Hey, I've got a rookie question here for more experienced JK owners. I can't seem to get the t-case to shift down into 4L smoothly. I have the clutch pressed, and I will let it slowly crawl to help it roll in better, but it only pulls half in. Some time it won't engage at all but the shifter doesn't return to neutral either. If it does engage, I let the clutch full out and get rolling and I have to apply soft pressure to push the t-case fully into 4L and then the shifter will seat down properly. I tried letting the clutch out a little while trying to get it to fully seat in gear, but that made a grind in the t-case so I let up right away, it only works if I let the clutch out full first, then it pops in no problem but, I have to get rolling first to let it seat in gear proper. I have not been able to get the t-case fully seated in one movement. It just goes soft and spongy when I try to pull it down into gear, and won't pull down. What am I doing wrong? I grew up with chevy trucks, whenever I would pull one of them into 4L, it would just pull all in and seat right away. It's like the jeep wont let it in. Am I going too fast when I shift?, too slow? It really is a super slow crawl when I shift, otherwise it just won't pull in at all.

I am embarrassed to ask, but if anyone can tell me what I am doing wrong I would appreciate it. Thanks.

 

I am not really up and up on these JK's. I am old school with the xj/yj/tj but try it at a dead stop also I'd say crawl underneath and make sure the rods aren't bent (it is a 2013 so that shudn't be the problem) It could be a different system I haven't laid on my back under a jk so cannot give a positive reply. Never be embarrassed or think a question is silly were all here for one thing HELP and if you don't ask you'll never get a reply.

 

It has finally warmed up enough to crawl under it for a proper look. It is a cable that shifts the t-case. It looks OK, near as I can tell. Maybe it's a tension issue. It has done it since new, so that is why I figured I am doing something wrong.

 

Two things work for me.
1) rolling slightly (1-2 mph), transmission shifted to neutral, move 4 wheel drive shifter into 4 low with a steady, firm motion. If it doesn't click in right away, leave it in neutral for a second or two to let the jeep roll another foot or so and try again. Don't force it unless you have spare plastic shift cable bushings.
2) Usually my t-case lets me shift if I am at a full stop. I only try it on slight hills so I can roll if needed.

 

From the 2011 owner manual.....

This range locks the front and rear driveshafts together,
forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. This range (4L) provides additional traction and
maximum pulling power for loose, slippery road surfaces
only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
The “4WD Indicator Light” (located in the instrument
cluster) will illuminate when the transfer case is shifted
into the 4L position.
NOTE: When in 4WD, the “ESC Off Indicator Light”
will display in the instrument cluster.