UKXJ

First things first: this is my '98 UK spec. XJ = 4.00+AW4+NV242.

Recently it was sometimes a bit noisy in reverse . One of those times was Saturday morning, but put that down to play in a U-joint (or 2).

The next time, nothing happened - like being in Neutral. Being in a desperate situation, I tried every which way &, eventually, discovered that in 4-low, it would creep back just far enough for me escape from between 2 log piles, facing a locked gate.

Otherwise, everything worked as it should, so continued on my way. 45 miles or so later I'm parked up outside the homestead but the weather was terrible, so did no more than check the fluid, it was 1/2-way between fill & full, so hardly likely to be the problem. Did fiddle about a bit with the the selector but it seems that 4-low trick was a one-off "get out of jail free" card.

Today was sunny enough to dry out the ground, so, having topped off the fluid got underneath to have a look - but there was nothing obviously wrong (except the front U-joint on the front shaft - & a lot of play in the front diff).

The reverse lights work & it won't start in Reverse - so I guess that rules out the NSS. Now I'm beyond my very limited knowledge of such things.

But, there's a final twist: Took it down to it's "secure parking" at a hotel about a mile down the road, fully expecting to have to try & push it into a space (or go nose in - & tow it out backwards the next time). O I get it lined up with a space &, more in hope than expectation, put it in 4low - & it idled back 15,20 feet.
Curiosity now got the better of me, and having a little time to spare, I pulled forward a few feet, put in 4hi, Reverse & back it went. I tried the selector in all positions, with the same result. Now could that short drive , allowing that extra pint of ATF to percolate round the system really have made that difference? Seems unlikely - & I still doubt it'd go more than a few feet, or at anything more than a walking pace, or, indeed, whether it'll do the same again next time.

Anyone know what the problem is, &, more importantly, can it be fixed?

Any ideas are welcome.

That Jeep Guy XJMJ

Simplify the story for me... the jeep moves or doesnt move in what postistions? I guess in what combination of 2wd - 4hi - 4lo does it move and not move

I'm confused what's the more relative issue here. A transmission or tcase problem

cruiser54

Ever adjusted the throttle valve cable?
Your fluid is low? How old?

UKXJ

It drives normally &, as far as I know, all the T-case functions work.

I thought it had lost reverse completely, but it seemed to make a 1/2-hearted recovery, i.e. it'll go backwards, on the level, at a walking pace. Whether it still will when I get back to it on Saturday I have my doubts, but will have more time to devote to it.

Whether it's the trans or T-case I've no idea because if it's the trans, what difference would what mode the T-case was in make? - & how/why can the T-case only not work in Reverse? Must confess to being well out of my depth with this one.

UKXJ

1/ No, never had cause to, doesn't seem to be the sort of problem that would help with - & this is something that happened suddenly. All that said, as it's so easy, & I've got nothing to lose, I'll give it a shot.
2/ I wouldn't call needing, maybe, a pint low - but, even if it were, why should that only affect Reverse?
3/ Was going to say a year, but, actually, it's probably 2 (& it now only does about 3,000 miles a year)

cruiser54

The throttle valve cable most certainly can affect internal pressure of the trans. cable break?
I wouldn't leave that stone unturned.

242 has planetary gears inside. That could be a transfer case issue although I've never heard of it before.

UKXJ

If the cable broke, that would explain the problem suddenly occurring - but why should it only affect Reverse?
However, as I said I will look at that first.

I do have another trans (although it was intended for my '99 Orvis) & a couple of extra days at Easter which should allow enough time to swap it in - but I'd hate to do all that, only to find that wasn't the problem.

If it's the transfer case, I'm well & truly snookered as there are none available, unless I can make one out of the 2 spares I have. Again, it's a lot of work, possibly for nothing.

cruiser54

I wish I had the answer.

UKXJ

"You & me both, chum" as the saying goes.

At least I can take some small comfort from knowing it's not just me being dense.

The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to think it's the trans, but increasingly unsure it is practicable to swap it, single-handed, out in the street, against the clock (well, I suppose, more accurately, the calendar).

That Jeep Guy XJMJ

How do the positions of your shifter feel and also the alignment with the indicator?

Perhaps in between positions or slightly off? I deal with this on one of my jeeps despite changing the shift cable itself it still happens. Could share video later but that's the long and short of it.

UKXJ

There was no clue I had a problem - until I put it in Reverse & nothing happened! It still drives normally, although, I suppose, going from P to D's not much of a test.

However I did think of that, when I was eliminating the NSS from the equation but all I can really be sure of is the reverse lights work when they should - & it won't start in Reverse (i.e. the lever's in that position). But the big puzzle, for me, is why does the position of the TC lever make a difference? It's almost as if there's only drive in reverse to the front axle, 7 then, not always & only with very limited power (won't accelerate in R, or go up hill).

UKXJ

Quick update:-
It would reverse, just about, when I parked it the weekend before - but not on Saturday when I got back to it.
Did the TVC thing: nothing!
Discovered the versing lights failed during the week, while it was parked. Could it be a NSS thing? More expense, but then I'll have to get a new one if I fit the replacement trans (I just know I'll destroy it trying to remove the one one)
My latest thinking on the transfer case is, just as it won't accelerate in Reverse, or back up hill, in 4low, it multiplies the very limited power at the wheels for it to crawl backwards on the level, so the fault is (in) the trans.
Pretty well resigned to getting the trans swapped professionally now but as the days I had off at Easter are now in doubt, & the place I had in mind to do it isn't open Saturdays, who knows when I'll be able to book it in?
Any encouragement gratefully received.