Transmission Question Please

[Wayne]

Hello everyone:
I posted awhile back on my SR4 transmission issues. I had to put the issue on the back burner and now it is time to re-focus on the problem.
Gotta question please and excuse my ignorance.

When the engine is off the clutch feels normal and I can select all the gears.
When the engine is running - the clutch is still fine but I cannot select a great.
Why would this be?

Tried Googling the problem with no luck. If the vehicle was newer I would think it was an electric/ solenoid issue - but obviously it’s not.

Cheers.

 

[AJ2393]

I'd recommend first making sure that your throw out bearing is actually fully pressing on the clutch pack when you depress the clutch pedal. I'm pretty sure the SR4 is a mechanical clutch linkage (clutch pedal rod to bell crank with an adjuster rod on the engine side of bell crank). There should be a dust boot (seal) on the bellhousing you can peel back and look up inside with a flashlight as someone pushes down the clutch pedal (with the Jeep off!!). If you clutch is out of adjustment, this can cause the issues you describe. Moving the adjuster out (making it longer) shortens the distance between the throw out bearing and the clutch pack. If your currently too far away for full depression on the clutch pack you need to extend the adjuster. Just be careful not to extend too far, there should be a gap between the throw out bearing and clutch pack when the clutch pedal is at rest. Again, all this inspection and adjustment should be done with the Jeep off and parking brake on so you don't get run over unexpectedly. Doing this with the engine running would be very unwise.

Also verify that you bell crank is properly mounted and operates freely when depressing the pedal. I've seen people with lift kits hack these things up and they bind or break the mounting bolts (either on the tub or the bellhousing).

 

[Wayne]

I'd recommend first making sure that your throw out bearing is actually fully pressing on the clutch pack when you depress the clutch pedal. I'm pretty sure the SR4 is a mechanical clutch linkage (clutch pedal rod to bell crank with an adjuster rod on the engine side of bell crank). There should be a dust boot (seal) on the bellhousing you can peel back and look up inside with a flashlight as someone pushes down the clutch pedal (with the Jeep off!!). If you clutch is out of adjustment, this can cause the issues you describe. Moving the adjuster out (making it longer) shortens the distance between the throw out bearing and the clutch pack. If your currently too far away for full depression on the clutch pack you need to extend the adjuster. Just be careful not to extend too far, there should be a gap between the throw out bearing and clutch pack when the clutch pedal is at rest. Again, all this inspection and adjustment should be done with the Jeep off and parking brake on so you don't get run over unexpectedly. Doing this with the engine running would be very unwise.

Also verify that you bell crank is properly mounted and operates freely when depressing the pedal. I've seen people with lift kits hack these things up and they bind or break the mounting bolts (either on the tub or the bellhousing).

View attachment 119687

Thank you very very much.
Would you know what would tell the transmission not to go into gear when the engine is running - but go into gear when the engine is off?
Make it a great day.
Wayne.

 

[AJ2393]

Thank you very very much.
Would you know what would tell the transmission not to go into gear when the engine is running - but go into gear when the engine is off?
Make it a great day.
Wayne.

Wayne,
I am no expert, so other can chime in too.

I do not believe there is anything that would "tell" the transmission not to go in gear. Everything is essentially mechanical. Usually what you are feeling is that you can't force the transmission into gear because you can't overcome the rotational force of the flywheel from the engine. When the engine is on, it's turning that flywheel. When you engage the clutch it essentially momentarily negates the rotational force transferred to the transmission which allows you to put the transmission in gear. It also explains why you can put it into gear with the engine off.

The throw-out bearing adjustment is the easy check. You may need a new clutch, but the only way to tell that would be to pull the transmission. I outlined the easy check to start with.

Again, other feel free to chime in.

 

[Wayne]

You make sense - thank you for your time and the education.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
Wayne..