Stuck in 4WD
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Winter Park, FL
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I have a cherokee with a selec trac transfer case, and was recently in full time 4WD. But when i went to put it back into 2WD, the lever will move to 2WD, but it gets stuck in part time 4WD. Does anybody know what is wrong, or how to fix it? Thanks!
Eric
Eric
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 0
From: West Bloomfield,MI
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L, CAI, Edelbrock Breather, Optima Yellowtop
I'm running a Cherokee with a command-trac transfer case and I can shift in and out of 4hi while the transmission is in D. In order for me to shift in and out of 4lo; I have to shift into Neutral. The same procedure may apply to selec trac, I'm not too sure since I've never owned a vehicle equipped with it. It's worth a try though.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: SW Michigan
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
I test drove a Cherokee with that same problem. It would disengage the 4WD if I backed it up a couple feet. I don't know what the problem was; I surmised it had to do with the center axle disconnect, but I could be totally wrong.
242 is shift on the fly, just like a 231.
I have heard they can stick though. Try putting it in 2wd, finding some grass/soft ground, and going back and forth, about 15ft at a time. This is said to pop them out most the time.
I have heard they can stick though. Try putting it in 2wd, finding some grass/soft ground, and going back and forth, about 15ft at a time. This is said to pop them out most the time.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,869
Likes: 2
From: Allentown, Pa
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Not to insult your intelligence, but we all make stupid errors.... make sure your fluids are full. Mine was a little low on fluid and I had the hardest time shifting in and out of 4wd. After that, shift the trans into neutral and try to shift it out of 4wd.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Taunton Ma
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l inline six
idk possibly check your vaccum lines my old one had a crack and it had a little hesitation disengaging
i was gonna say they mite crack from the cold
i was gonna say they mite crack from the cold
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
ive noticed this problem on mine too, but its like luck... half the time it gets stuck and i have to play around with it for a couple mins, and the other half its fine.... its really annoying
CF Veteran

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 3
From: West By God Virginia
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 99 4.0
i had one that was hard to shift out of 4wd. i would either drive back and forth until it disengaged. sometimes, especially if your offroad, if you try turning a bit, the little bind it puts on the transfer case will get it to pop out. sometimes you have to hold pressure on it in 2wd, and sometimes you just got to drive it up to speed. but just moving it around will get it to disengage one way or another. full fluids help alot.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
dumb question but what fluid are you talking about??????????
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
ive noticed this problem on mine too, but its like luck... half the time it gets stuck and i have to play around with it for a couple mins, and the other half its fine.... its really annoying
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Ball Ground Ga
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 MPI
On a lot of 4wd vehicles sometimes if the 4wd is not used much or none at all, you will find that it can be hard to get it in/out of 4wd. Had this problem when I first got my XJ
Seasoned Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Browns Valley/Grass Valley, CA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 98 4.0 swap
The np 242 selec trac is the most finicky trans case i ever had. but one really good way to disengage is to drive downhill at like 15mph whatever terrain then put transmission in neutral then slam that shift lever down to 2wd! dont be gentle with it. if nothing else your shift fork is (worn out/not lubed right) and is twisting in place on center shaft in your t-case instead of just sliding easy. Best solution change out for a NP231 and get rid of the NP242.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,869
Likes: 2
From: Allentown, Pa
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
ATF in the transfer case. It's pretty common for the rear output shaft seal to leak. Checking the fluid level is the same as checking the fluid level in your differential, stick your pinky in, the fluid shouldn't be any lower than 0.25" below the fill hole.



