Hello,

I have done some extensive search for how to get my Jeep Cherokee XJ 99 out of 4WD. However, nothing, absolutely nothing, worked for me. I reversed, slammed it in, went down the hill in N, went up the hill, drove over speedbumbs etc etc.

When I put the leaver in 2WD, the car still drives in 4WD FullTime. (At least I think it does). I had to drive around 50 miles home. When I put the leaver in 4WD Fulltime, the car goes into Low Range and its really difficult to get out of again.

Now I managed to put the car in 4WD Fulltime, although the leaver is in 2WD. I don't even know for sure if its in Full Time or Part Time, at least its not in Low Range. I don't want to keep driving in FullTime, it makes weird noises going backwards and I don't know what to do anymore.

Can I check the fluids? Or the chain in the transfer case? If so, please tell me how to do it! The only suitable mechanic is booked until mid January..

Please help me!! My transfer case should be the NP242 since I have Fulltime, Parttime and Low Range. In case its stuck in Part Time and not Fulltime, is that bad?



Thank you for your help!

 

It sounds to me your linkage is off. If the lever is in 2wd and its still in full time then its more than likely that.

What I suppose to you can do is go under the truck and where the 4wd lever meets the link on the t-case you disconnect the two. (Its goes in with a ball, kind of like a big button...Im not explaining it right but its not difficult and once you see you will understand) But once disconnected you can move the one lever that attaches to the t-case by hand and move it back and forth thus changing what 4wd mode you are and move it to 2wd.

Once confirming that it is the linkage if it is the linkage, there is an adjustment bolt on the handle side lever where you can adjust it to where you want it to be.

It is okay to drive in Full Time, It is called Full time for a reason. You will be able to tell if your in part time if it is difficult to steer, or if the vehicle fights back to go straight. If steering is like normal then that is Full Time. There are two bolts or HEX bolts on the t-case for draining and adding fluid. If you want to check your levels remove the top one and put your finger inside to see how full it is. To check the T-case Chain, which is it more than likely not the problem the entire T-case has to be split (big job).

Again this deffenetly sounds like a linkage problem, not a big deal. What did the Jeep do before this? When was the last time you were 4wd?
And if you have stock suspension you should be able to drive up lift ramps to have room to work under there.

Goodluck, and any questions just post em.

 

I am just coming back from under the jeep. I first removed a protection to get a better hand on it. Then I wanted to remove another big protection which turned out to hold the whole stuff down there, so I screwed it back on with the help of a jack. Pretty annoying, but I am just not used to it, yet

I had a good look at the linkage, nothing seemed bent or moved out of place. Everything looks just fine. I couldn't move anything down there by hand (but the space was rather limited as well). Basically, when I was under there, I didn't really know where to start. It looked a bit different from the first picture. Furthermore, the leaver moves pretty good, but the car just won't pop out of 4WD. Now the metal thing on the second picture is in its upper position, that should be right, shouldn't it?

After I came back from under the car, I tried driving. It did not make any weird noises anymore in reverse, BUT it is still vibrating from the front and feels to be in 4WD. Furthermore it sound horrible while braking. Now a question popped into my mind: Is there one way I can find out for sure whether or not I am in two wheel drive? Other than lifting the whole car and accelerating? Maybe something else is wrong, and its actually in 2WD ?

I am so confused

 

You can tell if you are in 4WD by turning your wheel all the way to the left or right (like you would to do a u-Turn) if you can feel the steering wheel jerking you are in 4wd. In the older Cherokees (at least the one I had) the light would stay on longer in the winter/very cold weather even if I really wasn't in 4wd.

 

Re-read my first post about how to tell if your in 4wd or not and what 4wd mode you are in. (Full Time / Part Time). If your truck is stock you can Jack up one front wheel and one rear wheel and put the car in drive. If both wheels spin then it deffenetly in 4wd.

-Now again. When was the last time you in in 4wd? What did the car do before this?

-What "Protections" are you talking about under the truck? Skid Plates?

And, if the lever says its in "2wd" doesnt exactly mean it is. If the links are off then no matter how hard you slam in reverse the only thing is gonna happen is damage to your tranny.