Transfer Case Stuck

jakemoore · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 2:04 am

Hi,

I got my CRD sport stuck in the mud today. I tried to shift it into 4-lo and the transfer case lever came loose like it turns freely but the jeep is now stuck in neutral. Is there any hope to fix this in the field or am I going to need to pull it out?

Thanks

Jake

FastTRX · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:43 am

You have no way of shifting the transmission into drive? I'm guessing there is no way of shifting the T-case back to part time (4-Hi).

Edwin · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:57 am

The KJ just might need to be moved a little to shift into 4-lo. I usually shift into 4 lo while the vehicle is barely rolling, with the transmission in neutral of couse, then put it back into drive and keep on goin.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:44 pm

Your transmission shift selector has to be in neutral before you can shift to 4 lo. If it's not moving, shut the engine off with the trans. shifter in neutral and then try moving the hi lo shifter to either the hi or lo position.

When all else fails, read your owners manual, that's why they supply them with your vehicle.

BVCRD · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 1:08 pm

KJ04 wrote:

Your transmission shift selector has to be in neutral before you can shift to 4 lo. If it's not moving, shut the engine off with the trans. shifter in neutral and then try moving the hi lo shifter to either the hi or lo position.

When all else fails, read your owners manual, that's why they supply them with your vehicle.

It is pretty amazing how so few of them are ever looked at.

jakemoore · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:08 pm

no no no,

the transmission shifts fine. its the transfer case. and the problem is that i can move the lever through its whole range without anything happening and the jeep is in neutral at the transfer case. its like the lever is no longer attached to the transfer case and it just moves. it won't go back into full or part time fwd.

jake

BVCRD · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:15 pm

jakemoore wrote:

no no no,

the transmission shifts fine. its the transfer case. and the problem is that i can move the lever through its whole range without anything happening and the jeep is in neutral at the transfer case. its like the lever is no longer attached to the transfer case and it just moves. it won't go back into full or part time fwd.

jake

You need a tech. Shifter cable or linkage popped off?

Jeger · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:19 pm

So can anyone answer his original question? If the linkage popped off..can it be fixed whilst stuck in the mud? Or is it more involved than just reaching up there and snapping it back in place?

BVCRD · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:27 pm

Jeger wrote:

So can anyone answer his original question? If the linkage popped off..can it be fixed whilst stuck in the mud? Or is it more involved than just reaching up there and snapping it back in place?

Tow it out. He won't want to work in the mud anyways. If he is in 4 low IF he can get the cable back on, he may have a hard time getting it out of there under it;s own power. I'd like to know why he was trying for 4 low in the first place in mud?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:55 pm

Its usually best to shift the Tcase while the jeep is rolling 2-3 miles per hour with the tranny in N. Usually if you are not rolling, youve got to force it to go into low.... And it could break the linkage.

Unless you want to crawl under the jeep and check out the linkage, it would be best to tow it out and see whats up with the linkage. :wink:

jason thompson · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:04 pm

jakemoore
sounds like you may have broke the likage
will the leaver move up and down and just not engauge any thing?
if so you will need a tow out if the mud and some place to get it fixed
I have seen the linkage come loose on a TJ and you may have the same thing but I would not try to fix it in the mud

Now on the other hand if the leaver will not move out of the neutral position that may be an easy fix for the most part
first shift the trans to N then shut off enginethen figure out some way to spin the rear wheels forward or back
while pulling the leaver to 4lo or pushing to 4hi you may be able to just rock it by pushing it
DO NOT FORCE IT
if it will not go in pull it out of the mud and look to see wht broke or came loose

I do not mean to give you a hard time with this but you should NEVER try to shift your T-case when you are stuck
pick a gear and stay with it and 95% of the time it will be 4lo
also rememeber that the T-case and the trans are 2 seperate animals but they need to work togeather if you dont help them the tend to fight and that is when stuff breaks
with the 241 it does not like to shift to 4lo if the "stars and moon are not lined up right" it may get stuck in neutral then you start the process of shuting down the engine and pushing the jeep to get it in or out

I hope this helps let us know the out come of this
Jason

jakemoore · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:31 pm

Quote:

I'd like to know why he was trying for 4 low in the first place in mud?

Because his judgement was clouded by mud and anger.

Thanks all the for the help guys. I'll pull it on home and put the sprinkler under it before taking it in.

Edwin · **Posted:** Thu Feb 15, 2007 12:42 am

Good luck with it Jake. Let me know how it turns out.

fermill403 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:18 am

Does the lever feel loose, almost like it is flopping around? There is what is called an "e" clip that holds the linkage in place. You will have to remove the center console to check it out. It will jump right out at you when you remove it. It will be very obvious. These actually pop off alot. Mine has done it a couple of times, it is usaully a result of abuse of some kind. Replace the e-clip and it will be all better. Hope this helps.

Jeger · **Posted:** Thu Feb 15, 2007 7:54 am

jason thompson wrote:

I do not mean to give you a hard time with this but you should NEVER try to shift your T-case when you are stuck
pick a gear and stay with it and 95% of the time it will be 4lo
Jason

NO JOKE You should definantly plan ahead when it comes to 4WD selection. It can take some distance of movement to engage in any position. Dont wait till you need 4WD to put it in 4WD.

And jakemoore...I completely understand the reasoning behind the judgement, or lake of judgement as it were. Next time you'll be ready :wink:

So what upgrade is going to come of this? Locker? Mud terrains? Maybe a winch?

BVCRD · **Posted:** Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:05 am

jakemoore wrote:

Quote:

I'd like to know why he was trying for 4 low in the first place in mud?

Because his judgement was clouded by mud and anger.

Thanks all the for the help guys. I'll pull it on home and put the sprinkler under it before taking it in.

We have all been there. Part of the learning curve. In deep mud, it is usually best to keep wheel spin up so that forces can help clean the tire tread. Basically, give er hell. No big deal and a pretty easy fix from what I have read.

jakemoore · **Posted:** Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:37 pm

Looks like its time to get lifted and maybe get some gnarly tires too. I wanted to wait till the warranty expires to avoid any dealer BS but I don't wanna get stuck again. I just go through the mud to get to a secred windsurfing spot which I would hate to leave when the road is wet. Its a very rutted out dirt road which turns to slippery clay when when wet. Normally I do fine if I stay out of the ruts but this time I slid in.

Jake

CarNutCertifies · **Posted:** Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:22 am

Jake....dont know if you can do it in the libby but on my dad's chevy this happened with his shift lever, we followed the cable where it meets the tcase with the Tranny in Netural, then just push the lever the cable connects to either direction. either way you will be in four high or four low if you dont get the desired range just go the opposite direction, this will get you home and to the dealership, but remember the owner's manual states dont go over 55mph in four high....

jakemoore · **Posted:** Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:01 am

It turns out the mechanism for the transfer case works somewhat like a bicycle shifter cable. The housing of the cable split and would not push the lever forward or back.

Quote:

then just push the lever the cable connects to either direction. either way you will be in four high or four low if you dont get the desired range just go the opposite direction

Now that was a top tip CarNut! You have me rolling again! The lever is too stiff to turn it with your fingers but a big wrench will to the trick. In fact I have it in "full time" four wheel drive now so really I don't even see a need to rush off to the dealer. I'll just add it to the big list of things at the next oil change.

Transfer Case Stuck

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