transfer case question

[just jeepin]

Hi, I'm new to the IFSJA and to the forums, and I've been watching things for about a week or two to see if I'd feel comfortable on line with you folks. Well....as you can see, I'm here and I've got a lot to learn. You all seem to know so dog gone much, you'll probably get tire of all my questions before long or at least suggest a new log in name or something!

First question, my 89 gwag with a np229 won't go into 2wd. I can drive in 4wd hi fine and she'll go into 4lo, but not into 2wd at all. Could this be because of the shift motor having a vacuum leak? Where can I find another one?

200k miles on 360ci motor and she runs great, should I look toward a new/rebuilt transfer case, or junk yard material? I'm not looking to climb lots of rocks but occassionally go out on the beach and eventually turn this over to my son's in a couple of years so I'd like to make it right for them. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!

[LRRH]

the replacement shift motors are hard to come by new. to me it sounds more like the shifter mechanism inside the cab is where your vaccuum is leaking.

welcome aboard!!

[Rande]

I'm not real familiar with the 229 tcase and its vacuum system but not knowing what I am talking about has never stopped me before and it sure won't now. :D

I would think the vacuum system is not working, The tcase seems to be doing its job but the vacuum shifting system doesn't seem to be doing its job. The vacuum motor may not be working because its not getting any vacuum to work with. I suggest tracing the system in a search for a leak or disconnected hose. IIRC, there should be 3 vacuum lines connecting to some metal lines near the friewall behind the left head. It's been a long time now since I had my '84 GW but I do remember those lines. When I first got the truck those lines were not connectd.

[ November 25, 2003, 08:39 PM: Message edited by: Rande ]

[joe]

My first guess would also be a vacuum leak at/in the switch or the lines to the vac motor on the tcase. If you need a vac diagram of the system email me and I'll send you one.

Oh..and yeah welcome aboard!

[ November 25, 2003, 08:58 PM: Message edited by: -joe ]

[SAustinwag]

umm.... I thought that vacuum was only needed to get from 2wd to 4wd?? I thought it defaulted back to 2 w/out vacuum?
I didn't think it would have been able to shift out of 2wd if there was a vacuum leak??
Plus, if you've got a vacuum leak at the swtch, it would be pretty easy to hear it, not to mention a vacuum leak that big will make your truck idle too high usually and makes it run like poop all around..

I dunno I don't know what I'm talking about really either... good luck though

[Gawdzilla.]

Originally posted by Rande:
I'm not real familiar with the 229 tcase and its vacuum system but not knowing what I am talking about has never stopped me before and it sure won't now. :D
He really means this!!! smile.gif

[mandoneer]

as far as I know (and this might be wrong ) but dont the 229 and 231 share the same front axle diff. enguage ? so if the handle wont go all the way to 2WD than it is most likely (in my opinion)the shifter linkage and not the vacuum but as I stated befor I dont have a 229 and am not positive, just my thoughts on the subject

[FSJ Thing]

It doesn't have a handle. It has a vacuum switch on the dash, under the climate controls. I agree that it is more than likely just a vacuum hose disconnected or broken somewhere. If the vacuum shift motor is bad, you can still climb underneith there and move it manually back into 2wd. After you get a good look at it, you'll see how you can adapt it to a manual linkage or cable operation if you wanted to. That was on my list of things to do on my 86 wag before it went to Jeep heaven.

Out of curiousity, do you have vacuum lines going to the front axle? I'm not sure what years had that, but if yours does, thoe vacuum lines tie into the same lines as the transfer case and a leak in those lines could cause the problem as well. Hope this helps and welcome to the forum!

[mandoneer]

so I wasnt COMPLEATLY out of the park about the front axle on the 229's but witch one is it that has the handle AND the vacuum diff that isnt the 231? just wondering as I like gears and straight licks and try my best to avoid anything but (especally fluid couplers)I know the X-Fer is a 22sumpin (well I guess I dont KNOW)but I thought it was a 229 -- what is the 229 package called ? also

[joe]

Originally posted by mandoneer:
as far as I know (and this might be wrong ) but dont the 229 and 231 share the same front axle diff. enguage ?The early 229 in 83 and 84 have a vac disconnect axle but the axle shift motor system is way different. The D44 on a FSJ is mounted in the diff via the diff cover. On the D30 an XJ the motor is mounted in a motor housing on the axle tube.
The 85+ 229's are still vac shift for the tcase to get between 2WD/4WD just no vacuum axle. All the 229's have a manual lever for H/L range though.

[joe]

Originally posted by SAustinwag:
umm.... I thought that vacuum was only needed to get from 2wd to 4wd?? I thought it defaulted back to 2 w/out vacuum?Nope, you just need vacuum to shift with. If you lose vacuum the tcase stays in whatever mode it's in till vacuum is returned so you can shift again.

[FSJ Thing]

Originally posted by mandoneer:
what is the 229 package called ? alsoI believe it was called the "Selectrac".

My 86, as it was titled and vin'd had a vacuum motor on the diff and I followed the hoses and they "T"ed right into the vac lines from the t-case. I know that Jeep did alot of funky things in all the years, but it could have been a DSPO thing as well. From what I hear, mine wasn't supposed to have it, but did anyways.

[mandoneer]

I am out of my field here cause I try to stay away from the "funky cases" (my termonoligy for anything but straight gears )but I will keep following this cause I am curious , but I thought the selectrac didnt have low range ?

[joe]

Selectrac is just what AMC called the 229/228 tcases. Commandtrac was the 208 tcase. All have H/L range. Only tcases used in FSJ's that were single speeds were the 73-79 BW Quadratrac's (LO range was optional) and the D21's used in the 62-65 Wags w/the 230 motor and AT.

[Kimbrough]

Your '89 does not have a vacuum disconnect front axle so no worries there. Star at the switch in the cab and listen for leaks all the way to the t-case. If you have a hand-operated vac pump, hook it to the shift actuator on the t-case (little flying-saucer looking thing) and see if that works.
Good luck!

[IronDog]

Your '89 GW w/ NP 229 needs vacuum to shift into and out of 4WD. The double acting diaphragm "vacuum motor" is on the left side of the transfer case. First check that the lever that it connects to isn't jammed up with mud or debris, then check that you've really got vacuum on both lines going into both sides of the motor. If not, chase the lines back to the engine compartment, then through the firewall to the dashboard switch and back through the firewall to the vacuum canister and then back to the engine. If you've got vacuum at the motor but it's still not working, it's not unusual for the diaphragm to have split with age. You can test it by connecting a vacuum pump to it and see if it moves the shift lever. I had to replace my shift motor recently. The motor is available, but the "stealership" wanted $194.00 - I kid you not! - for it. I bought a brand new one from B.J.'s (www.bjsoffroad.com) for about $50, with a IFSJA discount and shipping! Without the vacuum motor you can manually move the shift lever back and forth, but the drive shaft has to be turning to get the transfer case to engage - or disengage. Some guys on here have rigged up cables to move it manually from inside while the truck's rolling. That's what I would have done before I'd give the "stealership" $194.00, but for $50 I'd buy one from BJ's. There's even a picture of one on BJ's web site if you need to see what you're looking for.

[just jeepin]

Thank you for the tip. I had no idea where to find a shift motor. I didn't think a dealership would have one at this point and some junk yards want $75 or so and you don't know what you're really getting. So BJs offroad has them? I really had no clue. Gosh I love this forum! Thank you again!

[reddog]

Welcome. I have been a little absent lately but this is THE BEST group of people on the web that I have ever come across.

Make sure the motor/linkage is not just stuck from sitting in one position too long. Climb under there and spray some of your favorite lube and try working it back and forth. Then see if it works as it should and if not then start checking for vacuum leaks etc.

Kerry

[GaWag]

If you end up needing a new shift motor(the diaphragm on the t-case) I have an NP229 sitting in my garage and am getting ready to throw it away, got a 208. Send me an e-mail if you need it.

Steve

BTW welcome to the forum.