I just test drove this XJ yesterday that Im going to be buying this up coming week. It drove really nice and everything but when I used the 4x4 on it which I think the Jeep has the 242 transfercase (not really sure which it is) with (2HI,4Part time,4Full time, & 4Lo)
I put it in 4 Part Time and it went in 4x4 because I could tell when I was turning, the "4 Part Time" light doesnt go on.
Also on 4 Full Time it works and the 4 Full Time light on the dash goes on.
The 4 Low light doesnt go on either. (if there even is one)

Then the weird thing is when I took it out of one of the 4x4's and put it in 2wd to continue on after that, it was still in 4x4.. its a 99 Cherokee Classic.
Do all Cherokees do that? Or is there something up with it? It goes into 2wd after a while.. but like I said it takes like 3minutes or so and a little driving and messing with it.
and also what do I do about the lights on the dash? Anyone know how to get that problem fixed?

 

As far as it staying in 4x4 after you've switched into 2 wheel drive, every 4x4 i've owned or driven comes right out of 4x4 if you back up about 10 feet or so. My XJ does the same thing. It doesn't really bother me that it stays in 4x4 unless i'm going into a parking lot thats been plowed after driving on the snowy streets and trying to make a tight turn into a spot.

 

So you think I should put it in 4wd. Then back up about 10 feet and see what it does? I havent really tried that. Will you feel it unlock out of 4wd? Because the dash lights dont work too good for me so I dont know how to get that fixed??

 

Its a habit of mine even in a newer car. I always come to a complete stop. Engage 4x4 use it for what I need. The engage into 2 wd and back up about 10-15 ft or until light goes out :-)

 

Ok but that seems to work for sure then huh? Instead of taking it out of 4wd and just driving.

 

Ive had bad experiences and saw friends mess things up and shatter gears. I just stop even if it says I dont have 2.

 

So your saying when you wanna take it out of 4wd its good to just stop. Put it in 2wd. Then Reverse how ever much. Then continue on??

 

Yes, the commonly respected way to put it in 4wd/take it out is this:
(Auto Trans)

1.Stop Vehicle, put trans in Neutral
2.Pull 4x4 lever into desired position (hard and fast, so you don’t grind gears)
3.Use 4x4 to do whatever…
4.When youre done, come to a full stop
5.Shift trans back into neutral
6.Place 4x4 lever in desired gear (2wd)
7.Wait a second, Shift trans into Reverse
8.Back up 10-15ft
Place trans in Drive, go on with your day

Hope that helps,
Dylan

 

Thanks!
I hope this works! Im sure it will, it was just weird that after I was done with my 4wd I put it in 2wd and continued on and it didnt shift out of 4wd for a while.

Also do any of you guys know why all the 4wd lights on the Dash dont light up?
The only light that lights up is 4 Part Time, so the 4 Full Time and 4 Low doesnt light up at all. Might be a loose vauum hose I would assume?

 

4low SHOULD still be the part time light.
The full time light is pry just burnt out.. or the sensor in the tcase might be bad...

 

ah yea ok... well Ive seen both of the lights on just different times so Im sure it might just be the vacuum hose thats loose or something of the sort I can tell the 4x4 works too from turning around in a parking lot when its in 4 compared to 2.