Lizzard2112

HI. Sorry, I have been looking all over the OEM Tech and not finding anything on this. Stock 91 Cherokee, 4wd doesn't want to stay engaged when cold. Is this a "Jeep" thing? It stays just fine once I've been driving a while, but with the weather we have been having here, it would be nice to be able to pull out of my snowy driveway, onto my snowy street IN 4WD, and have it stay in 4WD.........any ideas from the masters??? Thanks!!!

cruiser54

Are you shifting it like this?

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".

TwoXJS

Maybe need to adjust your shift linkage? My '93 had a T-Case drop kit and would pop out of 4-Lo a lot. Adjusted the linkage until it was fine and was done with it. Of course, I removed the drop kit recently, so I had to re-do it again.

cruiser54

Yep.

Make sure you're sifting it properly, and if you are, the next step is to adjust the linkage.

I wonder if the fluid level and condition has been checked recently.

Lizzard2112

Thanks all for your help. I don't tend to put it into 4wd while moving, afraid something is going to break LOL, it's old and IDK how often it has ever been actually used. I myself have only used it a few times and in the warm weather, NEVER had an issue. I just wanted to be sure that if I bring it into the shop I don't get "bent over" as still in this day and age, some of them see a woman come in with an issue and they think they have a free ride........Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!

peep

Would Lizzy have a front Disco D30? Perhaps it is the disc coupler that is popping out. When cold the diff fluid lubricant could be sticky and maybe the vac actuator is having troubles pulling the inner axle coupler over fully. I've also seen moisture in the vac system and had a freeze up condition. Even my cable posiloc actuator is not perfect and very stiff in cold cold conditions. If the D30 is non disco, then disregard and look at the TCase, as previously mentioned, linkage and lubricant level. What is the mileage, any possibility of TCase chain stretch?

cruiser54

Unnecessary fretting.

Lizzard2112

No vac......almost 134k...going to ask a guy I trust to take a look at it for me. Thanks again!!