XJ Problem shifting into/out of 4WD

[Washington_XJ]

Don't know how many of you have automatic XJ's, but this has been something thats haunted me ever since I purchased my cherokee. It seems as if I can shift into 4X4 part time mode at pretty much any time but during rough patches of trail or un-even ground the vehicle won't let me shift back to 2WD. The lever seems stuck. Has anybody else had this problem, and is there a certain sequence of gear shifts or something that you have to do in order to shift out of 4WD?

[AZXJ]

are you putting the transmission in Neutral before shifting out of 4Lo ?

[ob1jeeper]

Get the vehicle moving at a creep (less than 5 mph), then shift the trans to N, and push the T/Case lever forward until it shifts... Sometimes it helps to slowly steer left-to-right as you're moving, to get the case to shift smoothly.

Good Luck...:) ;)

[Washington_XJ]

Thanks. It deffinately seems to help if you get going about 10 or 15 feet, shift into park, then neutral and then the gear usually goes back to 2WD. Its annoying as hell on the trail however. Also the "part time" light lags, making it difficult to tell what the hell your in, anyone else noticed this?

[desertdawg]

Yeah I need to put my son's XJ in neutral before shifting the T-case to 2wd, and yes the light lags and also flickers off and on when it's in 4wd.

[ob1jeeper]

Thanks. It deffinately seems to help if you get going about 10 or 15 feet, shift into park, then neutral and then the gear usually goes back to 2WD. Its annoying as hell on the trail however. Also the "part time" light lags, making it difficult to tell what the hell your in, anyone else noticed this?

I hope you're not shifting to park while moving...:eek: Could break a bunch of stuff... (most likely the trans park pawl and/or worse... the trans case...)

This mode of shifting and operation is as intended, and normal. Once you get the hang of it, it will become second nature and not bothersome at all.

ALL geared devices require some sort of reduction to gear loading, to allow the gears to be shifted from one position to the next. In the case of a manual tranny set up, that is done manually through the use of a clutch. Automatics shift momentarily to N for you without your input.

With the exception of electronically shifted T/cases, there are very few which have shifting mechanisms, which allow you to move a switch or a lever, then forget about it. Even so, those cases do not ACTUALLY shift, UNTIL the gear loading is reduced sufficiently to allow the gears to move to the new position.

The light is controlled by nothing more than a grounding switch, that rides on the shift rail internal to the case, and is activated by a notch in that rail. It could be that the switch is sticky and going bad (not totally uncommon, and a simple fix if this is in fact the problem...),
- OR -
It could simply be that there is nothing wrong with the switch, and it is operating as designed and properly informing you that the shift did not complete, UNTIL the gear load reduced sufficiently to allow it to complete the shift.

Once you use it enough, and get used to the idiosyncrancies of your system, you won't need the light to tell you what's happening, as you will be able to feel it in the way the vehicle operates.:) ;)

[Washington_XJ]

Well I've noticed this problem (shifting in and out of 4WD) ever since I bought my XJ. Its an automatic which tend to be a bit more finicky then standard transmissions. Even on smooth level ground it takes a bit of messing around to get into/out of 4WD, not sure what this is due to. On the trail yesterday it was particularly difficult shifting out of 4WD. I must've stopped a dozen times in the period of 15 minutes along the flatest portions of the trail to try and shift out of 4WD, the lever felt stuck like it didn't want to go down. A couple times it felt like I was going to break it. I hopped under the jeep to take a look and the lever looked bent (I'll post a picture tomorrow) Not sure if this is normal?

Finally I was able to get it out of 4WD. Later than night I tested it on the street - seemed normal. Is this just some little gremlin that haunts some automatic jeeps when on rough ground?

[ob1jeeper]

Well I've noticed this problem (shifting in and out of 4WD) ever since I bought my XJ. Its an automatic which tend to be a bit more finicky then standard transmissions. Even on smooth level ground it takes a bit of messing around to get into/out of 4WD, not sure what this is due to. On the trail yesterday it was particularly difficult shifting out of 4WD. I must've stopped a dozen times in the period of 15 minutes along the flatest portions of the trail to try and shift out of 4WD, the lever felt stuck like it didn't want to go down. A couple times it felt like I was going to break it. I hopped under the jeep to take a look and the lever looked bent (I'll post a picture tomorrow) Not sure if this is normal?

Finally I was able to get it out of 4WD. Later than night I tested it on the street - seemed normal. Is this just some little gremlin that haunts some automatic jeeps when on rough ground?

Next time you're having a particularly difficult time shifting out of 4L, to N, Stop and shift to reverse for approx 15-20 ft before shifting the trans to N, and attempting to shift the t-case. The reason it's occasionally so difficult to shift is that the front and rear drive shafts turn at differing rates, and cause the shift collar to be bound up due to the torsion this creates. You need to try to reduce the torsional difference between the front and rear propshafts, by attempting to get them to roatate at differing speeds, in the direction OPPOSITE of that which caused them to bind against each other.

Sometimes what helps is gently rocking the steeirng 15-20 degress while backing, other times simply gassing it (~ 1/4 -to- 1/2 throttle) briefly while in gear, then suddenly letting off the gas, before shifting to N and attempting the shift of the T/case is enough. Every situation will be a bit different, and the lower the coefficient of traction the surface you are on when you do this shifting, will also ease the amount of binding the t/case is subjected to...

Tip... NEVER try shifting, either during or immediately after making sharp turns as that's when the case will be bound up most.;)

Good Luck...:) ;)

[RufftyTuffty]

It's prolly the crappy jeep linkage idea begining to fail...you might wanna inspect and grease it.

Also, research NOVAK's conversion for trouble free shifting.

~Mike

[Washington_XJ]

I found the website but didn't see anything about shift linkages.

Link?

[rockwerks]

Don't know how many of you have automatic XJ's, but this has been something thats haunted me ever since I purchased my cherokee. It seems as if I can shift into 4X4 part time mode at pretty much any time but during rough patches of trail or un-even ground the vehicle won't let me shift back to 2WD. The lever seems stuck. Has anybody else had this problem, and is there a certain sequence of gear shifts or something that you have to do in order to shift out of 4WD?

what year?

have you checked and replaced the motor mounts and trans mount?

[RufftyTuffty]

I found the website but didn't see anything about shift linkages.

Link?

http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/kit_sk2x.htm

You will need to check with NOVAK about compatibility...what Tcase have you got? 242? 231?

[rockwerks]

you dont need to replaced any of the linkage, Im betting its binding because of other issues.........and a little maintenance will go along way.......

[ob1jeeper]

you dont need to replaced any of the linkage, Im betting its binding because of other issues.........and a little maintenance will go along way.......
without seeing what you have, I'd have to agree with above post... Not all that often that the linkages are toasted so bad as to require total replacement... Usually all that's required is a little lube, and perhaps a re-adjustment, IF anything at all...:p

[Washington_XJ]

I took the camera out tonight and took some pictures of the entire set up. It was rather dark and some of the pictures came out blury so bear with me. Also a fare warning if they are super large, I'm sorry. I have 2WD, 4WD (part time), 4WD (full time), neutral, and 4WD (low) so does that mean I have the 242?

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/566/p1010142fu9.jpg

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/7826/p1010147bt4.jpg

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/369/p1010145go3.jpg

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/6476/p1010146bh2.jpg

[rockwerks]

yes you have the 242 case.......pics still loading LOL