When I pull my 4WD lever back to the stop at "Part Time" it pops out of gear. If I don't pull it all the way to the stop but just until it "feels" like it's engaged it does fine. Should my linkage be adjusted to be in "Part Time" at the stop or like it is now (a little bit before the stop)? Did that make sense?

 

if you're here asking about it, its a good chance its not adjusted properly lol.
it should engage 4wd & trip the part time light as it hits the stop.

if it doesnt feel right, adjust the tcase linkage till it does.

 

to adjust move the handle to 2wd get under the jeep and manually move the transfercase to 2wd and tighten your set bolt. done this to mine have not had a problem since

 

How do you know when you're in 2WD when underneath working the loosened linkage?

 

i turned the key on move the shift part on the transfer case up or down to see if light is on. on my 93 i push it up all the way and thats 2wd

 

I only have a dash light for "Part Time 4WD" nothing for 2WD. Maybe I can do the same thing only in 4WD, Eh?

 

i only have the part time light also. it would kill me if a light stayed on for 2wd lmao. just unbolt the linkage,move your handle to 2wd, move the switch thing at the transfer case and tighten the bolt back up, pretty tight so itt dont happen again

 

Are you shifting it according to the way it was designed to be shifted?

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".

 

That's the way I shift to 4WD but I was slowing and shifting the transmission to neutral for 4 High as well as 4 Low. The problem is that the 4 High stop is a little out of adjustment and if I pull it all the way to the stop, it pops out of gear.

 

The FSM (1997) for the NP231 (they call it a NV231) says to shift into 4L (I'd do that by driving it in 4L to make sure it's in), raise the vehicle, loosen the lock bolt on the trunnion (located on the shift linkage rod), be sure the linkage rod slides freely in the trunnion (clean and lube if necessary), verify that you're still in 4L, then tighten the adjusting trunnion lock bolt.

I've seen write ups that say to hold the shifter in 4L with wire/rope, whatever, to keep it in place. I was going to adjust mine last week but when I looked at the rusty and heavy corrosion on the rod and trunnion bolt I heard a voice say, "Go ahead, dummy, just try it".

 

I had a bushing bad on mine causing shift problems. The pin was actually popping out of the bracket that mounts on the transfer case.