Jumpalot

Second post. I just bought a 2000 Cherokee. My 4 pt and 4 ft only work sometimes, but the lights always come on. I've tried to shift in from a stop and while driving, no difference either way. 4 lo always works.
I will be going up a hill in 2 wheel drive and start to spin. I stop and shift into 4 pt or 4 ft and sometimes it won't engage. In fact, most of the time it won't engage. Then I shift into N and then shift into 4 lo and it will pull me right up the hill.
Not sure where to start troubleshooting. I've done some searching but didn't really find anything like what I'm experiencing.

belvedere

Try shifting into 4hi while you're still rolling.

Jumpalot

Yep, tried that. I thought I said that in the first post. Sorry, if I didn't. That didn't work all the time either.

cruiser54

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.

"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, and then 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".

Jumpalot

Tried while moving and while stopped. Doesn't make a difference. Still only works sometimes.

cruiser54

Did you tap and let off the gas? Are all your tires the same size and pressure?

Don't wait til you're damn near stuck to engage 4wd.

Jumpalot

Ok. Guess I'm not being real clear. I have had it shifted into 4 pt and ft while driving around and then come to a hill and started to climb it and only the back wheels would be spinning. I stopped shifted out and back in and tried to start again and still only rear wheel would spin. Backed down and tried again and still only rear wheels spinning. Stopped while still on hill shifted into N then into 4 lo and climbed right up the hill. Point is that most of the time 4 pt and 4 ft don't work whether from moving or from a stop. 4 lo always works. Oh and yes all tires are same size and pressure.

cruiser54

That's much clearer.

belvedere

That's strange. Do you hear any odd noises? I wonder if something is messed up with the t-case shift linkage, or if there's some kind of adjustment for it. I've never had to mess with that on the XJ.

cruiser54

If it's going into 4L, I would suspect the linkage is in adjustment. When it's not in adjustment, you usually have trouble engaging 4L.

This isn't making much sense to me.

Bryan98XJ

i would check the linkage and the fluid first.

cruiser54

Gotta start somewhere.

Jumpalot

No odd noises. Shifts into and out of 4 pt, 4 ft and 4 lo all easily.

cruiser54

Time to put on some grubbies and poke your own noggin under your Jeep and have a look-see. You'll accomplish more at this point under there than you will sitting at your computer.

Jumpalot

OK. I'm having to revive this. Looked around under, around, over etc. as much as my knowledge will let me. Can't find anything that stands out. We've gotten almost 2' of snow in the last two days so I've had a chance to really mess with the 4 wheel drive. I've tried all the above suggestions and none seem to work consistently. Tapping the gas has no effect. It seems like it's on a timer. It takes 5-10 seconds to engage 4pt or 4ft. I can be stopped (in neutral) or driving and it always takes 5-10 seconds to engage. However, shifting into 4lo is immediate and then I can shift back into 4pt or 4ft and it works. Any other ideas?