[bobinyelm]

I bought my 2003 Grand Cherokee WJ 2 years ago, but just finally lifted it 2" w/ new shocks, tires, brakes, and more.

It's 4 liter w/ the NV 242 T-Case.

It was a super clean California soccer mom's car w/ only 97k miles (less than 4000mi/yr).

The T-Case was VERY hard to shift when I bought assuming that was because it was due to never being shifted to 4WD or used off road.

It's now almost impossible to shift out of and back to 2WD Hi-so hard I am afraid I will break something.

I had the T-Case fluid changed thinking maybe the level was low so not enough lube was getting splashed onto the mechanism to make it easy to shift. Turns out the T-Case was FULL.

I removed the console, and disconnected the cable at both ends, and with to tension on it, I can easily move it back and forth with my thumb and index finger. The cockpit lever is completely loose.

I cannot move the T-Case lever by hand (hard to grip), so I don't know if I have a bad cable (that's what the shop thinks) or if there's a problem INSIDE the T-Case.

I tried to source a new cable, but the Jeep dealer wants $737 for the only one in the USA dealer network.

The cheapest I could find one online was ebay for about $500!! Without knowing if the problem IS the cable, I am reluctant to spend $1000 just to TRY a new cable (shop want $230 to install a cable labor).

I don't know if there is an internal problem, or maybe the detent assembly (hold it in whatever T-Case gear range is selected) has a problem.

I am looking for ideas, or if someone has a decent used cable, I would buy it to try.

Thank,
Bob

 

[Mr. Mike]

Google is your friend.
Found one on eBay new for $45 and change.

Auto Trans Gear Shift Control Cable for 2003-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0L L6 | eBay

2003-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0L L6 4.7L V8. With a high rate.

www.ebay.com

 

[rockwe31]

I’m not sure if what Mr Mike posted above is for the transfer case…looks like it could be for the transmission. Best person to check with would be Kolak…he’s famous in the Jeep world. His email is kolak@aol.com

Have you tried shifting the transfer case with the transmission in neutral? Usually you don’t have to do this but give it a try. Have you looked under the Jeep to see what is happening while someone else tries to shift it?

 

[bobinyelm]

Hi,

Yes, that's a transmission shift cable, unfortunately.

Unfortunately, I have no one to observe the shifting effort.

I removed the eye from the T Case and the inside lever moves like butter. I removed the console and the cover over the shift levers, and unhooked the eye from the shifter lever.

It was easy to move the able in/out w/ my thumb and index finger.

Personally I think the friction is inside the T-Case, but I can't be sure. The shop that changed my T-Case fluid would not let me in the service bay at all, and they would not do what I asked (remove the eye on the T-Case end and try to shift the T-Case using pliers or something on the T-Case shift lever.

My cable bushing (nylon) is missing on the T-Case end and they said it won't shiftw/o the bushing, but that is bogus. The bushing only takes up maybe a 1/16" gap between the cable eye and the pin it fits over.

Incidentally, I used an "E" clip on the T-Case lever pin and an inboard washer to retain the cable eye on the pin. Very effective. They want $25 for that little plastic bushing, which is a rip.

I can shift in and out of Part Time 4WD with the trans in neutral with more than normal effort, but it should sift easily in drive since F & R driveshafts are turning the same RPM.

Going from part time 4wd to Full Time 4wd is TOUGH, and going to N or LO 4wd is nearly impossible. I thought I was going to be stuck out in the desert in 4wd LO recently when it took me
20 min to try to get it back to Full Time 4wd (and back to 2wd Hi) . I tried neutral, backing up and going forward slowly turning the steering wheel as well. That ALWAYS worked on my many former 4WDs, Jeeps, Fords, and Chevys.

I don't want to repeat that exercise.

Bob

 

[Mr. Mike]

My bad found a T-case shift cable but 2007 up.
Only suggestion, buy four QUALITY jack stands warm it up then try shifting with zero tension on the axles.
Are plastic cable retainers year specific bc cheap on Amazon

 

[bobinyelm]

That's a reasonable suggestion.

I BEGGED the shop that did the T-Case fluid change to do exactly (w/ the vehicle in the air) that but they made some stupid argument that if he gears didn't mesh, there would be no way to do that- and they said that with the wheels hanging the driveshaft angles were too severe and could damage the U-Joints. (BS)

I said sure there is, just rotate one or both of the drive shafts slowly by hand while someone attempts to shift the T=Case (w/ the car in the air on the 2-post lift). That way there's no torque on the axles/driveshafts.

Naturally they refused, fearing damage to my car for which I could hold them responsible!

Sadly I live in an HOA community where no work is permitted on your cars, and my garage is only
18ft deep. Hardly room to get a floor jack under each end.

And with "insurance rules" at shops and their reluctance to follow instructions, it's frustrating.

Bob

 

[Mr. Mike]

Any 4WD/Off Road specialty shops in reasonable driving distance that aren't pirates in your area?
Give them a call tell them what's going on and ask if they have a solution.

 

[bobinyelm]

Actually I have, and none seem to want to venture a guess, nor do they seem interested.

Two shops suggested Aamco Transmission.

I AM finding that with some effort, it will shift 2H to 4H stopped in neutral (with lots of friction), but rolling No Way No HOW. With 4 identical tires (rolling diameter) it should slip 2H to 4H easily since the shafts are turning the same speed. NEVER in maybe 10 4WD vehicles I've owned, anyway.

 

[Mr. Mike]

Aamco, they must really hate you ; ).
Did another search and found Novak.

Parts for the New Process 242 Transfer Case

NP242 transfer case rebuild parts

www.novak-adapt.com

They have a contact form that customers can make inquiries.
IDK if they can help but worth a try

 

[bobinyelm]

Thank-you