Description

Chrysler Grand Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer Technical Manual

You’ve got a 42RE that’s slipping in third, or maybe the governor pressure is bouncing all over the place. Without the right specs you’re burning billable hours and hoping parts don’t come back. I’ve been turning wrenches for 28 years, and I’ve seen too many guys trust a chilton page and then fight a no-shift condition for two days. This Chrysler Grand Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer Technical Manual is the ATSG factory document – the same one the dealer techs used in the 90s. It’s 106 pages of actual transmission data, not someone’s rewrite.

The index starts with diagnostic fault codes on page 6, then jumps straight into hydraulic and governor pressure tests on page 7. If you’ve ever tried to diagnose a 42RE without knowing the exact governor pressure curve, you know the waste of time. That section alone pays for the access. Page 8 maps the electronic governor components – the solenoid, the sensor, the body. Page 12 gives you the full wiring schematic. I don’t care how good you are with a multimeter: without the factory wire colors and pinouts you’re guessing. And guessing costs parts.

42RE Transmission: What This Technical Manual Covers

The table of contents goes deep. Transmission diagnosis charts start on page 15. Those charts are decision trees built from factory failure data. You follow the chart, you land on the right subassembly. From there you go to disassembly on page 30, subassemblies on page 38, checkball locations on page 59, and assembly starting page 67. The checkball page is critical – one ball in the wrong hole and you lose reverse or get a soft apply. Band adjustments are on page 73. I keep a copy of that page laminated on my box.

Overdrive section disassembly starts page 75, assembly page 82, selective measurements page 92. The selective measurements tell you which snap ring to pick for endplay. You skip that step and you’ll burn the overdrive clutch inside 5000 miles.

Why Factory Torque Data Matters

Torque specs are scattered through the assembly sections. The manual repeats critical values where they matter – converter housing bolts, valve body bolts, case bolts. You need the exact ft-lb for the pump bolts? It’s in the assembly procedure. I’ve had guys snap bolts because they used a generic value. That doesn’t happen when you work from the original publication. Page 98 lists all specifications in one place. Use it.

The recommended fluid is Mopar ATF Plus type 7176. The manual states that on page 5. Dexron II? Only in an emergency. You put the wrong fluid in a 42RE and the friction material glazes over. Then you’re pulling the unit again. The manual also covers the torque converter – three-element with an overrunning clutch and converter clutch plate. The converter clutch engages in 4th gear and in 3rd when the overdrive switch is off. Page 5 explains the engagement logic. That matters when you’re diagnosing a shudder.

Does It Cover the Full Rebuild Sequence?

Yes. From the oil pump and reaction shaft support assembly to the overdrive unit, piston retainer, overdrive clutch, rear clutch, front planetary gear set, and direct clutch spring. The exploded views in the manual show exact part relationships. If you’re rebuilding a 42RE for a Grand Cherokee or a Grand Wagoneer, this is the reference. The manual also includes oil flow charts on page 99. Those charts show which circuits are pressurized in each gear. If you’re chasing a no-move condition, start there.

For additional vehicle-level service data, check the Chrysler Grand Cherokee 45RFE Ram 1999 Service Manual – OEM Specs if you need the 45RFE variant. The Chrysler Grand Cherokee 1998 Parts Catalog – OEM Factory Specs gives you part numbers for seals and gaskets. And if you’re working on a different platform, the Chrysler Stealth 1991 Technical Manual – Factory OEM Service covers the 1991 models.

3 Reasons to Work from the OEM Scan

First, this is a direct scan of the ATSG factory manual. No typist introduced a error. The wiring schematic on page 12 is exactly how Chrysler drew it. Second, the diagnostic fault codes come from the actual transmission control module – not a third-party interpretation. Third, the hydraulic pressure test specs on page 7 are the same ones the dealer used to qualify a pump. You want governor pressure at 2000 engine rpm? It’s there. You need the line pressure at idle? It’s there.

Unlike a Manual Transmission, the 42RE uses electronic governor control. If you’re used to rebuilding manual boxes, the hydraulic circuits in this automatic will feel alien. The manual bridges that gap. It also explains the governor pressure solenoid and sensor operation. Another difference from a Manual Transmission is the reliance on checkballs and spring-loaded valves. Page 59’s checkball diagram is your map.

Torque Converter and Fluid Specifications

The three-element torque converter includes a stator overrunning clutch. The manual says to replace the torque converter as an assembly if you diagnose a malfunction. You don’t cut converters open in a shop – you swap them. But you need to know the correct converter length and bolt pattern. That data is in the specifications section. The recommended fluid, again, is Mopar ATF Plus type 7176. The transmission identification numbers are stamped on the left side of the case above the pan gasket. The manual shows you exactly where to find the assembly part number, build date, and serial number.

Who Needs This Manual on the Bench

If you’re a pro tech with a Grand Cherokee sitting on the lift, this saves you the trip to the dealer reference library. If you’re a home garage guy who bought a Grand Wagoneer with a slipping transmission, this manual gives you the rebuild road map. You don’t need a factory scan tool – the manual explains how to pull fault codes from the diagnostic connector (page 14). The connector location is illustrated. You can do diagnostic tests with a pressure gauge and a multimeter.

Beginners: read the transmission diagnosis charts first. They tell you what symptoms to look for and which test to run. Don’t skip the hydraulic pressure tests. I’ve seen guys throw a solenoid at a problem that turned out to be a worn pump. The manual’s procedure on page 7 forces you to confirm pump output before you touch the valve body.

How to Use the Overdrive Section Measurements

Selective measurements on page 92 are not optional. You measure the overdrive piston retainer depth, then select the correct snap ring. The manual gives you the acceptable range in thousandths of an inch. If you ignore that step, the overdrive clutch pack clearance will be wrong. Too tight and it burns up. Too loose and it slips under load. I’ve seen both failures. The manual’s assembly procedure on page 82 walks you through the stack-up. Follow it exactly.

Does this manual cover the 5.2L V8 and 4.0L I6?

The 42RE was used behind both engines in Grand Cherokee and Grand Wagoneer. The manual covers the transmission itself, not engine-specific adapters. Bellhousing bolt patterns and torque converter fitment are included.

Are there any aftermarket reprints in the PDF?

No. This is a direct scan of the original ATSG factory publication. The only difference is the source – you get the same pages the dealer had. No marks, no rewriting. 106 pages of factory documentation.

You’ve got a 42RE to rebuild. The factory documentation is on this page. Stop wasting time on generic forums or aftermarket books that skip the governor pressure data. Access the Factory Manual and get the exact torque specs, wiring, and diagnostic charts that Chrysler wrote.