Did I kill my TC? (stuck in 4wd)
 

Yesterday I gave my 88 Cherokee a tuneup and he's running good now... On the test drive I decided to pull onto gravel and try out the 4wd. I stopped, put it in park, shifted to 4wd (can't remember if it was full time or part time) and drove forward about 10-15 feet... Just enough to feel the front grip. Then I stopped, put it in 2wd... Backed up a few feet and everything felt ok.
Now for the problem. I got back on the road, got to about 50MPH and the truck shuddered a little bit and started having a lot of resistance. The light on the dash then said it was in part time mode.... I've done everything I can to get it out, but it dosen't seem to work. The handle moves fine, but it's stuck.
It seems like there is a lot of resistance.... There is popping or banging sounds when I turn.... I'm lost....
I'm brand new to jeeps... And don't have a whole lot of experience with newer 4wd systems.... Help please :-)

the springs that move the shift fork can wear out and i doesnt like to shift. try shifting the t-case and then put the trans in nuetral and rev it a little (while you're moving) I have the same problem sometimes

PHEW!..... That worked.... Put it in full time 4wd (the only way it would drive)... Got up to about 10-15MPH..... Put the tranny in neutral and slammed the TC selector into 2wd... Nice and smooth now. Next stop autozone!... Gotta change those fluids.... THANX x 1,000,000 xjdave!

Make sure when you change your t case fluid to take the fill plug out first. Otherwise if take the bottom one out and the top plug is stuck then you have to put a new back half of the t case on

Yup yup, will do. I always make sure top & bottom will move before I drain anything. Thanks for the reminder.

Here's how you shift a Jeep with either the NP231 or NP242.

From the 1989 Jeep Owner's Manual:

To engage, shift transfer case lever from 2wd to 4wd while the vehicle is moving at any legal speed.

The same goes for shifting from 4wd to 2wd.

Wow!.... Seems like my "old school" 4x4 experience did me in.... I'm used to stopping, shifting into park, then put the transfer case where u want it, then lock the front hubs, then finally get back in and go..... Then undo everything and back up 25 feet.... I'm gettin old... Lol

Yep. Come on and get with it. Can't you keep up with 25 year old technology for crying out loud? LOL.

Guess I don't have a choice now huh?.... ;-)

Nope.

glad i could help!