All,

I have a 2006 CRD that I purchased about a year ago with about 100k miles (have had timing belt replaced). This past weekend, while driving on gravel, I switched into 4wd (a couple of miles in both part-time and full-time) to exercise the system a bit. When I got back to blacktop roads, I shifted the xfer case back to 2wd. When driving slowly on an asphalt parking lot , it felt like the 4wd was still engaged (seemed to need lots of power to turn tightly and slowly), I looked at the xfer case shifter to confirm I had shifted back to 2wd and also checked the dash and there were no lights indicating 4wd was engaged. This has happened a few other times since I have had the vehicles as well. When it has happened previously (typically as I have been pulling into the garage), it has apparently fixed itself (perhaps by backing out of the garage and disengaging?????). This time, I tried shifting the xfer case and transmission into neutral, the transmission went smoothly, but the xfer case took a little effort; when I reset everything to 2wd and drive, all worked normally. I don't notice any odd sounds or feel any funky shakes or rattles as I drive.

Do others have similar problems? Should I be gravely concerned about potential driveline problems? Is driving in reverse for a bit after shifting from 4wd to 2wd a reliable method to remedy the problem?

Please don't hesitate to offer any other suggestions.

Thanks,

Dan

Thoughts.

Take a look at the pictures at viewtopic.php?f=5&t=57790 and then check under your KJ for something that might be binding the lever/cable assembly. Might be good to have someone in the cabin move the 4-wheel shifter while you look.

Check transfer case fluid level. Might be low or might need changing.

Check that the 4 tires on the ground are all the same size/brand as differences of either can cause odd 4-wheel drive issues.

_________________
Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs

I've found that many 4WD systems need either some rolling time in neutral or some reverse distance in order to completely disengage all the components. So it is a good idea to make it a practice to do that while still on a surface that allows for some slip. If you drive from Low-range 4WD onto dry pavement, start making a turn, then put the shift lever in 2WD, you are likely to feel binding and won't disengage the transfer case for some time, and can cause damage to driveline components.

If it just flat won't disengage no matter what you do, check the linkage on the transmission as described in the prior post.

_________________
George Reiswig
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
Suncoast, SEGR, lift, InMotion tune, homebrew B100
At 138k, new head & gasket, timing belt, rockers and swearing vocabulary