Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

I have a 99 Wrangler Sport.

I think I'm having a differential issue... I shift it into 4WD, it
engages.. the light comes on.. and all seems to be fine.

When I switch back, the light goes off, I do the little tap of the
gas... Nothing. I try backing up, lunging forward, nothing... No
'click'.

I ran it like this for weeks last winter not realizing it until my wife
pointed out she could watch the gas gauge going down. All of a sudden
the lost power and engine running higher RPMs started to make sense.

Anyway... I spent like 20 mins shifting in and out of 4WD and
eventually it did disengage..

Anyone have any advice on what I should be checking? I'm afraid to use
my 4WD...

Joseph

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

I would guess that your linkage is slightly out of adjustment. There is
a rod with a lock nut/bolt on it that sets it on the older ones.

I am not sure if they changed it on the TJ, but for the older ones, you
are supposed to put it in 4 low and use a 1/8" shim or drill bit between
the shifter and it's end gate to have it adjusted right.

I would guess yours is more like 1/4" gap or something like that...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/in...?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Ice wrote:
>
> I have a 99 Wrangler Sport.
>
> I think I'm having a differential issue... I shift it into 4WD, it
> engages.. the light comes on.. and all seems to be fine.
>
> When I switch back, the light goes off, I do the little tap of the
> gas... Nothing. I try backing up, lunging forward, nothing... No
> 'click'.
>
> I ran it like this for weeks last winter not realizing it until my wife
> pointed out she could watch the gas gauge going down. All of a sudden
> the lost power and engine running higher RPMs started to make sense.
>
> Anyway... I spent like 20 mins shifting in and out of 4WD and
> eventually it did disengage..
>
> Anyone have any advice on what I should be checking? I'm afraid to use
> my 4WD...
>
> Joseph

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

I would guess that your linkage is slightly out of adjustment. There is
a rod with a lock nut/bolt on it that sets it on the older ones.

I am not sure if they changed it on the TJ, but for the older ones, you
are supposed to put it in 4 low and use a 1/8" shim or drill bit between
the shifter and it's end gate to have it adjusted right.

I would guess yours is more like 1/4" gap or something like that...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/in...?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Ice wrote:
>
> I have a 99 Wrangler Sport.
>
> I think I'm having a differential issue... I shift it into 4WD, it
> engages.. the light comes on.. and all seems to be fine.
>
> When I switch back, the light goes off, I do the little tap of the
> gas... Nothing. I try backing up, lunging forward, nothing... No
> 'click'.
>
> I ran it like this for weeks last winter not realizing it until my wife
> pointed out she could watch the gas gauge going down. All of a sudden
> the lost power and engine running higher RPMs started to make sense.
>
> Anyway... I spent like 20 mins shifting in and out of 4WD and
> eventually it did disengage..
>
> Anyone have any advice on what I should be checking? I'm afraid to use
> my 4WD...
>
> Joseph

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

I would guess that your linkage is slightly out of adjustment. There is
a rod with a lock nut/bolt on it that sets it on the older ones.

I am not sure if they changed it on the TJ, but for the older ones, you
are supposed to put it in 4 low and use a 1/8" shim or drill bit between
the shifter and it's end gate to have it adjusted right.

I would guess yours is more like 1/4" gap or something like that...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/in...?id=2120343242
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Ice wrote:
>
> I have a 99 Wrangler Sport.
>
> I think I'm having a differential issue... I shift it into 4WD, it
> engages.. the light comes on.. and all seems to be fine.
>
> When I switch back, the light goes off, I do the little tap of the
> gas... Nothing. I try backing up, lunging forward, nothing... No
> 'click'.
>
> I ran it like this for weeks last winter not realizing it until my wife
> pointed out she could watch the gas gauge going down. All of a sudden
> the lost power and engine running higher RPMs started to make sense.
>
> Anyway... I spent like 20 mins shifting in and out of 4WD and
> eventually it did disengage..
>
> Anyone have any advice on what I should be checking? I'm afraid to use
> my 4WD...
>
> Joseph

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

It may be shifting out of 4wd anyway. It doesn't always make an audible
"click." when it shifts out, although it may delay shifting out for a few
seconds depending on the torque load in the T case. Tapping the thottle will
increase the torque load and do the opposite of what you want. If you have
an automatic, try shifting the tranny into neutral when shifting the tcase;
manual, let up on the gas or disengage the clutch.

All this is valid assuming what you are describing isn't actually being
stuck in 4 Lo.

"Ice" <joseph@vndinc.com> wrote in message
news:1134840935.033617.59260@z14g2000cwz.googlegro ups.com...
>I have a 99 Wrangler Sport.
>
> I think I'm having a differential issue... I shift it into 4WD, it
> engages.. the light comes on.. and all seems to be fine.
>
> When I switch back, the light goes off, I do the little tap of the
> gas... Nothing. I try backing up, lunging forward, nothing... No
> 'click'.
>
> I ran it like this for weeks last winter not realizing it until my wife
> pointed out she could watch the gas gauge going down. All of a sudden
> the lost power and engine running higher RPMs started to make sense.
>
> Anyway... I spent like 20 mins shifting in and out of 4WD and
> eventually it did disengage..
>
> Anyone have any advice on what I should be checking? I'm afraid to use
> my 4WD...
>
> Joseph
>

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

It may be shifting out of 4wd anyway. It doesn't always make an audible
"click." when it shifts out, although it may delay shifting out for a few
seconds depending on the torque load in the T case. Tapping the thottle will
increase the torque load and do the opposite of what you want. If you have
an automatic, try shifting the tranny into neutral when shifting the tcase;
manual, let up on the gas or disengage the clutch.

All this is valid assuming what you are describing isn't actually being
stuck in 4 Lo.

"Ice" <joseph@vndinc.com> wrote in message
news:1134840935.033617.59260@z14g2000cwz.googlegro ups.com...
>I have a 99 Wrangler Sport.
>
> I think I'm having a differential issue... I shift it into 4WD, it
> engages.. the light comes on.. and all seems to be fine.
>
> When I switch back, the light goes off, I do the little tap of the
> gas... Nothing. I try backing up, lunging forward, nothing... No
> 'click'.
>
> I ran it like this for weeks last winter not realizing it until my wife
> pointed out she could watch the gas gauge going down. All of a sudden
> the lost power and engine running higher RPMs started to make sense.
>
> Anyway... I spent like 20 mins shifting in and out of 4WD and
> eventually it did disengage..
>
> Anyone have any advice on what I should be checking? I'm afraid to use
> my 4WD...
>
> Joseph
>

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

It may be shifting out of 4wd anyway. It doesn't always make an audible
"click." when it shifts out, although it may delay shifting out for a few
seconds depending on the torque load in the T case. Tapping the thottle will
increase the torque load and do the opposite of what you want. If you have
an automatic, try shifting the tranny into neutral when shifting the tcase;
manual, let up on the gas or disengage the clutch.

All this is valid assuming what you are describing isn't actually being
stuck in 4 Lo.

"Ice" <joseph@vndinc.com> wrote in message
news:1134840935.033617.59260@z14g2000cwz.googlegro ups.com...
>I have a 99 Wrangler Sport.
>
> I think I'm having a differential issue... I shift it into 4WD, it
> engages.. the light comes on.. and all seems to be fine.
>
> When I switch back, the light goes off, I do the little tap of the
> gas... Nothing. I try backing up, lunging forward, nothing... No
> 'click'.
>
> I ran it like this for weeks last winter not realizing it until my wife
> pointed out she could watch the gas gauge going down. All of a sudden
> the lost power and engine running higher RPMs started to make sense.
>
> Anyway... I spent like 20 mins shifting in and out of 4WD and
> eventually it did disengage..
>
> Anyone have any advice on what I should be checking? I'm afraid to use
> my 4WD...
>
> Joseph
>

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

Matt,

Good info. I'll give that a shot when I finally do give 4WD a try.
Thanks.

The poor gas mileage and performance loss indicates strongly it is not
coming out of 4WD.

Joseph

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

Matt,

Good info. I'll give that a shot when I finally do give 4WD a try.
Thanks.

The poor gas mileage and performance loss indicates strongly it is not
coming out of 4WD.

Joseph

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

Matt,

Good info. I'll give that a shot when I finally do give 4WD a try.
Thanks.

The poor gas mileage and performance loss indicates strongly it is not
coming out of 4WD.

Joseph

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

I think there might be some other issues re: your mileage and performance
losses. Running in 4wd will give you somewhat less mileage & perfromance but
not a substantial loss...TJ's don't have front hub locks, so the front axle
and driveshaft are always spinning, even in 2wd. If you were in 4wd, you'd
feel the "bucking bronco" effect on sharp turns since the front and rear
axles are locked together.

"Ice" <joseph@vndinc.com> wrote in message
news:1134869366.212477.204060@g43g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> Matt,
>
> Good info. I'll give that a shot when I finally do give 4WD a try.
> Thanks.
>
> The poor gas mileage and performance loss indicates strongly it is not
> coming out of 4WD.
>
> Joseph
>

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

I think there might be some other issues re: your mileage and performance
losses. Running in 4wd will give you somewhat less mileage & perfromance but
not a substantial loss...TJ's don't have front hub locks, so the front axle
and driveshaft are always spinning, even in 2wd. If you were in 4wd, you'd
feel the "bucking bronco" effect on sharp turns since the front and rear
axles are locked together.

"Ice" <joseph@vndinc.com> wrote in message
news:1134869366.212477.204060@g43g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> Matt,
>
> Good info. I'll give that a shot when I finally do give 4WD a try.
> Thanks.
>
> The poor gas mileage and performance loss indicates strongly it is not
> coming out of 4WD.
>
> Joseph
>

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

I think there might be some other issues re: your mileage and performance
losses. Running in 4wd will give you somewhat less mileage & perfromance but
not a substantial loss...TJ's don't have front hub locks, so the front axle
and driveshaft are always spinning, even in 2wd. If you were in 4wd, you'd
feel the "bucking bronco" effect on sharp turns since the front and rear
axles are locked together.

"Ice" <joseph@vndinc.com> wrote in message
news:1134869366.212477.204060@g43g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> Matt,
>
> Good info. I'll give that a shot when I finally do give 4WD a try.
> Thanks.
>
> The poor gas mileage and performance loss indicates strongly it is not
> coming out of 4WD.
>
> Joseph
>

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

If it's actually in 4wd, there won't be ANY doubt. Just get in a
parking lot and turn the wheel to full lock. If you're in 4wd, it'll
kick and buck. If it doesn't, you're not.

Also, when you shift out of 4wd, do it this way...

Gas on, shift out (while accelerating), gas off. Keep your hand on the
shift lever the whole time. You'll feel a thunk in the lever when you
let off the gas. Do the same thing when going into 4hi. It'll never
give you a problem.

Ice wrote:
> Matt,
>
> Good info. I'll give that a shot when I finally do give 4WD a try.
> Thanks.
>
> The poor gas mileage and performance loss indicates strongly it is not
> coming out of 4WD.
>
> Joseph
>

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

If it's actually in 4wd, there won't be ANY doubt. Just get in a
parking lot and turn the wheel to full lock. If you're in 4wd, it'll
kick and buck. If it doesn't, you're not.

Also, when you shift out of 4wd, do it this way...

Gas on, shift out (while accelerating), gas off. Keep your hand on the
shift lever the whole time. You'll feel a thunk in the lever when you
let off the gas. Do the same thing when going into 4hi. It'll never
give you a problem.

Ice wrote:
> Matt,
>
> Good info. I'll give that a shot when I finally do give 4WD a try.
> Thanks.
>
> The poor gas mileage and performance loss indicates strongly it is not
> coming out of 4WD.
>
> Joseph
>

Re: Different question about shifting from 2WD to 4WD
 

If it's actually in 4wd, there won't be ANY doubt. Just get in a
parking lot and turn the wheel to full lock. If you're in 4wd, it'll
kick and buck. If it doesn't, you're not.

Also, when you shift out of 4wd, do it this way...

Gas on, shift out (while accelerating), gas off. Keep your hand on the
shift lever the whole time. You'll feel a thunk in the lever when you
let off the gas. Do the same thing when going into 4hi. It'll never
give you a problem.

Ice wrote:
> Matt,
>
> Good info. I'll give that a shot when I finally do give 4WD a try.
> Thanks.
>
> The poor gas mileage and performance loss indicates strongly it is not
> coming out of 4WD.
>
> Joseph
>