231 vs 242 transfer case
Herp Derp Jerp
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Seasoned Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 360
Likes: 5
Model: Cherokee
That is the norm now. But I've seen too many of those systems fail over the years to trust them in an older vehicle. I guess when it comes to engaging the front axels I want to be the one moving the lever, not a system of solenoids, switches and linkages. That's one of the reasons I like the XJ. Old school simple!
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
The NP242 has an extra "Full Time" mode which can be driven on any road surface because it has an open differential. With the right circumstances, this means you could end up with one wheel drive. The NP231 does not have the extra "Full Time" mode. Ignore the cranky people who complain about punctuation. Do they have anything better to do than complain about others punctuation?
Herp Derp Jerp
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 731
Likes: 3
Are you referring to the 4-wheel drive "Full-Time" setting?
So if I understand you clearly.................You CAN get it to go into 4-wheel drive "Part-Time" and 4-Low (both settings should turn on the "Part Time" amber light on the dash)
The "Full-Time" setting should turn on the (Green) Full Time light, unless the bulb is burned out......................
Are you sure you have a 242 transfer case?
Someone could have swapped it for a 231 at some point in its life......
There should be a Round Tag attached to the back of the transfer case.
It should be stamped "New Venture Gear" "Syracuse, NY"
or "New Process Gear" (same factory, different ownership)
It also should be stamped "NV242" or "242J" if that's the model case you have.
Herp Derp Jerp
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Still not following you... do you mean the shifter won't move or it moves and nothing happens or you just suspect it isn't working or when you shift it your Jeep explodes or what? Feel free to use the names of the positions on the actual shifter... not sure if 5 wheel drive is a typo or your name for a certain mode.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Try reading this:
Here's how the factory suggests you shift the transfer case and I've been doing this since these things were new and I worked at the dealership. Quoted from the owner's manual. The suggestions in CAPS are mine.
"To engage, shift the transfer case lever from 2H to 4H while the vehicle is moving at any legal speed". I LET OFF THE GAS, THROW THE LEVER, TAP THE GAS AND LET OFF.
4L position: " To engage, slow the vehicle to 2-3 MPH , shift the transmission to Neutral, then shift the transfer lever to the right and pull firmly rearward to 4L".
TO SHIFT OUT OF 4L, SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED, SHIFT THE TRANSFER CASE LEVER TO 2H, THEN THE TRANS TO D IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC, OR INTO FIRST GEAR WITH A MANUAL, AND CONTINUE ON.
Revised 11/20/2014
Here's how the factory suggests you shift the transfer case and I've been doing this since these things were new and I worked at the dealership. Quoted from the owner's manual. The suggestions in CAPS are mine.
"To engage, shift the transfer case lever from 2H to 4H while the vehicle is moving at any legal speed". I LET OFF THE GAS, THROW THE LEVER, TAP THE GAS AND LET OFF.
4L position: " To engage, slow the vehicle to 2-3 MPH , shift the transmission to Neutral, then shift the transfer lever to the right and pull firmly rearward to 4L".
TO SHIFT OUT OF 4L, SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED, SHIFT THE TRANSFER CASE LEVER TO 2H, THEN THE TRANS TO D IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC, OR INTO FIRST GEAR WITH A MANUAL, AND CONTINUE ON.
Revised 11/20/2014
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
What's 5-wheel?
Are you referring to the 4-wheel drive "Full-Time" setting?
So if I understand you clearly.................You CAN get it to go into 4-wheel drive "Part-Time" and 4-Low (both settings should turn on the "Part Time" amber light on the dash)
The "Full-Time" setting should turn on the (Green) Full Time light, unless the bulb is burned out......................
Are you sure you have a 242 transfer case?
Someone could have swapped it for a 231 at some point in its life......
There should be a Round Tag attached to the back of the transfer case.
It should be stamped "New Venture Gear" "Syracuse, NY"
or "New Process Gear" (same factory, different ownership)
It also should be stamped "NV242" or "242J" if that's the model case you have.
Are you referring to the 4-wheel drive "Full-Time" setting?
So if I understand you clearly.................You CAN get it to go into 4-wheel drive "Part-Time" and 4-Low (both settings should turn on the "Part Time" amber light on the dash)
The "Full-Time" setting should turn on the (Green) Full Time light, unless the bulb is burned out......................
Are you sure you have a 242 transfer case?
Someone could have swapped it for a 231 at some point in its life......
There should be a Round Tag attached to the back of the transfer case.
It should be stamped "New Venture Gear" "Syracuse, NY"
or "New Process Gear" (same factory, different ownership)
It also should be stamped "NV242" or "242J" if that's the model case you have.
