My wife's been having a hard time getting out of our snow and ice-covered driveway in our Jeep the last couple of weeks which isn't too surprising, but now I'm beginning to wonder if I've got a problem with my transfer case. This is a '05 Liberty CRD with a NV242 Selec-Trac xfer case. Regardless of whether the selector is in Full-Time or Part-Time 4WD, if I intentionally spin the tires only one rear wheel spins; no front wheel motion at all. If I understand how this xfer case and axles work, in Full-Time mode I'm thinking that the coupling in the xfer case between the front and rear diffs would act like an open diff and not turn either front wheel if the rear axle is spinning, but in Part-Time mode I would expect at least one of the front wheels to spin along with the rear. Am I right? Do I have a problem?

I have the 242 Tcase too but I'm not exactly sure about what to expect given the scenarios you've described. Your assumptions about what should happen seem reasonable but guess I've never been in a situation where things started spinning. Sounds more like the Tcase isn't engaging. I've been using my full time frequently this year and part time quite a bit too. Never get things to spin when either is engaged. I spin alot in 2wd even with the trac-lock. As soon as I go to FT or PT, no spin, it just pulls great. A while back I had a few incidences where it wasn't engaging at all. I think mainly lack of use and a low pressure tire. This Tcase is real sensitive to matched tires and pressure. When was it serviced last? That also helped smooth mine out a bit.

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02 Limited 179K (GONE)
05 Limited 71K (DD)
Lots to do... too little time.

If by "serviced" you mean when was the last time the ATF+4 fluid was changed, that was done about 15,000 miles ago so it's pretty fresh. I don't believe there's any other periodic service that needs to be done, is there? I've read that the shaft seals on these xfer cases can leak so I'm going to check the fluid level, but I'm not sure how being low on fluid could make it stop working. Isn't it just a gearbox? There aren't any hydraulic valves or couplings inside, are there?

Actually there is a pump in there. What did it look like last time it was changed? 12-15k is about my change interval so "I" wouldn't consider it fresh. I guess the owners manual says you're good for 30k but that seems like alot to me. Have you checked it during this time? I would think if it got low it would definitely not work properly. It should be full as per the manufacturers instructions to prevent wear and provide the best protection. You need a certain level to properly lubricate even without pumps and valves.

http://www.quadratec.com/jeep-replaceme ... -np242.php

I'm not sure how universal the figure in the above thread is but pump is item #34.

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02 Limited 179K (GONE)
05 Limited 71K (DD)
Lots to do... too little time.

I checked the fluid level and it was right at the top of the fill port. Fluid looked as fresh as when I last changed it. I took the Jeep down the road to an asphalt parking lot that was clear of ice, put it in Part-Time 4WD and turned in circles a couple of times. I could definitely feel the front wheels grabbing when I did this, so I guess what I'm seeing when I spin the wheels on ice is normal. The system seems to work when there's traction for the wheels.

Your situation sounds normal for the full time mode but not part time. When you engage part-time, do you let the jeep roll a few feet or are you trying from a stand still. Mine tends not to engage until i roll a few feet first. You may want to make sure you get it in the right setting before you park it so that you can get out the next time you drive.

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2006 CRD - GTB2056 turbo by Dieselguy86, Eco Trans Tune, Lift Pump, Week's, HDS Tstat, Racor Filter, ARP's, OME 790's+Top Plate, JBA 2.5", JBA UCA, Moab's+265/75R16, ARB Bull Bar, 4.10's, TrueTracs

My wife shifts into Part-Time 4WD as soon as she turns into the driveway, which is 150 ft long, so the system should be fully engaged when she leaves in the morning. I agree that what I'm seeing on ice doesn't seem right for Part-Time 4WD, but when I drive on pavement I can definitely feel that the front wheels are engaged.

Does it shift into 4-Low?

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2006 Liberty CRD Limited

Provent @ 43,000 km
SEGR in progress
SAMCO Sport hoses @ 48500 km
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac LT225/75R16

Yes, 4 Low works.

Mine sometimes takes several hundred yards of driving before the 4 wheel drive engages. I shift mine in well before I think I might need it. It's always been like that in the 6 years I have owned it.