My 1989 Jeep with AW4 transmission does not downshift or ?

It is quite likely to be a failed shift solenoid, causing inability to find low gears. There should be a trouble code stored, causing the O/D lamp to blink.

have you tried starting in low and shift manually? aw4 transmission , is that all the time 4x4

A 1955 Ford would have a Ford-o-matic transmission which has three speeds forward. The transmission starts out in second gear unless you shift into low.
I am not aware of these transmissions having a neutral safety switch.
The 3 speed automatic transmissions that started in low and had a downshift to second under load were first used in the mid 1960s.

Do you mean upshifting starts way early? Going from 2nd to 3rd in other words?
Ireally don't know your transmission,but the alternator problem might've possibly spiked and hurt your shifting solenoids in the ******. don-ohio (:^)

check the tps(throttle position sensor) if its going bad it will mimic trans problem,if this doesnt fix the problem then check the shifter linkage and adjustment right under the shifter by the transmission.

This may sound crazy to you. Check the fuse that controls the speedometer, cruise control and interior dome light. My 93 f150 battery was going dead every night. One morning I noticed the dome light inside was still on. I couldn't get it to go off so I pulled the fuse that is under the dash on the driver side. Light went out and so did speedometer. When I drove it later that day it wouldn't shift from low until I let off the gas. Then it would shift around between gears for no apparent reason. It took me a day of two to put 2 and 2 together. When I put the fuse back in, the speedometer started working and it started shifting normally. I finally took the bulb out of the dome light and now all is well.On the 93 f150 the speedometer is electronically linked to the transmission shifting points. You may have other fuses that are linked to your transmission.

Your transmission apparently is not downshifting properly. From your description, it sounds as though it is in 2nd or 3rd gear, which is why it is slow to accelerate. When you shift into 1st, it is starting off in 1st gear as it should. You probably should have a transmission shop check it out. Check engine light on?

have you tried a rolling shift? leave trans in drive and try moving 4x4 lever. it works on mine!

discovered a service bulletin on my Jeep on "Alldata.com", which indicated "A/T - Throttle Position Sensor".I don't subscribe to the site, so I could only see this header. I thendid a search on Throttle Position Sensor and found a number of sitesthat described numerous transmission problems attributed to this sensor.I tookthe Jeep to a Chrysler dealer near me, and purchased the part for$69.00. I installed it myself, and the Jeep shifts beautifully, betterthan when I bought it.

A. The TSB you are refering to is number ATRATB324A, dated 1/1/1996 witrh the subject "A/T - AW4 Throttle Position Sensor (TP)".
TheTransmission Control Unit does, indeed, use an input, among others,from the TPS to determine shift times. So if there is a problem withthe TPS, it will effect transmission shifting. In fact, it is not allthat uncommon to see a TPS cause a transmission problem.


If the transmission works fine after the TPS is replaced then I would only recommend thata routine flush be done to it and perhaps treat it to a new filter.

http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl070g.htm

you may have damaged the overdrive gear, a local transmission shop would be your best bet. for good troubleshoting and estimate.