Does this sound right?

[Blackjack]

I've been having trouble with my 229 TC on the Chero shifting into and out of 4H. After I confirmed that it was in 2H I put it on jackstands and shifted to 4H. No problem...then it wouldn't go back to 2wd. After trying a few times I put it back on the ground and drove it up and down the street, backwards an forwards. Still 4H. The next day as I was driving to work it felt like the tranny went into neutral. Driving normally at 30-35 and drive just goes away. Shifted into neutral then back to drive, it's fine. Later that day I realized it's now in 2H!
The strange thing is this has happenned to me twice before. The first time as I was driving it home from getting it off the truck, the second time about a day after I was playing with the TC.
So I figure it's engaging 4wd OK but it's taking a while to disengage, like a couple of miles of driving.
Does the symptom of suddenly going into neutral while driving indicate the TC is shifting back to 2wd? Also any TC gurus out there have any ideas about what's causing the slow disengagement?

Thanks
GFD

[andy d]

gee, my 83 never went into neutral when it went into 2wheel. some times it would take a while to shift out or in though. i got in the habit of shifting into 4wd as i left the house heading for the beach. prolly just needs to be used and shifted more. to be on the safe side,i'd check the fluid levels in the driveline. remember the easy way to test for 4wheel is to shift into 4lo. ontoh the test for 2 wheel is that it cant shift into 4lo. backing up helps the range shift too

[ibnfe]

Sounds like a vacuum problem in either the lines or at the T/C vacuum actuator, maybe even the switch. If it is going into "N" and goes away when you physically move your shifter to "N" and back to drive, then the actuator is moving slow. Half way between 2H and 4H is basically neutral. The lines to that thing are very prone to cracking and causing vacuum leaks. It doesn't take much to keep it from working right. Hope this helps.

[Blackjack]

That's what I was thinking, vacuum leak.
Now the friggin thing won't start(different problem) I get nothing when I turn the key. Replaced the starter solenoid last night, later today I'll check the starter itself. Seems like the battery's good.
This thing is starting to drive me crazy.
Argh, the Jeep Gods are not happy with me.

GFD

[pdspeh]

i am guessing you have tryed starting it in "N" My J-10 sometimes will not even make an effort to start in "P" .Some days prefers "N".

[joe]

Originally posted by GFD:
Now the friggin thing won't start(different problem) I get nothing when I turn the key.Marc, this shouldn't be a prob assuming this is on the low miles Chero you bought but try pulling up on the shifter with one hand holding it tight in Park and cranking with the other hand. The linkage may be sloppy here and not allowing the thing to by-pass the ign cut-out circuit so it won't start in gear. It's usually only a prob on well worn rigs or one that's had tranny work done and the linkage wasn't adjusted correctly afterwards. It's a cheap/easy try though and worth a shot.

[Blackjack]

Yeah it is in the Chero. I frigged around with it yesterday. Trying to start it in neutral etc. I haven't tried pulling up on the shifter though. I'll give that a try. I was going to pull the starter out of the J20 and put it in to see if it's the starter.

Thanks

-joe, any idea about the TCase? I checked all the vacuum lines, they look new...??

GFD

[joe]

Originally posted by GFD:
-joe, any idea about the TCase? Nah Marc I sure don't. I looked through the trouble shooting guide but didn't see anything about it popping out of 2WD or 4WD and going into neutral?
On conventional manual x-cases that can be a sign of loose/shot trans/x-case mounts or even motor mounts but I don't know on a vac operated one. Usually once a vac x-case is in whatever mode it's in it takes a vac pull to switch it out again and the only neutral function on a 229 is via the HI/LO lever?
I guess you could check your mounts cause the HI/LO thing is mechanical. I'm grabbing at straws here too Marc. I'll email ya the trouble shooting guide(4 .jpgs)...maybe it'll help.

[Blackjack]

Thnaks -joe ;)

GFD