WHY DOES MY 2003 JEEP WRANGLER 4.2 ENGINE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CUT OUT RIGHT BEFORE IT SHIFTS GEARS

which engine the 3.6? v6?
that shudder is called MISFIRE.
get a tune up yet, even $1.49 spark plugs?
no its not the trans,
if it dont slip, its not trans, (see RPM races? that is slip or too low gear)
if it shifting to the right gears, its not the trans can you count them?
is the CEL lamp glowing or flashing driving, is yes, that means
scan me now. in fact scanning while it shudders, is like (magic)
why start guessing, do a tuneup,
then scan it.
if its is misfire the PCM will tell you what cylinder misfires.

are your spark plugs 6 years old, if yes, why?
going for 200k miles on them.?

double posted, backup one post (your's) and see long post.
and full fsm pages.
to ask any transmission question, tell which one you have of the 4.
we can not guess this we are blind
even a photo of the tranny shifter helps.
or tell how many gears.
or photo of right side of trans.
is it an AUTOMATIC, if yes, is it 3 speed or 4.?

Depends on your engine.

1980 JEEP CJ-7 2.5L 4-cyl Engine Code [B]
CAPACITIES
Engine, GM without filter..........2.4 quarts[1]
Wix Filter ........ 51040
Cooling System, Initial Fill..........8.0 quarts
Automatic Transmission, A904, 30RH Initial Fill..........4.0 quarts[2]
Automatic Transmission, A999, 32RH Initial Fill..........4.0 quarts[2]
Automatic Transmission, Total Fill
3 speed A999, 32RH..........8.4 quarts
3 speed A904, 30RH..........7.0 quarts
Manual Transmission, 4-SPD, SR-4..........3.0 pints
Manual Transmission, 4-SPD, T176..........3.6 pints
Differential, Front..........2.5 pints[3]
Differential, Rear..........4.9 pints
Transfer Case,..........4.0 pints

1. Add extra oil when replacing filter. After refill check oil level.
2. With engine automatic transmission operating temperature, shift through all gears.
Check fluid level in NEUTRAL and add fluid as needed.
3. 1984-1992 Models with command-Track, add 5 oz of 75W-90 GL-5 to shift motor housing opening.

TORQUES
Oil Drain Plug.....25 ft-lbs
Manual Transmission T176
Fill Plug.....15 ft-lbs
Drain Plug.....15 ft-lbs
Manual Transmission SR4
Fill Plug.....20 ft-lbs

1980 JEEP CJ-7 4.2L 6-cyl Engine Code [C]
CAPACITIES
Engine, without filter..........5.0 quarts[1]
Wix Filter..... 51522
Cooling System, Initial Fill..........11.0 quarts
Automatic Transmission, A904, 30RH Initial Fill..........4.0 quarts[2]
Automatic Transmission, A999, 32RH Initial Fill..........4.0 quarts[2]
Automatic Transmission, Total Fill
3 speed A999, 32RH..........8.4 quarts
3 speed A904, 30RH..........7.0 quarts
Manual Transmission, 4-SPD, SR-4..........3.0 pints
Manual Transmission, 4-SPD, T176..........3.6 pints
Differential, Front..........2.5 pints[3]
Differential, Rear..........4.9 pints
Transfer Case,..........4.0 pints

1. Add extra oil when replacing filter. After refill check oil level.
2. With engine automatic transmission operating temperature, shift through all gears.
Check fluid level in NEUTRAL and add fluid as needed.
3. 1984-1992 Models with command-Track, add 5 oz of 75W-90 GL-5 to shift motor housing opening.

TORQUES
Oil Drain Plug.....30 ft-lbs
Manual Transmission T176
Fill Plug.....15 ft-lbs
Drain Plug.....15 ft-lbs
Manual Transmission SR4
Fill Plug.....20 ft-lbs

1980 JEEP CJ-7 5.0L 8-cyl Engine Code [H]
CAPACITIES
Engine, without filter..........4.0 quarts[1]
Wix Filter..... 51258
Cooling System, Initial Fill..........13.0 quarts
Automatic Transmission, A999, 32RH Initial Fill..........4.0 quarts[2]
Automatic Transmission, A904, 30RH Initial Fill..........4.0 quarts[2]
Automatic Transmission, Total Fill
3 speed A904, 30RH..........7.0 quarts
3 speed A999, 32RH..........8.4 quarts
Manual Transmission, 4-SPD, SR-4..........3.0 pints
Manual Transmission, 4-SPD, T176..........3.6 pints
Differential, Front..........2.5 pints[3]
Differential, Rear..........4.9 pints
Transfer Case,..........4.0 pints

1. Add extra oil when replacing filter. After refill check oil level.
2. With engine automatic transmission operating temperature, shift through all gears.
Check fluid level in NEUTRAL and add fluid as needed.
3. 1984-1992 Models with command-Track, add 5 oz of 75W-90 GL-5 to shift motor housing opening.

TORQUES
Manual Transmission T176
Fill Plug.....15 ft-lbs
Drain Plug.....15 ft-lbs
Manual Transmission SR4
Fill Plug.....20 ft-lbs

Oilman

will it shift left ?

replace or check the TPS on the throttle body

see if that helps

if transmission was good when engine is off you should be able to go through the gears. can also be stuck in between gears which you can fix by replacing worn shifter.

There's an electrical solenoid that is causing this.It needs replacing.

Can't be certain from the description but the cut wires might well be vss (speed sensor). If so, this can cause several serious problems with your system as the vss is a major input for both engine and transmission control. The speed sensor mounts where the older models speedometer gear/cable would have been.

It could be lash in the differential which is normal, but it could also be a loose u-joint in the driveshaft. Check the rear driveshaft u-joints.

look under vehicle and make sure drive shaft going to back of truck is still there and connected. if it is there is a problem w/transfercase.