids work more like the real fluid, just buy the right fluid. or don't and maybe a $1000 rebuild might convince you?

at $18 a bottle it's far from a cheap additive. I used it in addition to my vehicle specific fluid. Some of us actually wheel our Grands and need the extra friction....