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Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go hereXJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.
i cant get the XJ into 2W. its stuck on 4H i can even shift into 4L it pops out and makes grinding noises. i Have a NP249 TC. I got under the jeep to push the linkage rod into place but it wont budge. I got it the part time light to come off when i rubber malletthe lever under the jeep but when i put the jeep into drive and release the brake i still see the drive yolk on my tc turn the from axle. so it tells me that my transfer case is still engaged in 4H. also my mechanic who really doesnt have much experience in 4wheel drive says that it is stuck on 4wheel drive because the turn radius on my jeep is really shallow. anyone had this happened. im thinking of scrapping the linkage and see what i can do from there on out. what do you think?
my 249 TC
The front driveshaft and axles have no disconnect so they will turn all the time even in 2wd. The NP249 was never offered on an XJ, you either have the NP231 or NP242, the 231 will have 2wd, 4 hi, N, 4 low, and the 242 will have 2wd, part time 4hi, full time 4hi, N, and 4 low. Either way it sounds like your linkage may be out of adjustment or it is low on fluid. Check those two thing first. Also do you have different size tires on the front and rear? That will also cause issues.
The front driveshaft and axles have no disconnect so they will turn all the time even in 2wd. The NP249 was never offered on an XJ, you either have the NP231 or NP242, the 231 will have 2wd, 4 hi, N, 4 low, and the 242 will have 2wd, part time 4hi, full time 4hi, N, and 4 low. Either way it sounds like your linkage may be out of adjustment or it is low on fluid. Check those two thing first. Also do you have different size tires on the front and rear? That will also cause issues.
when looking under the jeep my transfer case said 249 on it infact the pic is that of my tc. i had a previous owner he might have put the NP249 under there. for whatever reason im not sure. I am reading about it right now about the VC being shot on these 249. i do see some junkyard markings on my diff letting me know that the previous owner got the 249 for a crawler project..im more concerned if i can daily drive like this until i can save up for a 231 swap. what do you think?
Driving in 4wd on dry pavement is never a good idea.
If it were me and I absolutely had to have it for transportation I'd just take out the front driveshaft and you should be good to go unless the P.O. modified the axle or something like that.
The 249 does not have 2WD option. It is a Full-Time 4WD transfer case, the other selections are Low Range 4WD, and Neutral.
The 249 TC has three shift selections, the 242 has five and 231 has four. This suggests to me that the shifter throws are different lengths. The shifter indents and bezel inside cab may not match up to the shift indents in TC.
As mentioned, regardless of TC type, anytime the jeep is in motion the front driveshaft will turn.
Last edited by SteveMongr; 05-26-2018 at 05:39 AM.
If it is a 249 and it looks like it from the picture then as said before there is no 2wd. I wonder why someone would swap an np249 in an XJ, most people that have the 249 want to get rid of it.
The XJ didnt come with a 249, but the ZJ did. Being a 249, my guess is that the VC is shot. Thats the viscous coupler. Pull the 249 and replace it with a 242. The 242 has part time and full time 4wd capability. And doesnt use a VC. If you want a part time only transfer case, get a 231.
05-25-2018, 08:54 PM
Stuck On 4W part time on my XJ
