AW4 Questions

R Q

R Q

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2005
Location
Charlotte
My son's '91 XJ has 4.0 with the AW4. It has lapses in the time that it is "in gear" lol. You can put it in gear and go but when you stop to maneuver around or put it in reverse it will be "out of gear" for a few moments and then it'll be okay. So he got a used trans he was going to install but found dirt inside and is leery of swapping it in. So he is tossing around the idea of trying to rebuild it himself. He is in CPCC for automotive and just finished the Auto trans class so is familiar with internals somewhat and may be able to get some help from there and/or some guys that he works with.
SO one guy he works with worked at a shop and told him there is a Chrysler version and a Toyota version of this trans? and that the Toyota version is better? I've never heard anything like that but figured I would throw it out here for feedback.
Also how hard is this trans to rebuild?
So your input is appreciated...
 
The AW4 is tough, but I've heard they're even tougher to rebuild properly. I am having issues with one also, and would be curious of other opinions. I'll be watching this thread.
 
It's a pretty complex unit compared to say a 4l60e.. that being said, I have the atsg rebuild guide if you need it, as well as FSM. It's possibly dirty valve body but probably also has worn seals. So drive to reverse engagement is over 1.5 seconds? But park to drive is quick? Add a pint of brake fluid to the transmission and see if it improves. Old school trick to swell the seals. Takes a little bit to work in and swell them up. I'm assuming fluid level is good. Oh and the rebuild kit is about 3x that for a 4l60e.

On the other trans, Clean the dirt out, cut open the filter. If it's dirty, don't install. If it's clean, rock on.
 
a_kelley said:
So drive to reverse engagement is over 1.5 seconds? But park to drive is quick? Add a pint of brake fluid to the transmission and see if it improves. Old school trick to swell the seals. Takes a little bit to work in and swell them up. I'm assuming fluid level is good. Oh and the rebuild kit is about 3x that for a 4l60e.

On the other trans, Clean the dirt out, cut open the filter. If it's dirty, don't install. If it's clean, rock on.
Click to expand...
Yes those symptoms exactly. We will try the brake fluid and also will check the other. Thanks.
 
R Q said:
Yes those symptoms exactly. We will try the brake fluid and also will check the other. Thanks.
Click to expand...
The brake fluid trick works. Mine did exactly that and dot3 solved it permanently... At least until it blew a cooler line and dumped it's full fill.. twice.. then it was done, with welded packs. But worked awesome up until it fluid starved. Was worse cold than when it was warmed up in my case. Like minutes to engage cold, bounce off rev limiter like it was in neutral because the pack wasn't applied.
 
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