help with transfer case

[84JeepCherokee]

I was just wondering can a transfer case not engaged if there is not fluid in it. My freind told me that it could be my vaccum hoses i was just wondering if maybe because there is not fluid in the transfer case can that cause it not to work. I also was wondering if it is easy to drop the transfer case and put a new one in or get it rebuilt and how much well it cost to do that.

thanks for all you guys help.

[jeepdude]

I just swapped T-cases a week ago.Its not that bad of a job if you got the tools to do it with.
No,low or no fluid will not keep it from engaging.Mine had a cpl of cracks in the case and all of the fluid leaked out,It snowed and i ran for 2 days in full time 4wd mode with no(noticable) probs.However the following weekend the thing craped out all together.Couldn't even go in 2wd.(sucked)
The fluid,to my knowledge,just lubricates the guts of your T-case.
T-cases are high priced here in Ky. but I did find one for $175.The next cheapest one was $450.
I've got the np242 tho that might have something to do with it.
I'd check out those Vac.lines also before I started looking for a replacment.
Good luck.

[84JeepCherokee]

thanks man mine jeep has slec-trac the one that has the toggle switch. The lever only has H,N,L on it and I was wondering if there is a light that is supposed to come on when it is engaged. The reason i'am asking about my transfer case is becaseu the faster i fix it the faster i can go wheeling. What type of tools are needed to pulling the t-case becasuse i'am thinking it might be fried.

thanks again guys

[jeepdude]

I've got the select-track also,but mine dosen't have a toggle switch.metric sockets,and metric combination wrenches.Floor jack(makes it a lot easier).Blue silicone.Patients(lots of it)
I had access to a shop and air tools as well.Plus a guy who has done it before.
Took us about 3 hrs,but we weren't hard at it either.
It wasn't too bad.
And about a light comming on,It does in mine,but I'm not familiar with the toggle switch type T-case.

[Static-XJ]

I'm assuming that you have an '84. So you have the NP 228 or 229 t-case. Finding one of these to swap in may de fairly difficult. I'm not sure if a later t-case would bolt in it's place.

I know that no Select-Trac XJ should have the vaccum disco Dana 30. This is the most common point of vaccum system failure (vaccum hose comming loose). I'm not sure if vaccum lines are used to turn the dash light on. Could be a dead bulb too.

Here's a way to tell if you have 4wd or not. Goto a parking lot. Flip the lock switch so the case is locked. Then try to turn a circle in the parking lot. If your XJ fights you around the turn, stop turning. This means that your t-case works fine, the light just isn't coming on.

[ January 05, 2003, 05:11 AM: Message edited by: Static-XJ ]

[Ryan, aka: CheapXJ.com]

the vacuum lines for the selec trac on the 84-86 XJs run dangeruosly close to the exhaust. couple this with clamps that get brittle, and they fall down and burn off on the exhaust, causing a giant vacuum leak, and no 4wd.

they run at the bottom of the tranny tunnel on the passenger side, then up over to the driver's side to a vacuum motor.

Since the 228/229 only locks in Low, a simple test to see if 4wd is workin is to flick the switch and then try to put it in low, if it doesn't let you move the lever, it's not in 4wd.

There should be a small amber light off to the driver's side of the instrument cluster that just says "4WD"

Good luck. and while you're at it, make sure that the transfer case is full of fluid.

I had an 86 selec-trac with the auto and the 2.8V6. It was a good little transfer case. once you get the vacuum problems sorted out, it's a very nice 4wd system

My 207 or 242 never shifted in and out of 4wd as quickly and easily as my 228 did.