DenaliRanger1

2000 jeep cherokee sport 4.0. Shifts in part time and full time fine. When trying to return to 2wd I want to scream. I have tried all different speeds and slamming that lever down and it takes about 20 trys. Anyone know what is going on here? Thanks.

JerrytheJeep

Try putting your tranny in neutral?

macgyver35

Are you putting the transmission in neutral when switching between 2wd and 4wd modes? You should be, and also only be going about 3 miles per hour, or what would be a normal walking pace for a person.

JerrytheJeep

Well, when you shift into 4low your tranny should be in neutral. But 4hi, part or full time depending on your tcase, can be done at any speed with the transmission in gear. I go into neutral and apply steady pressure on the handle till it slips into gear.

Id also check to make sure your linkage isn't bound up. Do you have a tcase drop?

DenaliRanger1

no t-case drop. I usually dont try it in neutral unless im coming out of 4lo. Would changing the tcase oil help or is that irrelevant to this?

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".

cruiser54

Tires all the same size, brand, and pressure?

Ever checked the fluid level in your transfer case since you've owned it?

SeriousOffroad

How about adjusting the t-case linage?
What condition is your tranny mount in?

DenaliRanger1

Yeah my tires are all the same size and pressure. I have not checked the tcase fluid since I have owned it. Im just realizing how stupid this is. To check the fluid do I pull the drain plug? I have never done it. Im not sure.

JerrytheJeep

There's two large bolt caps on the back of the tcase, pull the upper one and add fluid per your manual's reccomendation till it starts overflowing. I think the 231 has a capacity of 2.1-2.2 quarts?

cruiser54

ATF works fine. Good idea Jerry.