No 4LO 249, check 4 wheel drive switch?

country_boy454 · Mar 26, 2009

While out doing some light snow wheeling with a buddy of mine yesterday, he got his Blazer stuck in a waterhole so I backed up to him and hooked up the tow strap. I went to put it into 4 LO and the lever went all the way back. Felt as if it engaged and the VIC even said 4LO on it. So I go and put the transmission in 1 and all of a sudden a loud grinding noise and no movement. Also noticed the t-case shifter came out of 4LO. I thought ok try it again. So I gave it a little more force and it felt like it locked in. Put it in drive this time and same thing happened. This time the VIC was beeping at me to check 4 wheel drive switch.

Could the linkage need to be adjusted or is the t-case on its way out. It's the NP249. When I first received this vehicle it locked into 4LO just fine. Where is the 4 wheel drive switch located?

85IrocZ-28 · Mar 26, 2009

It sounds like you just need to adjust the linkage. If it isn't properly adjusted, it will come out of 4LO. Hopefully no major damage was done.

I had the "check 4 wheel drive switch" light come on once randomly on my 95, but it never came on again...Not sure why yours did.

country_boy454 · Mar 26, 2009

How hard is it to adjust? Never done it before. As soon as it started the grinding noise I popped the transmission into N and it stopped. I don't think it lasted longer than say 2 seconds both times.

97ZJ_guy · Mar 27, 2009

Mine was doing the same thing, I just adjusted the linkage and now shes all better.

OUTCAST · Mar 28, 2009

its actually pretty easy to adjust, if it isnt rusted solid.

Jsut look under the jeep, andfind the linkage, it will be self explanatory from there.

country_boy454 · Mar 28, 2009

OUTCAST said:
its actually pretty easy to adjust, if it isnt rusted solid.

Jsut look under the jeep, andfind the linkage, it will be self explanatory from there.

Knowing my luck and the fact it has been in MN for the 13yrs of its life, it is probably rusted solid..... I'll soak it with Aero Kroil before attempting to adjust it. Gonna wait for it to warm up though.

thorton0 · Mar 28, 2009

my zj does the same thing. i have to hold the 4wd lever back in 4lo as i put it in d,2, or 1. then i will feel it lock in. it sucks, but it works

85IrocZ-28 · Mar 28, 2009

To see which way to adjust, just have someone get in the Jeep with the engine off and foot on the brakes. Have them move it to 4LO. This will show you which direction it is adjusting in. Then adjust the linkage so that it forces the t-case lever further in that direction.

country_boy454 · Mar 28, 2009

85IrocZ-28 said:
To see which way to adjust, just have someone get in the Jeep with the engine off and foot on the brakes. Have them move it to 4LO. This will show you which direction it is adjusting in. Then adjust the linkage so that it forces the t-case lever further in that direction.

Thanks. Sounds easy enough!

doginjeep · Apr 20, 2009

i am having the same problem on my 96. i adjusted the linkage to make a more positive engagement, but it still won't stay in 4Lo. Ideas? maybe if the motor or tranny mounts are flexing too much, will that move the shift lever when i step on the gas? the thing is, the mounts are still pretty good. stumped.

MaineMan · Apr 20, 2009

If all the others positions work correctly, I wouldn't adjust the linkage any more that a 1/4" in or out! If you do, then the other positions will be out. Been there and done that when I first put my -242.

seed · Apr 21, 2009

country_boy454 said:
Where is the 4 wheel drive switch located?

on top of the t-case but it's only purpose is to tell the VIC what range it's in as far as i know

85IrocZ-28 · Apr 21, 2009

Most of the time it is one of two things....
1-Adjustment is needed at the linkage
2-The pivot bushing is bad on the linkage (Very common)
If that pivot bushing needs to be replaced, it will allow the linkage to slip out of the pivot and it doesn't provide the needed leverage to engage 4-lo. Just have someone move the lever in the jeep and watch the linkage. Look for the pivot point...are both sides of the pivot point fixed in place? One side should be fixed in the t-case, and the other on the body side.

No 4LO 249, check 4 wheel drive switch?

country_boy454

85IrocZ-28

country_boy454

97ZJ_guy

OUTCAST

country_boy454

thorton0

85IrocZ-28

country_boy454

doginjeep

MaineMan

seed

85IrocZ-28

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