I got my cherokee about a month ago it's my second one except this one is a manual. A couple weeks after I got it and I wanted to try out the 4 wheel on it. So I put it in part time and no part time light came on. I'm almost positive that the part time actually works that just something is not working like a fuse sensor or bulb or something. After that I tried putting it low but when I did nothing happens. I know that it has to he in neutral when I'm in low but when I pressed the excel it just revved. So I tried putting it in first and seeing if it wasn't even going in and when I did that it didn't sound good at all so I took that out right away. Any feedback is appreciated
Sorry to hear your new rig is disappointing you , especially the four - wheel system , the very purpose of it's existence .
The light will be easy , just pull out the plastic bezel carefully and the bulb will be right there to change should that be the cause.
That is the least of concern right now , the transfer case and/or shift linkage needs to be addressed to confirm operation .
Time to get dirty. Of course you will want to do a full inspection of all components ( u-joints , wheel bearings , the list goes on )
as there is enough work right there , but for now , the t-case needs to be diagnosed if it is working right or not .
The fact that it is a Manuel trans worries me that someone may have been abusive at engaging four wheel without a deft touch and had trouble properly shifting through desired ranges improperly . I owned a 78' jeep cherokee with a top loader 4-speed and a 2-speed transfer case and remember that torque will not allow you to select a range until you unload the torque . You must be standing still , clutch in and allow a moment for the shafts to stop rolling to engage gears . No synchronizers to assist .
If you are on a grade , drive shaft torque will hamper shifting as well . This is all part of learning to operate our rigs the way they were meant to be operated under what conditions we may be operating under . It's easier with an auto trans , but I know you know that . First check the t-case oil level , while your there , check the main trans too . Low oil level doesn't exactly help things , but we need to know its got lube . We don't want destruction . You will need a second person to assist you next .
With the engine off and some wheel chocks to prevent rolling too far , you can try to engage the transfer shift without engine power causing grinding . Whether you can manipulate the t-case into gear by rolling the jeep some as shift is pulled with main in or out of gear will take some trying , but you want to know , can you engage your four wheel gears . You mentioned you have part time , I believe you may have the NP 242 if that is what was installed in a '99 but it sounds like you have the same system I have in my '92 with auto trans . If you can now engage four wheel low range ( assuming there is no trouble with part and full time ? ) , with clutch in , start engine and try to take off SLOWLY . Listen for unwanted squeals or grind . Hope that is not the issue . That would be binding gears and bushings due to low lubricant or abuse . Lets not put the whammy on your new rig but a proper diagnostic is in order . If low works satisfactory , carefully try to get through neutral into full time . If you cannot access low no matter what you do ( if grinding or squealing is heard on engine start up , kill the engine immediately ! ) , there may be a bent or broken shift fork or shift rod internally . Not what you wanted to hear , but you need to know what is wrong .
