1996 Jeep XJ 4.0 np242 aw4

It is doing a few things I think they are related.

1. When I put it into 4wd full, part, or low the light does not come on. It feels like it is in 4wd. I put it in low and it was bucking like normal. I put the t-case in neutral and that worked like it should. In full or part time the 4wd doesnt "feel" strong. For example when I am in 4wd in my 2001 and I mash the peddle in a little bit of snow I take off with out sliding it feels strong. In this 96 it slides and feels weak. The front tires are kicking up snow so it is engaging. It also doesnt seem to come out of 4wd consistently it may have been in 4wd for a long time. He says the steering wheel has been jerking while turning on and off for sometime. Would this cause the "weak" feeling? Besides the linkage what would make it stay in 4wd? Loose chain?

2. While coasting I can hear a droning noise in the front rightish side of the Jeep. The noise is still there in neutral. What could this be?

Thanks for any help.

 

I'll guess your 01 has limited slip and the 96 does not? Could also be a simple difference in tires.
The jerking steering might be bound up front u-joints. That could be the whine as well.
To shift out of 4X4 let off the gas, then shift. Then give it gas, let off, then on again and go. Also could be a poorly adjusted linkage or a TC low on fluid.

 

The 96 has limited slip 01 is one wheeler peeler. Same tires.

U-joint thing sounds plausible.