4L !!
Good morning to all,
Yesterday I tested th 4WD system. The 4H was OK, but when I shifted to 4L the Jeep jumped strongly and the rear wheels spinned strangly! They were spinning in a strange way with vibration from the rear .... any help please?
Yesterday I tested th 4WD system. The 4H was OK, but when I shifted to 4L the Jeep jumped strongly and the rear wheels spinned strangly! They were spinning in a strange way with vibration from the rear .... any help please?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Nazareth/Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L 242ci I6
Do this, it never failed for me:
1. Stop the jeep
2. Put tranny in neutral
3. Keep foot on brake and move transfer case lever to desired range
4. Put jeep in drive
5. Take foot off brake and let it coast for a few feet, then give it a little gas
6. Watch for light to come on, initiating engagement
7. Have fun!
**remember to only use part time and 4L on loose terrain (snow, mud, sand, loose rocks)
If you do that and still have a problem, report back and explain the situation in detail. In 4L the engine should rev up very quickly and you should not go very fast because the gear range is very low. However, it gives the engine less resistance to pull, so you go through tough terrain easier.
1. Stop the jeep
2. Put tranny in neutral
3. Keep foot on brake and move transfer case lever to desired range
4. Put jeep in drive
5. Take foot off brake and let it coast for a few feet, then give it a little gas
6. Watch for light to come on, initiating engagement
7. Have fun!
**remember to only use part time and 4L on loose terrain (snow, mud, sand, loose rocks)
If you do that and still have a problem, report back and explain the situation in detail. In 4L the engine should rev up very quickly and you should not go very fast because the gear range is very low. However, it gives the engine less resistance to pull, so you go through tough terrain easier.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Nazareth/Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L 242ci I6
Also, mine tends to try to move anyway when my brakes are fully engaged, since the gearing is so low and gives the engine much more pulling ability.
Do this, it never failed for me:
1. Stop the jeep
2. Put tranny in neutral
3. Keep foot on brake and move transfer case lever to desired range
4. Put jeep in drive
5. Take foot off brake and let it coast for a few feet, then give it a little gas
6. Watch for light to come on, initiating engagement
7. Have fun!
**remember to only use part time and 4L on loose terrain (snow, mud, sand, loose rocks)
If you do that and still have a problem, report back and explain the situation in detail. In 4L the engine should rev up very quickly and you should not go very fast because the gear range is very low. However, it gives the engine less resistance to pull, so you go through tough terrain easier.
1. Stop the jeep
2. Put tranny in neutral
3. Keep foot on brake and move transfer case lever to desired range
4. Put jeep in drive
5. Take foot off brake and let it coast for a few feet, then give it a little gas
6. Watch for light to come on, initiating engagement
7. Have fun!
**remember to only use part time and 4L on loose terrain (snow, mud, sand, loose rocks)
If you do that and still have a problem, report back and explain the situation in detail. In 4L the engine should rev up very quickly and you should not go very fast because the gear range is very low. However, it gives the engine less resistance to pull, so you go through tough terrain easier.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Nazareth/Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L 242ci I6
Yeah, it helps to put the tranny in neutral. You don't really need to, but it comes in handy and allows it to engage more smoothly. It will jerk hard if the tranny is in drive, the gears switch directions with a very large force.
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move transfer case lever to desired range
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Nazareth/Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L 242ci I6
Move the transfer case lever to what ever setting you want:
2HI, 4 Full Time, 4 Part Time, Neutral, 4LO if you have the NP242 (selec-trac)
2HI, 4 Part Time, Neutral, 4LO if you have the NP231 (command-trac)
In your case for the problem, put it in 4LO.
2HI, 4 Full Time, 4 Part Time, Neutral, 4LO if you have the NP242 (selec-trac)
2HI, 4 Part Time, Neutral, 4LO if you have the NP231 (command-trac)
In your case for the problem, put it in 4LO.
I've 2H, 4L, N and 4H in my jeep...
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
That's fine. You have the NP231 transfer case. 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".
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 engage, shift the transfer case lever from 2H to 4H while the vehicle is moving at any legal speed".
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".
That's fine. You have the NP231 transfer case. 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".
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 engage, shift the transfer case lever from 2H to 4H while the vehicle is moving at any legal speed".
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".
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0


