On cold starts the tranny in my 88 xj won't go unless you rev it. Drive is fine goes right away but reverse won't. Now if I drive it for mile or two in drive it will start to go right into reverse right away. Just when cools down if won't go again. I was playing the last weekend in the snow and I think I had to much fun [:@]


Also what would it take to put a 318 out of newer Grand cherokee? I'm talking motor, trans and transfer case.

 

It could be quite a few things. I would try having the tranny flushed and put a new filter in it. Sounds like you may have some sludge build up. The solenoid that controls the 1st/reverse shifting sounds like its actuating properly but with the thicker cold tranny fluid it may have trouble switching. You can find lots of info on the topic at NAXJA.org or at jeepforums.com. My 96 XJ has a slight hesitation when shifting into reverse but I dont even bother with it, to me its no big deal.

 

Problem went away with normal driving for about 2 weeks and hasn't done since.