96 jeep grand cherokee limited unattached hose

Okay, I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited v8 4x4. One morning when I was going to leave, I noticed a small hose semingly hanging down from my engine almost to the ground. Its not more than 1/4 an inch thick. Anyways, today I followed it and it runs into the top of my front axel. My 4wheel drive low has not worked since i got the jeep so I was wondering if this random unattached hose could have something to do with it and where the other end goes. Thanks.

Sounds like a vent tube.

Bring it up and tie it down with a tie wrap. It is there so when you go through a river, water will not get in the front drive axle and mix with the oil.
It is supposed to have a plastic vent cover that slips into it at the top end.
This allow your Jeep to ford about three feet of water. Did you lift it? Sometimes it comes off when you do a lift. Look at the back axle, it should have the same system there.

It is a vent hose, wouldn't cause your 4wd low not to work. This hose should come up from the axle into the engine compartment and then clip onto the side of the air filter box (there should be three clips in the shape of an upside down U).

what if it is not a vent hose and is actually a vacuum line which actuates the axle connect solenoid in the diff ? like the chevy s-10'solder jeep cherokees used these also