Tried out my 4wd for the first time tonight! It shifted into 4wd high immediately, and seams to work just fine. However when I went back into 2wd the light went out right away, but still seemed to be in 4wd (or something in between) then the jeep shuddered about 30 seconds later and went back to 2wd. I tried this again and it repeated itself the same way. I tried a third time but this time I shifted the transmission into neutral first and it went back into 2wd perfectly. This is a workaround I can use but I'm guessing either I'm doing something wrong or there is something broken somewhere.

Is this normal?

 

Don't know if it's "normal", but sometimes, when I shift in and out of 4WD, it's immediate. Other times, it "sticks". Putting it into neutral or sometimes reverse & back allows it to shift.

 

I had the same problem. Go about 10mph in reverse for about 20 feet to get it out.

 

I always place mine in neutral first and never a problem for high or low much easier on transmission also.

 

I won't switch mine unless in "N". Afraid something may drop out of it if I touch that lever in gear. I do have a question, kind of on topic. We have been having frigid weather, and of course just had another foot of snow, so would be really nice to have my '91 STAY in 4wd when I put it there.....seems if I haven't been driving it and it's nice and warm, she doesn't want to stay in 4wd, and then I find myself coasting..........my question, anyone else have this issue ever? And if so, what did it turn out to be? Any info would be great. Thanks!!!!

 

sometimes when going from 4wd to 2wd it gets "stuck" in 4wd. I have to shift it in and out of netural while im moving and it will go back into 2wd. not really sure what it is but I don't think its a big deal so I just deal with it

 

The owners manual actually says you should be moving when you shift into and out of 4WD Hi, in Neutral when shifting into 4Lo. I have found though that sometimes it is harder to shift when moving. One thing to check is that you don't have low air pressure in one tire or anything like that which would cause the wheels to spin at slightly different speeds between front and rear. Definitely do not have different size tires front and rear, that will really cause any 4WD to have problems engaging/disengaging and damage the transfer case.

Also unless you have the Full time/Part time transfer case, never engage an XJ on dry pavement, and never use the Part time on dry pavement as it can damage the transfer case. Packed snow, gravel and dirt/mud you will be ok.

 

Have you checked the fluid level & condition? Is the linkage bound up or damaged?
It's called "shift on the fly" for a reason. You shouldn't have perform some type of magic ritual or jump out and do an Irish jig during a full moon to have it work properly. BTW, 4 hi or low on dry pavement in a straight line is fine and won't hurt anything.

 

I've actually ripped mine into 4wd a few times when moving 40 mph before. Never under power but if you pull up or push quickly and hard enough it will go in and out of 2wd without issue.

Now 4w low you have to go into neutral on the transmission (park should work but the dog teeth may not be aligned) since the tail shaft will be under torque (and will begin to freely spin when you put the t-case in neutral) when the transmission is in gear.

On a manual you can push the clutch and wait for the tail shaft to stop spinning, try and float the t-case into low, or put it in neutral and wait for the tail shaft to stop spinning.

 

I have never had a problem shifting from 2w to 4w and back while moving. At times, if it doesn't go right into 2w, ease off on the throttle, it may not shift back under load.

 

I dont have the owners manual, but it seems much easier to put the transmission into neutral to change from 2wd to 4wd or vice versa. (speed doesnt matter, as long as its not 4 lo) It also seems to work in park. Ive never done it in reverse, I rarely put it into 4 lo and normally I stop completely, shift into neutral than put it in 4 lo.

I have a 91 cherokee, not sure of the transmission.
check your owners manual, it should say.

 

When I went into 4Lo last weekend, it wouldn't get into gear. Then I put her into neutral and she shifted into 4Lo as smooth as butter. I was able to shift on the fly for both versions of 4Hi, but sometimes I needed to rev or slow down. To get out, sometimes I could do it on the fly, other times I had to go into neutral.

 

For shifting into 4 lo. The most common thing I've heard is to go 2-3 mph (slow walking speed) and put it in neutral then go to 4 lo. Never go above 20 mph. It's a slow gear. You WILL tear apart the transmission. My brother tore up a transmission like that. Although the jeep had 190,000 miles and it still runs. Just not as good.

 

The mystery unveiled!!

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".

 

That's what I do with my GC but the XJ just seems to work easier going into neutral first. It could be because the TC is worn or chain may be loose and in need of replacement. When I first got the XJ TC would not shift into 4L at all because the person who did the so called "Lift" spacers and blocks did not adj the linkage afterwards.

I guess part of my neutral notion goes back to my first new 4x4 a Chevy 3/4 ton PU 1974 and that was the only way to do it then, up to my 3/4 ton Ford Crew Cab 4x4 2011 still had to.