AUTO TRANS Help Needed - Starts in 2nd when in "D"

[Stoeger]

HELP! I've been doing a lot of research and getting a lot of different advice, so I've come back to you guys - the EXPERTS!

When I put trans into "D" it starts off in 2nd gear, not 1st. 1st gear, however, does work great, as long as I drop it to "1", then upshift once I accelerate.

Some advice I've been told:

1) Some electronic module isn't telling the trans to go to 1st.
-- what might that module be? A secondary ECU? The ECU itself?

2) Control Module.
-- same as above? or different module? how many modules are there?

3) Clogged tranny filter.
-- Think that might work?

4) Vacuum Line to Modulator Valve.
-- Does this (1998) have vac lines that go to it? I also heard they were all electronic... are they?

5) Valves or bands.
-- But someone else said that since it WILL go into 1st solidly, then it's not valves or bands... is that true?


I've adjusted the kickdown linkage - no success.
Added Lucas trans conditioner - no luck either.
Tranny fluid level is correct and clean

Can anyone tell me anything about how this trans works to narrow down or rule out any of the above suggestions? ANY advice will be helpful!!!

98 TJ, 4 cyl, AUTO TRANS, 92 K

[Chris_L]

Not much help here, but I can say there are no vac lines with this tranny. PM mrblaine. He may have a better answer for you.

[Dukes69]

It is my understanding that these are not electronic trannys. I would do a fluid and filter change, first off. To me, it sounds like a kickdown problem. But you've already adjusted that. You valve body, which controls the "auto" part of the tranny, could be screweds up. Start with a fluid and filter change and go from there.