bstewart87

I recently bought an auto 88 Cherokee 4x4 I6 from craigslist to play around in the snow and to get to some off road places for some winter photography here in MN. The problem is I can't move the 4x4 lever to shift into any of the 4x4 modes whether I am in drive, park, or neutral. I don't have an owners manual to check. Anyone have any suggestions for me? Thanks

COSXJFAN

Try coming to a complete stop with the tranny in neutral. If it doesn't go in let the vehicle roll forward or backward a little and see if it will slip in. If the 4x4 was not used much, it could be a little sticky, but once you start using it it should get easier. You'll have to learn the pattern that your Jeep likes, as they all like a little different routine when shifting in and out of 4x4. Once you get it to go in and out at a stop you should be able to pull it into and out of 4hi while driving. Sometimes you have to modulate the throttle a bit, but it should go. HTH!! Laters, let us know how it goes!!

caged

it probably hasn't been used much.
i'd start by getting under it and spray some pb blaster on all the linkages.
use a bit of force, and try working it a bit, but don't force it with too much pressure, you may bend a linkage rod.

you can try changing the fluid.
worse case scenario, pull the case, break it open and see what's wrong.
my brother forced his zj awd lever into low and now it won't engage properly. just grinds and the adjusters are rusted and won't move. it's still in my shop soaking.