4x4 repair help
 

My jeep got driven on pavement in 4wheel for quite a distance, differential was smoking and it had to get towed the rest of the way.


I was able to get the jeep out of 4wheel when I finally got it back, however it did not ever go back into 4x4.


before when I engaged 4wheel my little computer screen turned on showing what wheels had drive on them. this was indicated by the wheels on the screen actually lighting up.


after this problem when I go to put it into 4x4 the lights come on but they are very dim and once its driving you can tell the 4x4 did not engage... most of the time the lights don't even come on any more.


I would like to know where to start when trying to find out what the actual problem is with the 4wheel. this will be my first time working on this aspect of my jeep


thanks

Do you have Selectrac?

I do not know what selectrac is... While im on my 4th jeep, I just started getting into the DIY maintenance and the jeeping thing. Im trying to make an effort to learn the components as I need to repair them


when I was in the woods driving one day in 4wheel, the back wheels on the computer screen were lit up most of the time until I hit mud or loose gravel, then other wheels would start to light up... sometimes all wheels would be lit up and sometimes it would switch from the back wheels being lit up to the front wheels just being lit up

This indication on the VIC is the first time I've heard of the wheels lighting up. My '97 just had a light that said "part time" when it was 4wd part time. Maybe you have the Quadratrac AWD system.

As far as I know, there were 2 different t/cases used in the '97 Grand Cherokee. The 249 case (Quadratrac) that is 4WD all the time and the 242 Selectrac that has 2WD, 2 different selections of 4WD, and 4WD low. The Cherokees had the 231 case which has 2WD and 2 ranges of 4WD, high and low. That's about as far as my knowledge goes.

Someone else chime in here, will you?

My 4x4 shifter is as follows; 2wd, 4wd part time, 4wd full, n, 4wd lo


there is an area next to the little computer screen that lights up letting me know what drive I am in despite being able to see all of this next to the shifter


other than that if you need more info let me know and I will take a closer look

Yup, you've got the 242 Selectrac. Mine was a straight-up Larado and didn't have a lot of the bells and whistles. Make sure your front and rear tires are the same size and wear condition. It matters in 4WD.

Smoking ??? Any gear oil in it ?