TROUBLE w/ TRANSFER BOX ON '92 CHEROKEE - HELP!

[navig8]

RE: Black soft top for a YJ with all hardware

My '92 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4x4 recently became "stuck" in part-time 4-wheel drive. The transmission shop which has "repaired" it says that I must, in order to shift out of 4-wheel (I have the Selec-Trac transfer case), I must BACK UP for some indeterminate distance, until the veh8icle returns to 2-wheel operation.

This is the 3rd Jeep Cherokee I've had (an '89 and a '91, both with the exact same "shift-on-the-fly" operation); the owners' manual says NOTHING about getting OUT of 4-wheel drive, only getting in; no other mechanic, Jeep salesman, or Jeep owner I have spoken with can believe this is true, and I have NEVER seen anyone backing their Jeep down the side of the road, or mountain, to get back to 2-wheel operation.

Can anyone make any helpful comment on this situation? I am at my wit's end; what is wrong with this picture and what should/must/can I do?

Thanks!

Navig8

 

[Saurian]

Are you in 4-Hi, or 4-Low... I don't know if that would matter, I have never had a problem like that, but someone more knowledgable than I might be able to answer better... If 4-Low, set parking brake, be in neutral when shifting out... If 4-HI, try shifting back while moving forward...

Here's sort of an odd suggestion, but it happened to someone I know, so I'll throw it out there... He couldn't get out of 4X4, the shifter would not move... Turned out, he had loose change that had fallen in, and was jamming up the shifter handle... Pry off the bezel and see if that might be the case... It's a long shot, but it's a suggestion nonetheless...

And if none of this is the case, and I too have never heard about having to back up to shift out, that seems sort of fishy... I would go back to the place that "fixed" it, and start questioning them, cause it sounds like something might be unhealthy in the transfer case...

And welcome to Jeepz!

 

[jay79cj7]

RE: rollbar to windshield frame mounting bolts

I am pretty sure you have the NP231 transfer case and you don't have to do any backing up to get out of 4x4. I don't know about other makes, but apparently there are some out there that are like this because I was given the same false advice one time. I am not certain how the 92 shifts... Some Jeeps have a vacuum system and have this problem when the hoses come undone. I have also heard of the linkage fittings coming loose, preventing it from functioning properly. Unless anybody else comes along with any better advice, check those two things out, and hope there is nothing wrong inside the case!

 

[navig8]

RE: Back to work!

Thanks guys, for the comments - I'd still like to hear from any Jeep owners with the '92 4x4 w/ "Selec-Trac" on this issue: do you have to stop and back up every time you come out of ANY 4-wheel use?

I did get some info from a knowledgeable Jeep mechanic yesterday who said that the "Selec-Trac" transfer case MAY INDEED require backing up in order to get the works to disengage, especially when new and operting at factory specs! He said that the "Commnad-Trac" is much more forgiving of on-the-fly shifting out of 4-wheel, but that the "Selec-Trac" should get better with time; also suggested that I check to be sure the pressure is equal and all tires are the same size and aligned correctly, says he has seen some Jeeps "locked up" which, when he put 'em on the rack and the tires came off the ground, dropped back into 2-wheel.

My transfer case was rebuilt by the shop which has been telling me this business about reversing out of 4-wheel, which, repeat, is NOT in the Owner's Manual; the inside plastic pieces were pretty much chewed up, which explained to me why it locked up in the first place... but now I apparently have a "rebuilt to specs" transfer case which doesn't operate as I expected. Anybody else got any insight on this?

Thanks again!

 

[crawlingxj]

i have the same problem with my 89 . i was told the same thing but it doesnt alway work i am getting ready to put a 231 in i am not happy with the 242

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

RE: Re: RE: Oil leak Diff. near wheel

Selec-trac is the 242, and includes full-time 4hi in addition to the options the command-trac (231) has.

I've heard of having to drive in reverse also, helps alleviate binding that can happen between each axle. I also agree with the equal tire pressure and size recommendation.

 

[graewulf]

Re: RE: MPG & Odometer with bigger tires

I have the 95 with Selec-trac. I don't have to back up, but occasionally while driving I need to shift from 2 to 4 back to 2 while driving straight to get it to disengage.... also.. while stopped, put the transmission in neutral, shift from 2 to 4 to 2 and see if it releases. This works for mine sometimes.