I have a 1994 Grand Cherokee Laredo V8/5.2 that I bought in July 2005. It is a re-VIN'd vehicle, so I haven't been able to pull up a history on it. It is a very clean, well optioned low mileage (now at @ 67,200) Jeep, and I love it. It DOES have its problems, though.
When I got it, there was a glitch in the shift between 2nd and 3rd gear. It doesn't like that shift too well, the rpms increase but it doesn't shift and if you let off the gas and let it shift you can put your foot back on the gas and all is well. This hasn't bothered me since I've had some crazy cars in my time. What DOES bother me is that every here and there it doesn't shift - when I put my foot back on the gas it seems like the tranny has almost disengaged - lots of revving and no shifting. I can manually shift it into 2nd to keep going but at that point it really needs to be in 3rd. I've tried moving the shift lever through the gears when I get to a light, had the engine off for a few minutes while I stop for gas - once it starts it's tough to snap it back to "normal". Fortunately, the last two major occurances I have been heading home, and the Jeep is fine in the morning. A friend thinks it might be a sticking servo, but I haven't gotten any other advice.
Anybody have any ideas? Is it the tranny itself or a repairable component? I read a previous post about replacing the battery but I don't know if that would apply here.
I'll also mention I've had some coolant leaks. A few weeks ago it was hose clamp tightening and this week was the timing cover gasket. When I had the clamps tightened it was suggested that the improper shifting was building pressure and causing the leak, but I'm not sure I buy it. During the big repair this week, no mention was made of pressure buildup.
I'd hate to have to bail out of this Jeep 'cause it is SO nice, but I can't afford a tranny and can't deal with too many problems over and over. Any ideas? Thanks...