Ok so ive got a 98XJ that had a 242 T-case in it that was swapped out for my robust 231 & i come to find out that the plugs for the speedo & temp sensor, (i think) dont match the plugs on my 1998. The speedo plug was a simple swap by taking the one off of the 242 & stickin it in my 231, BUT, the sensors are shaped differently & so goes my question of what to do???

In the pic, the shorter one came out of my 231:

 

Thats the switch for the part time indicator lamp on the dash. Doesn't really matter what the switch looks like are the connectors the same? Btw you may want to just replace the switch because it's a bear to get to when installed and they fail all the time.

 

The 242 switch has a 4 pin connector and the 231 switch (small one) has a 2 pin connector. You will need to use the small (231) switch and change the connector to fit it. If/when you get a 2 pin connector you can splice it in to the 242 switch wiring. You will be using the Black/Red tracer wire to go to pin A of the connector and the Black wire to pin B of the connector. Pin A is power from the "Part Time" lamp in the Instrument Cluster, and pin B is ground (G101).

Disconnect the battery negative post while working on this.

Edit: The Black/White tracer wire from the 242 circuit is still hot. Crimp a dead end cap on it.

 

I just reused the 242 switch. use a nut and washer to space it out properly so the contact works in all the gear selections.

 

I'm pretty sure they're both 2 prong and as long as the 231 switch is good it should work anyway.

The 242 switch is longer because the way it comes in contact in each gear is a further distance then in the 231.

 

The 242 mode switch is 4 pin and the 231 mode switch is 2 pin.

 

I should have noted that i do NOT have the plug that would fit into the 231 case as it went bye bye with the old XJ to the scrap pile cause i didnt think that id need it. So, where would i get that plug??

 

Maybe it depends on the year... I just did this a month ago both plugs were def 2 prongs and both pluged in

 

Yes it does cause my 95 plugged right in so the 98 has a different wired plug. Ill try napa 1st cause the yards round here are a rip off!

 

Picked up an original parts plug from napa, ($32 friggen bucks), & now ive got another issue,, the 231 plug only has 2 wires coming out of it & my 98 plug that id be cutting off has 3 wires going to it, so what next??

If u guys are right that all this thing does is light up somethin on the dash that tells me what gear im in when all i have to do is look down, then cant i just do without it??

Someone reccomended i space out the 98 sensor but its still shaped differently so would that even work given the size difference inside the case??

Tks

 

The 242 switch and connector both have 4 pins. The 242 connector will only have, and use, 3 wires. You will be using 2 of those wires for your 231. See below.

You will need to use the small (231) switch and change the connector to fit it. When you get a 2 pin connector you can splice it in to the 242 switch wiring.

You will be using the 242 body harness Black/Red tracer wire to go to pin A of the 231 connector and the Black wire to pin B of the 231 connector.

Pin A is power from the "Part Time" lamp in the Instrument Cluster, and pin B is ground (G101).

The Black/White tracer wire from the 242 circuit is still hot. Crimp a dead end cap on it.

Disconnect the battery negative post while working on this.

 

Here's a diagram of the TC lights. You'll see the wiring for the 231 TC and the 242 TC.

 

You do know that the 231 t-case only has 4high, neutral, & 4low & NO part time 4wd right? So how are the lights on the dash gonna light up with the original t-case swapped out? Besides ive never seen any lights on the dash for this, only the ones right besides the t-case shifter on the center console. Even tho its simple to splice a new plug in, it doesnt seem like its even needed.

Idk, just my thoughts i guess.

 

The 231 has NO Full-time.

242 has both Full-time and Part-time and has lights for each.

 

Correct, so like i was saying, since the 231 has no full or part time, (4hi 4low), how are they gonna light up the dash? Thats why im sayin does it even matter to plug it in...