4 wheel drive

I have a 2001 cherokee,automatic, and it won't go into 4 wheel drive anymore , any ideas where I should start??

is the shift lever moving? or is it frozen up?

if it does move it there any grinding noise... if so try it with the engine off...

more details would be helpful

You have a Cherokee...not a Grand Cherokee...right?

There are only two style of transfercases.. part-time and full time (231 and 242). Shifting is controllled mechanically. Look underneath to see if linkage is disconnected or jammed.

Try what 96Chero...says...try it with the engine off...

Yes the linkage is intacked , and is moving when engaged. Tried it with engine off in both standard range and low range, and nothing. Also tried with engine on and in drive and also in neutral still nothing. Doesn't feel like it is in 4 wheel nor does the indicator light up on dash !

Yes linkage is hooked up and is moving when shifting. Tried it both with engine off and running, and with trans. in drive and also neutral, and also in park still nothing. Also does not feel like it is engaging.Any other ideas??

my light does not work either but two ways to check if its engaged it to

get all four tires up in the air and try it see if they all spin...... or

or dry road at low speed make a hard and see if grabs when the wheel is all the way turned

I don't know if tis is the right way to do yhis , but here goes.....
This summer I bought a Jeep cherokee, thete was no owners man. Could some one thell me how to use the 4 wheel drive or can iI get Free Instructions on line?

Hi PETED73, Welcome to AF.

Next time, to get a little more attention to your post, go to "Cherokee" at the top of this page, click on it, then click on "New Thread" near the upper left (NewThread is at the same position on that page as Post Reply is on this one, at the top.

4wd operation: You have 1 of 2 systems. Either your 4wd handle (shift lever for transfer case) has the positions:
2wd
4 part time
4 full time
N(eutral)
4 Low
Then you have the NV242 transfer case,

in which case you only have to pull the handle back to 4 part time or full time while on the move to go to 4wd. Part Time should only be used where there isn't much traction (off road, deep snow, the beach, etc) while Full Time can be used anywhere, anytime. For maximum traction on slippery surfaces, you'll want to use Part Time.

The 4 Low is engaged like this: with the transfer case in 4 Full Time, coast your vehicle at 3-5 mph with the transmission in neutral. I think it says push down for the 4Low setting, so push down and pull back to engage. There should be slight grind as it goes in. 4 Low is only for low speed driving on slippery surfaces. I generally use 4 Low on the beach in deep sand.

You can also check out this thread:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=665533

and this one, where there's some good discussion about using 4wd. Even though it's Grand Cherokee, the same stuff applies:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=651106


Happy wheeling!

lilfur, have you inspected your vacuum lines going to the front diff?

Transfer Case Switch (231 4wd) - Black 2 Way Cav Circuit Function
A G107 20bk/rd 4wd Switch Sense (part-time)
B Z1 20bk Ground

Transfer Case Switch (242 4wd) - Black 4 Way Cav Circuit Function
A Z1 20bk Ground
B G106 20bk/wt 4wd Switch Sense (full-time)
C - -
D G107 20bk/rd 4wd Switch Sense (part-time)

Transfer Case Switch Illumination - Black 2 Way Cav Circuit Function
1 E2 20or Fused Panel Lamps Dimmer Switch Signal
2 Z1 20bk Ground

lilfur, have you inspected your vacuum lines going to the front diff?

FYI...The 2001 model does not use a vaccum motor setup.
They stopped using that quite a few year before.

Thanks for the info AB, I obviously can't afford anything that new :D

Hey Lilfur...have you got that going yet???

I must say, I love the Jeep XJ's four wheel drive because you can leave it in two wheel drive if there is a problem.

Unlike some of the all wheel drives that you have nowadays...