Just purchased this Jeep with this problem. Trans was rebuilt 1500 miles ago, guy submerged it and got water in the fluid after rebuild. Fluid was flushed until clean and filter replaced. Some days it shifts fine but others it takes off in second. If I put it in first and then drive it takes off in first but is a real pain to remember. Transmission shop said it could be a sticky detent cable but when I adjust it, it always changes the way it shifts. If it was sticking seems it would not affect the shifting when adjusted. They said the most likely cause is the governor sticking. Googled it but can't find anything on the 32rh but tons on the 42. Did find a crudy parts diagram and looks like the governor is located on the tailshaft. Is it accessable by just pulling off the transfercase? Looks like just some c clips and a couple of pistons. Is it possible to just disassemble, hone, clean and reassemble?
32RH transmission taking off in second gear
- Thread starter 89sandman
- Start date
I wonder if it's possible that this could be related to the PCM. @Jerry Bransford, do you know if the 32RH has shift points that are controlled by the PCM (or maybe it's called a TCM in this case?)? I'm only asking since you did a 32RH swap, so I have to imagine you know more about these than most.
Since you mentioned it was submerged in water, it makes me wonder if it's possible that it's something electrical.
Since you mentioned it was submerged in water, it makes me wonder if it's possible that it's something electrical.
There is no transmission computer for the 32RH, it is controlled entirely by its own internal hydraulics. Depending on how long water is allowed to stay inside an automatic, it can either be salvaged by an IMMEDIATE flush with fresh ATF to get rid of all the ingested water or it could be toast if the water was allowed to stay long enough to dissolve glues that hold its clutches in place. Hard to say.
Make sure the transmission has enough of the right kind of ATF, which is only ATF+4, no other type of ATF is correct. And make sure the ATF level is up where it needs to be by checking the ATF level with the transmission's dipstick while the engine is RUNNING and while the transmission is in NEUTRAL. Its level cannot be checked without the engine running and shifter in Neutral.
Make sure the transmission has enough of the right kind of ATF, which is only ATF+4, no other type of ATF is correct. And make sure the ATF level is up where it needs to be by checking the ATF level with the transmission's dipstick while the engine is RUNNING and while the transmission is in NEUTRAL. Its level cannot be checked without the engine running and shifter in Neutral.
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It was trailered home after the ingestion and flushed with atf+4 until it was clean and the filter changed. Would like to get some info on the governor and try to clean it out first before I pull the whole thing and inspect the clutches. Just put new tires on it today, need to get the shifting fixed and a quieter exhaust which should be in on Wednesday and it's ready for the summer.
Just for anyone who also needs this info, yes the governor can be accessed by just pulling the transfercase. Internal parts for the governor are hard to find, the governor itself is easy to disassemble I used a hone that I use for wheel cylinders to hone it, cleaned it and replaced, is working fine now. I also decided to pull the whole transmission and disassemble it to check the clutches and make sure there were no other issues. None found and transmission shifts as it should now.
Nice job taking care of that governor issue. Those are great looking wheels by the way.
I'm sure many will benefit from your post, thank you. You must know a bit more about automatic transmissions than the average Joe, as I would never have even attempted what you did, or even known where to look...
Although I have the 42RLE, I still don't know much about it or how I would troubleshoot it if it gave me issues.
Again, thanks for the followup.
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