Hey Cherokee Country. I have a question I have a 2000 Cherokee sport that's stuck in 4 high. The indicator light does not work but can tell by the way it steers its stuck in 4 high. Any Ideas what that problem is? Or what to do.

 

Is it a np231 or np242, and how long has it been stuck in 4x4. Jack up the front of the jeep and see if you can turn the front drive shaft. Also does the 4x4 shifter feel lose? If so you may have to adjust the linkage or replace the bushings.

 

Are you trying to shift it sitting still?

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. The suggestions in CAPS are mine.

"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, 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".

TO SHIFT OUT OF 4L, SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED, SHIFT THE TRANSFER CASE LEVER TO 2H, THEN THE TRANS TO D IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC, OR INTO FIRST GEAR WITH A MANUAL, AND CONTINUE ON.

Revised 11/20/2014

 

That method works great on a np231 but a 242 likes to be stubborn. To get mine to engage/disengage 4x4 I usually have to put it in reverse and back up a little. This is why I am switching to a np231 because on every one I have driven it engages/disengages almost instantly.