4X4 Dash Lights

[98XJLongBuild]

Hey ya'll. Hope the wheeling been going good. Hopefully this is an easy one. Did the research and came up with nothing.

When I shift into either 4 high or 4 low, the light in the dash that only comes up is the "Part Time" light. There is also a "Full Time" light that I can see but the light has never come on. I've pulled the gauge cluster out and checked all the light bulbs and they are all working.

Is the "Full Time" light ever suppose to come on, on a 98 Sport with the 4.0 I6. Im not sure what transfer case is in it, I'm pretty sure it is what originaly came in it from the factory.

If this is an easy one please be gentle.

Thanks

 

[joe_peters]

That depends on the TRANSFER CASE installed in your XJ.

NP231 Command-Trac is 2WD/4HI/N/4LO, has no "full time" option.

NP242 Selec-Trac is 2WD/4x4 Part Time/4x4 Full Time/N/4LO.

All of the instrument clusters have the full-time light position, but only NP242 equipped vehicles will have a bulb in that spot.

 

[98XJLongBuild]

Well on the shifter it has 2 HI / 4X4 HI / N / 4X4 LOW. Not sure if that helps. Also I know there is a tag on the back of the transfer. I'll get that info and put it up.

 

[RCP Phx]

Then you have a NP231 and only part time,the other indicator is just there because the instrument cluster is generic.

 

[joe_peters]

Then you have a NP231 and only part time,the other indicator is just there because the instrument cluster is generic.

Exactly.

 

[UKJEEP]

In my (limited - sorry, no pun intended) experience, once you've moved the lever, what's showing on the dash display has little to do with what's going on in the transfer box.

 

[Cottontail]

It could be something as simple as the wiring isn't working. Mine for example. I can run in 4 and my lights simply don't light up at all, even though I am certainly in 4. I've talked to a few others with this situaiton as well.

As long as the truck is actually in 4 wd and doing what it is supposed to be doing, I'd say live with it!

 

[87manche]

In my (limited - sorry, no pun intended) experience, once you've moved the lever, what's showing on the dash display has little to do with what's going on in the transfer box.

that depends. The early ones ran the light from the vacuum disconnect at the axle, so the disconnect could work, but the case may not be all the way in gear.

It could be something as simple as the wiring isn't working. Mine for example. I can run in 4 and my lights simply don't light up at all, even though I am certainly in 4. I've talked to a few others with this situaiton as well.

As long as the truck is actually in 4 wd and doing what it is supposed to be doing, I'd say live with it!

Check the switch at the transfercase, it has wires/vacuum lines (depending on year) it's usually the culprit for not working dash lights.

the light is nice to have for when you forget to put it in 2wd when going back to the pavement, and your whole jeep gets pissy about the driveline being locked up. Then it gets stuck because the chain is tensioned.

 

[CharlesS]

Would be interesting to see IF he does in fact have either the Command Trac or Select Trac transfercase.
There is a possibility that since he isn't the original owner; the transfercase and shift selector could be mis matched due to a prior swap.

If he does in fact have a NP231 with the proper transfercase shift selector; then there is more than likely a wiring problem.

 

[kastein]

that depends. The early ones ran the light from the vacuum disconnect at the axle, so the disconnect could work, but the case may not be all the way in gear.


Check the switch at the transfercase, it has wires/vacuum lines (depending on year) it's usually the culprit for not working dash lights.

the light is nice to have for when you forget to put it in 2wd when going back to the pavement, and your whole jeep gets pissy about the driveline being locked up. Then it gets stuck because the chain is tensioned.

X2.

My only reason for caring about the parttime light is because it tells me I actually managed to get the TC shifted into 4WD. I have to shift with a prybar since the linkage is FUBAR and I haven't cared enough to fix it yet.

You probably have a 231 transfer case, the number should be stamped on that red and silver round tag on the back of the case.

 

[87manche]

X2.

My only reason for caring about the parttime light is because it tells me I actually managed to get the TC shifted into 4WD. I have to shift with a prybar since the linkage is FUBAR and I haven't cared enough to fix it yet.

You probably have a 231 transfer case, the number should be stamped on that red and silver round tag on the back of the case.

you should switch to a hammer, hammers always fix things.

 

[willsmysticcobra]

I am having the same issue with my part time light not illuminating. I see that advance auto parts has the switch for $16 bucks. Now I am sitting here at my desk with my haynes but I don`t see where this switch goes. Is it an easy fix or does it require a t-case drop?

~ Will

 

[joe_peters]

I am having the same issue with my part time light not illuminating. I see that advance auto parts has the switch for $16 bucks. Now I am sitting here at my desk with my haynes but I don`t see where this switch goes. Is it an easy fix or does it require a t-case drop?

~ Will

Easy fix, wrong switch.

A**uming you want a switch for your 99 XJ, same switch for NP231/242. IIRC after about 1994 the vacuum style switch was no longer used on the NP231.

Less than $9 at rockauto.com

Location depends on the transfer case you have. NP231 it is located on the driver's side of the front case half just above the shift tab. NP242 IIRC it is in the rear half of the case, driver's side, by the output yoke.

 

[willsmysticcobra]

Excellent, thank you for the pointers!