SelecTrash 4X4

BJ'naKJ · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:01 pm

The 4X4 stopped working on my '06 CRD while wheeling in some wet mud. The dash lit up (ESP/BAS, ABS lights) and regardless of the transfer case selection (Full, Part or LO) no power to the front wheels.
The dealer took forever to diagnose/repair, but after replacing wheel sensor and transfer case switch, claimed it was back to normal.
My next trip out, the 4X4 was obviously not working right. I hooked-up to an anchor and tested what would get power when. The front end gets power totally randomly. Sometimes the front will spin, but at times only the back. I've tried all transfer case settings and tried switching off ESP, but front engagement is completely random.
What exactly is controlling the 4-wheel drive connection with SeleTrac? Has anyone disabled the electronic controls to ensure that at least you get front and back transfer of power?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:17 pm

ESP and traction control has nothing to do with the transfer case. If the ABS lights were on then something else was wrong besides the 4wd.

When offroad you should usually be in Part time or 4low. If youre offroad you shouldnt really need full time. In part time, the front wheels should be turning the same speed as the rear wheels. If they are not either something is up with the shifting in the tcase or you are shifting it incorrectly.

Some people will chime in and talk trash about the 242 tcase. Personally Ive never had trouble with the 242 case in our XJ(100k) and the one in my kj(42k).

BJ'naKJ · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:54 pm

OK, I read the dealer work order more closely. It states 4 wheel drive inoperable: "200 gear shift selection switch sticks at times, replaced switch".
I can see something sticking and not switching/engaging, but if the gearing obviously engages/changes in low range, how can the front end not get power? The gearing always noticably changes when 4 LO is selected, but at times only the rear tires get power while in 4 LO. :cry:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:26 am

Yeah, there is a switch that tells a light to come on on the gauge cluster to let you know what position you have it in. Its known to go bad but its not causing your issues.

How are you figuring out that only the rear wheels are getting power? Youre not sticking your head out the window and watching the front tires are you? Dont want to offend you or anything but the passenger side tire could be spinning if youre just watching the driver side front tire. Just making sure.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:50 pm

When the Select-Trac TC is in full-time 4wd there is a spring that helps disengage the front driveline from the rear driveline to keep the entire thing from binding up in situations where the two axles need to rotate at different speeds.

When the Select-Trac TC is in part-time or 4-lo the spring is not used and the entire driveline is "locked" as one. In these modes the TC fuctions like any other.

If you are not getting "power" to the front wheels in part-time and 4-lo than I would venture that there is something wrong other than the transfercase.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:53 pm

sleeve84028 wrote:

When the Select-Trac TC is in full-time 4wd there is a spring that helps disengage the front driveline from the rear driveline to keep the entire thing from binding up in situations where the two axles need to rotate at different speeds.

When the Select-Trac TC is in part-time or 4-lo the spring is not used and the entire driveline is "locked" as one. In these modes the TC fuctions like any other.

If you are not getting "power" to the front wheels in part-time and 4-lo than I would venture that there is something wrong other than the transfercase.

Ive never heard that before. I thought both part time and full time were engaged via a spring. I know mine gets stuck in part time if Im in a tight spot and shift it from full time to 2wd. Ive learned to always shift from full time to 2wd when Ill be going straight for a few hundred feet or so.

Ive always known it goes straight into 4low though so it should definitely be in 4wd if hes in low. Im not sure what else could be wrong keeping it from going into 4low besides the tcase though. Maybe someone stole his front drive shaft? :lol:

Guess the linkage could be out of adjustment and it may not be fully engaged in 4low. He should be hearing some nasty grinding if thats the case.

BJ'naKJ · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:20 pm

Yea, it's definently not getting power. People outside the Jeep have confirmed.
No grinding, very smooth at all times.
So how can the transfer case obviously engage the gearing of 4LO (obvious from the gearing change) and not engage the front drive shaft?

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:43 pm

I never tried to doo doo into or out of 4wd without driving straight. And I am now second guessing my understanding of the fulltime / parttime spring thing now..

Maybe it is his transfer case linkage?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:17 pm

Yeah, thats the only thing I can think of besides major issues inside the tcase.

Are you 100% sure the handle is pulled all the way back when youre in 4low? When in 4low and you try to pull back on the handle there should be no slack.

Ive also never tried to shift while turning but sometimes Ill have it 4wd then pull right onto the driveway at home. Ill shift it out of 4wd then pull into the driveway and turn into a parking spot. I dont do that anymore.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:25 pm

Glad the 231 doesn't have those shifting issues,positive engagement band positive dis-engagement.

Or better yet twin stick it baby

BJ'naKJ · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:37 pm

So if it's a linkage problem, wouldn't the gearing change from 4LO not occur?
Educate please, but it seems as if the gearing change that occurs when shifting from 2HI to 4LO would rule out a transfer case linkage problem.
What link exists between the transfer case and ultime power to the front tires?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:41 pm

BJ'naKJ wrote:

So if it's a linkage problem, wouldn't the gearing change from 4LO not occur?
Educate please, but it seems as if the gearing change that occurs when shifting from 2HI to 4LO would rule out a transfer case linkage problem.
What link exists between the transfer case and ultime power to the front tires?

The front driveshaft.

If your getting the gear reduction in 4low but no power is getting to the front wheels you have a internal t-case problem.To bad you need a specific 242 for the KJ since the other 242's in other jeeps will not work without expensive modifications.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:43 pm

No, it could go into low but not engage the front wheels.

There is a drive shaft to the front axle just like whats going to the rear axle. If the tcase IS engaging in 4wd and youre not getting torque to the front wheels then someone stole your driveshaft or the front axle(IE, not likely).

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:14 pm

mine went into low without engaging the front wheels
I blew a tire - I replaced both on that axle - however they're newer so the diameter isn't quite the same
so when you shift into 4 part time or 4 low - the shift pushes a spring that tries to engage the front axle
since the front and rear aren't turning exactly the same it won't engage.
It will engage full time 4x no problem.

FYI - low tire pressure on one end is also enough to cause it to not shift, anything that makes the front rear rotate slightly differently - doesn't take much.

no problems with the transfer case - thats just a 'feature' of the 242.

SelecTrash 4X4

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