96 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3in lift 4wd problem
11-05-2017, 09:47 AM
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96 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3in lift 4wd problem
i have a 96 grand Cherokee with a 3 in lift on it, 250k miles, I just acquired this vehicle and have been putting work into it but with winter coming I’d like to get 4wd working. On my light up display it has only ever shown the front 2 tires lit up. Until recently I never messed with the 4wd but the shifter has always been in 4w full.
I’ve tried shifting into all of them and I never hear or feel it kicking in or any type of shifting into another gear. Nor does anything but my 2 front tires stay lit up. It used 2 be a mud toy to the previous owners and it has sat for 2 years. What could it possibly be? Is it worth fixing or is the Jeep too high mileage? Just starting to drive Jeeps. Help please
I’ve tried shifting into all of them and I never hear or feel it kicking in or any type of shifting into another gear. Nor does anything but my 2 front tires stay lit up. It used 2 be a mud toy to the previous owners and it has sat for 2 years. What could it possibly be? Is it worth fixing or is the Jeep too high mileage? Just starting to drive Jeeps. Help please
11-07-2017, 09:04 PM
#3
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Sounds like its time to do some noggin pokin. Crawl under the jeep on the drivers side. Look at where the 4wd shifter pokes out of the floor. You should see that it has some linkage that connects it to the transfer case. Give it a good look over and if you see something odd, post a picture of it.
11-08-2017, 03:10 PM
#4
Old fart with a wrench
While you're under there, look at the round red tag on the back off the transfer case. It should be either a NP249 or a NP242. If it's a NP242, the shift quadrant by the seats should have 2wd, 4wd Part time, 4wd Full time, N, and 4lo.
11-08-2017, 03:21 PM
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it has what you mentioned on the shifter. Nothing shifts or changes when I try to shift gears.
11-08-2017, 07:48 PM
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I'm new to this myself, but I read that when shifting between 2WD, 4 Part, and 4 Full, it does not always take hold right away. Couple things to try...
1)shift while moving. Not freeway speeds, prob under 35.
2) shift while in neutral.
3) try going in reverse after you shift for a short distance, then go forward and see if it doesn't take.
1)shift while moving. Not freeway speeds, prob under 35.
2) shift while in neutral.
3) try going in reverse after you shift for a short distance, then go forward and see if it doesn't take.
11-08-2017, 08:09 PM
#7
Old fart with a wrench
Na, if it's doing nothing, I'm willing to bet it's a linkage problem. A 242 shifts instantly and positively without delay. It's all mechanical, no electronics involved. I've driven about 300K miles with 2 of them. The hardest part is getting into and out of low range, only because of meshing the gears. The rest of the ranges you can get on-the-fly just by lifting your foot and shifting. Heck, I went from 2wd to 4wd full time at 50 mph when hitting some ice on the highway! Not recommended, but it worked.
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11-08-2017, 08:29 PM
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The first time I used my 242 in 4 wheel, I couldn't get it out. Managed to finally get it into at least 4 wheel full time so I could drive on the pavement. That's when I started doing some research and got the tip about going in reverse. Now if it gets stuck, that seems to work. Who knows. I have fresh fluid in the t case (dex iii) but did not seem to fix it.
I thought at first it was just the light in the dash, but doesn’t take alot to realize when you are in 4 part time on pavement
fyi..stupid names Mr Jeep engineers. Don't name something assuming how often I want to use it. Full 4wd should mean fully locked 4wd and 4wd Part should mean it allows differential slipping. Not the other way around.
I thought at first it was just the light in the dash, but doesn’t take alot to realize when you are in 4 part time on pavement
fyi..stupid names Mr Jeep engineers. Don't name something assuming how often I want to use it. Full 4wd should mean fully locked 4wd and 4wd Part should mean it allows differential slipping. Not the other way around.
11-08-2017, 08:33 PM
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Na, if it's doing nothing, I'm willing to bet it's a linkage problem. A 242 shifts instantly and positively without delay. It's all mechanical, no electronics involved. I've driven about 300K miles with 2 of them. The hardest part is getting into and out of low range, only because of meshing the gears. The rest of the ranges you can get on-the-fly just by lifting your foot and shifting. Heck, I went from 2wd to 4wd full time at 50 mph when hitting some ice on the highway! Not recommended, but it worked.
The first time I used my 242 in 4 wheel, I couldn't get it out. Managed to finally get it into at least 4 wheel full time so I could drive on the pavement. That's when I started doing some research and got the tip about going in reverse. Now if it gets stuck, that seems to work. Who knows. I have fresh fluid in the t case (dex iii) but did not seem to fix it.
I thought at first it was just the light in the dash, but doesn’t take alot to realize when you are in 4 part time on pavement
fyi..stupid names Mr Jeep engineers. Don't name something assuming how often I want to use it. Full 4wd should mean fully locked 4wd and 4wd Part should mean it allows differential slipping. Not the other way around.
I thought at first it was just the light in the dash, but doesn’t take alot to realize when you are in 4 part time on pavement
fyi..stupid names Mr Jeep engineers. Don't name something assuming how often I want to use it. Full 4wd should mean fully locked 4wd and 4wd Part should mean it allows differential slipping. Not the other way around.
Sounds like its time to do some noggin pokin. Crawl under the jeep on the drivers side. Look at where the 4wd shifter pokes out of the floor. You should see that it has some linkage that connects it to the transfer case. Give it a good look over and if you see something odd, post a picture of it.
11-08-2017, 08:44 PM
#10
Old fart with a wrench
Depending on your year, you should have ATF+4 in that 242 and have you lubed the linkage if you don't have a cable shifted 99 or newer?
BTW Full time means it can be used at any time. Part time means you should only use it on slippery surfaces. Seems pretty plain it me.
The 249 is only 4wd full time, some of them low range is part time.
The 231 is part time in 4wd.
In my opinion, the 242 is the most versatile, reliable, and has the least amount of problems of any of the jeep t/cases. When I went looking for my WJ, I bought one specifically with that t/case.
BTW Full time means it can be used at any time. Part time means you should only use it on slippery surfaces. Seems pretty plain it me.
The 249 is only 4wd full time, some of them low range is part time.
The 231 is part time in 4wd.
In my opinion, the 242 is the most versatile, reliable, and has the least amount of problems of any of the jeep t/cases. When I went looking for my WJ, I bought one specifically with that t/case.
11-08-2017, 08:52 PM
#11
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I think a 231 is the most reliable and every one I have driven has engaged and disengaged 4x4 almost instantly. My 242 is picky I usually have to back up a few feet or drive a few hundred feet before it will switch. However I would take a 242 over a 249 any day.
11-08-2017, 09:03 PM
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Funny how people interpret things different. When I see Full...I expect Fully in 4whd. When I see Part, I think Partially in 4 whd.
What if I lived in a location that had snow on the ground much of the year. I would be in "part time" 4wd full time (aka 24/7)
if they wanted to name it appropriately, it should refer to the condition of road, not the time span in which they think I would need it.
but now we know so it is what it is... there are always label makers
oh fyi, I have a 93...so from what I read.. dex3/Mercon...not ATF4
What if I lived in a location that had snow on the ground much of the year. I would be in "part time" 4wd full time (aka 24/7)
if they wanted to name it appropriately, it should refer to the condition of road, not the time span in which they think I would need it.
but now we know so it is what it is... there are always label makers
oh fyi, I have a 93...so from what I read.. dex3/Mercon...not ATF4
11-08-2017, 09:07 PM
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11-08-2017, 09:08 PM
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Depending on your year, you should have ATF+4 in that 242 and have you lubed the linkage if you don't have a cable shifted 99 or newer?
BTW Full time means it can be used at any time. Part time means you should only use it on slippery surfaces. Seems pretty plain it me.
The 249 is only 4wd full time, some of them low range is part time.
The 231 is part time in 4wd.
In my opinion, the 242 is the most versatile, reliable, and has the least amount of problems of any of the jeep t/cases. When I went looking for my WJ, I bought one specifically with that t/case.
BTW Full time means it can be used at any time. Part time means you should only use it on slippery surfaces. Seems pretty plain it me.
The 249 is only 4wd full time, some of them low range is part time.
The 231 is part time in 4wd.
In my opinion, the 242 is the most versatile, reliable, and has the least amount of problems of any of the jeep t/cases. When I went looking for my WJ, I bought one specifically with that t/case.