beasticles
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Northern VA
I have waited a while to post this because so many people have similar problems and it is usually the t-case linkage needing adjustment or the internals of the t-case needing attention. However, I have searched and searched, and I have collectively over 6 hours of t-case adjustment time on my XJ in without fixing the issue. I am this close to taking into the shop :scared:, so I figured I would post up the issue before doing so to see if any of you have ideas.
I installed my Advanced Adapters SYE and Adam's Driveshaft in my 2000 automatic AW4 XJ with an np231 with a RE 3.5" superride lift back in March. First time doing an SYE. It went surprisingly well. I have put about 2,000 miles on the Jeep since the install and everything works great - it got rid of my driveline vibes - all seems solid.
I have only had this XJ since February. I only tried out the 4wd twice before the SYE install - once test driving and once on a snowy day. I say this because I am not familiar with how the transfer-case shifter behaved before installing my SYE.
After installing me SYE I tested shifting into 4wd. Being used to a manual TJ (my prior vehicle), where the transfer case would shift into 4WD at any time (didn't have to be in neutral), like an idiot I tried to shift into 4wd in the XJ while in 'drive' (not in neutral like you're supposed to I came to find out) and it wouldn't shift into 4HI. Instead of checking online like I should have done, I tried a few more times to force it and finally it "jammed" into 4HI while in drive. I also managed to "jam" it into 4LO. I drove it in both 4HI and 4LO temporarily and the 4WD operated as it should. I then "jammed it back out to 2HI.
After this, thinking it was strange it was so difficult to shift the t-case, I looked up online and saw you need to shift into 4WD while in neutral. I know you all are going to think I am an idiot - trust me I felt like one. But you live and you learn.
I haven't had a need to shift the transfer case into 4HI since that time. The wife and I were planning to head to OBX a month ago and, thinking I would do a little beach driving, I decided to check how the 4wd was functioning. I found that when I pulled the t-case shifter into 4-hi, it would slip right back down to 2HI on it's own. If I hold the t-case shifter in 4HI, 4WD does engage and operates correctly, but only if I hold the shifter in place. I also can shift into 4LO while rolling in neutral, but then it becomes difficult to shift back out of 4LO into 4HI and 2HI. When I do manage to get it into 4HI or 4LO, the 4WD operates as it should without any bad noises or other symptoms of something mechanical being wrong.
So I looked online and based on the symptoms I was describing, it seemed the general guidance was to adjust your t-case linkage. No problem - I adjusted the t-case linkage following the factory instructions (shifting into 4LO and then adjusting the linkage by loosening the bolt and greasing the shift rod) - no luck. I probably spent about 6 hours adjusting, checking, driving and then repeating the process with no luck. I had my father-in-law hold the shifter in position while I tried to adjust the linkage - no luck.
The linkage underneath the vehicle looks okay visually, and I can shift it into 4HI manually by moving the shift rod under the vehicle.
Short of pulling the t-case apart, I question if maybe I busted one of the bushings on my t-case linkage? If not, what would I have possibly messed up within the np231 by forcing it into 4HI while in the 'drive' gear? The fact that 4WD operates correctly when I manage to get it in gear, leads me to believe it's something with the linkage, but I really don't know.
Any input is much appreciated. There is a somewhat local 4WD shop I trust that I will take it to if I can't figure it out, but would love to save the coin. Thanks for your help!
I installed my Advanced Adapters SYE and Adam's Driveshaft in my 2000 automatic AW4 XJ with an np231 with a RE 3.5" superride lift back in March. First time doing an SYE. It went surprisingly well. I have put about 2,000 miles on the Jeep since the install and everything works great - it got rid of my driveline vibes - all seems solid.
I have only had this XJ since February. I only tried out the 4wd twice before the SYE install - once test driving and once on a snowy day. I say this because I am not familiar with how the transfer-case shifter behaved before installing my SYE.
After installing me SYE I tested shifting into 4wd. Being used to a manual TJ (my prior vehicle), where the transfer case would shift into 4WD at any time (didn't have to be in neutral), like an idiot I tried to shift into 4wd in the XJ while in 'drive' (not in neutral like you're supposed to I came to find out) and it wouldn't shift into 4HI. Instead of checking online like I should have done, I tried a few more times to force it and finally it "jammed" into 4HI while in drive. I also managed to "jam" it into 4LO. I drove it in both 4HI and 4LO temporarily and the 4WD operated as it should. I then "jammed it back out to 2HI.
After this, thinking it was strange it was so difficult to shift the t-case, I looked up online and saw you need to shift into 4WD while in neutral. I know you all are going to think I am an idiot - trust me I felt like one. But you live and you learn.
I haven't had a need to shift the transfer case into 4HI since that time. The wife and I were planning to head to OBX a month ago and, thinking I would do a little beach driving, I decided to check how the 4wd was functioning. I found that when I pulled the t-case shifter into 4-hi, it would slip right back down to 2HI on it's own. If I hold the t-case shifter in 4HI, 4WD does engage and operates correctly, but only if I hold the shifter in place. I also can shift into 4LO while rolling in neutral, but then it becomes difficult to shift back out of 4LO into 4HI and 2HI. When I do manage to get it into 4HI or 4LO, the 4WD operates as it should without any bad noises or other symptoms of something mechanical being wrong.
So I looked online and based on the symptoms I was describing, it seemed the general guidance was to adjust your t-case linkage. No problem - I adjusted the t-case linkage following the factory instructions (shifting into 4LO and then adjusting the linkage by loosening the bolt and greasing the shift rod) - no luck. I probably spent about 6 hours adjusting, checking, driving and then repeating the process with no luck. I had my father-in-law hold the shifter in position while I tried to adjust the linkage - no luck.
The linkage underneath the vehicle looks okay visually, and I can shift it into 4HI manually by moving the shift rod under the vehicle.
Short of pulling the t-case apart, I question if maybe I busted one of the bushings on my t-case linkage? If not, what would I have possibly messed up within the np231 by forcing it into 4HI while in the 'drive' gear? The fact that 4WD operates correctly when I manage to get it in gear, leads me to believe it's something with the linkage, but I really don't know.
Any input is much appreciated. There is a somewhat local 4WD shop I trust that I will take it to if I can't figure it out, but would love to save the coin. Thanks for your help!
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