1990 selec trac question

I am new to this Jeep and this is the first real snow driving I have had to do so I was wondering with the 242 if there is a "feel" to being in 4hi full and 4hi part. The reason is when I shift from 2w you have to come through part time to get to full time. Even though the shift lever says 4full the indicator light says part time and does for quite a while. Could this be a light issue or is my transfer case really not in 4 full unless the light says so? I have tried all the tricks of letting off the gas, slowing down, slight brake pressure, and I have not noticed any of these changing the light. I have the same issue when disengaging. As soon as I take it out of full the light goes to part time but when I keep moving the lever to 2w the light still indicates part time sometimes until I turn it off and then come back and restart it. I just don't want to be taking a chance on driving on less slick roads or even dry roads with it in part time. What to do or look for???????

Mine usually takes a bit to go from 4wd to 2wd; it will indicate Part Time on the dash for maybe 100 yards, and usually disengages with a clunk. What you mentioned, that is let off and back on the gas, brake lightly, etc, usually works but sometimes a little turn or two will help to unbind and let it disengage. I've had a 2000 and 2004 GC with the 4.0 and Select Trac, and my wife had a 1999 Cherokee, and all were the same. If you have automatic transmission, then letting off the gas might not have as much effect, so shifting to 2nd or 3rd depending on speed might help to create a little slack in the system, which is all you're looking for to allow it to shift.

I haven't had an issue with any of them shifting slowly from 2wd to 4wd.

Have you changed the fluid in the transfer case? Some fresh fluid might help it shift better (and is recommended every 30-50k, at least in my model year).


As far as the feel, in PT you'll have binding while turning, because the transfer case is locked, while in Full Time you won't, but you'd have to be turning to feel the difference.

Hope all that helps....

Yes that does help. Thank you.

Great! Enjoy the Jeep.

How many miles are on your jeep. I too have the 242 T-case and had long periods before the dash light would indicate the t-case selection. I found that the T-case was full of gear oil! I drained it out and filled with mercron and the problem went away. Try this, I beleive it holds 2.5 quarts.

188,000 and still running strong. Thanks a bunch for the heads up. I am planning on replacing all my fluids as soon as my garage is not freezing. I will see if that helps this problem.