definitive 4wd help thread

[maddmax91]

well ive been scouring the threads lately for help with the 4wd on my '98, and have found tons of information. tons. so much that its hard to keep track of.

so i was hoping that you guys wouldnt mind making a definitive list of solutions for my problem, so i dont have to keep posting after every suggestion fails.

so heres my problem: no 4wd. its winter and ive tried to put my jeep into 4lo and no luck, no light, no increased control. I know the proper way to engage 4wd and still no luck.

my dad said if its a transmission problem itll cost more than the Jeep is worth, but i know from you guys that there are a boatload of other reasons 4wd wouldn't work.

so if you guys could help me out and list possible reasons and ways to fix them so that the most novice of a mechanic (me) could figure them out i would greatly appreciate it!!!

-max

[rketr]

Would help a bit to get some info...

You posted in the TJ section so I'll assume thats what you have.

Engine, tires, lift don't make a difference so we'll skip that. You are able to drive it so it wouldn't be your transmission.

What happens when you put it in 4-hi? in 4-lo?

Two ways you could check to see if 4-wheel is even working:
1) put all 4 corners up on jack stands and see if the front tires move (not a fan of this one)
2) disconnect the rear drive shaft and drive in front wheel drive

If the front tires don't go, you have a problem with your transfer case. If thats the case, it is either simply not engaging (a problem with the 4-wheel drive activator linkage) or a problem internally (i.e. the chain in a NP231 has broken).

[AzTJ]

rketr is on the money. Either the shift linkage is broken, or there is an issue internally to the transfercase(not the transmission).

I'd suggest the removal of the rear driveshaft method to see if its engaging at all.

How much resistance are you getting from the linkage when shifting the transfercase?