86 Pioneer Selec Trac NP 229 same as other NP 229's referred to?

ANxjJeeper · #1 01-01-2005, 04:47 PM

We just purchased an 86 Pioneer w/ NP 229 and are having trouble with 4wd staying disengaged. I've read other posts - but not sure it's all the same - new to Jeeps and this board, etc. Help - what should we do to find the problem?

ALSO - can disconnecting the shift rod from the vacuum shift motor be a temporary solution without causing any damage? It's in 2WD at the moment....HELP!

joe · #2 01-01-2005, 05:13 PM

Can't help in the popping out of gear thing other than checking your trans/tcase mounts, maybe linkage or even motor mounts. The 86 year model uses a 228 tcase not the 229. Similar to the previous and later 229 but it's a "one year only" tcase w/o a viscous coupler to send power from the rear wheels to the front when a rear wheel spins.
You can manually move the tcase into 4WD by crawling underneath but since it has no coupler/clutches etc 4WD high range is pretty useless anyway. Hench the "one year only" thing...it didn't work and AMC went...opps. It does work well on LO range though for offroad work but you still need to get it into the 4WD mode before you can engage LO range. If you plan on keeping the rig and using it on snowy roads etc I'd recommend a part time 208 tcase swap or if you feel you really want a full-time tcase get a 229.

ANxjJeeper · #3 01-01-2005, 05:37 PM

Thanks much for the info - but the label inside the jeep says 229 - is it just mislabeled? Have we made a bad purchase?

ANxjJeeper · #4 01-01-2005, 05:43 PM

I'm sincere in my thank you - just wanted to make sure you understand - that would make sense why it doesn't seem to match the 229 info I've read on the archives on here...

I'm hoping someone will have an idea of how to fix this

Are you saying it just shifts from rear wheel drive to front wheel instead of 4wd? It's late - I should reread and rethink in the morning LOL ... but thanks for the info!

billyrb · #5 01-01-2005, 11:24 PM

First and foremost, you need to lay under the jeep and check the t-case tag. It is on the rear of the transfer case, and is about 1-1/2" in diameter. It will have the transfer case model number etched into it. That will help you out a lot in determining what is wrong.

Let us know what you find and we'll go from there.

ANxjJeeper · #6 01-02-2005, 02:28 AM

On the transfer case it said 229 (round disk/red lettering). The vacuum motor has only green and red lines running to it. When the vehicle is running it will switch to 2wd and 4wd, but it pushes back into 4wd on its own- this is while its front end is on jacks. Could this be the selector switch? or what do you think? It makes a loud hissing when switching it.

Spectre · #7 01-02-2005, 02:33 AM

Quick question, what engine is in this Jeep, and do you have any pictures of it?

**Crazy_Jeepman** · #8 01-02-2005, 02:41 AM

Are you sure the front is actually engaged? Not just moving from resistance in the case? Most of time even a Part Time case will turn the front wheels when in 2 WD up on jack stands.............don't mean its in 4 Wheel Drive. Does the light indicator for 4 Wheel Drive come on?

joe · #9 01-02-2005, 02:48 AM

That's cool you have a 229 in there. One way to make sure it's in 4WD is to try to put it into LO range. The tcase will only allow LO range if it's in 4WD. There will a hiss from the switch but it shouldn't be a LOUD hiss. I think you may have a vacuum leak, prolly at the switch. Once you do get it switched into either 4WD or 2WD it shouldn't switch back by itself. Vacuum is only needed to do the switching. It's not needed to keep it in that mode so if you totally lost vacuum it'll still stay in whatever mode it's in.

ANxjJeeper · #10 01-02-2005, 02:54 AM

the engine is the 2.8L V-6. No pics, probably could - new digi cam for xmas, not sure how to get them on here though. (Been messing with the new to us Cherokee instead of the camera, LOL)

Per Crazy_Jeepman - when we drive it, it stays in 4wd - the indicator light seems to do it's own thing, says 4wd when it's in 2 and vice/versa, but driving it you can tell its in 4wd, however disconnecting shift rod - it is definitely in 2wd, but would like for 4wd to work and be hooked up the way it's supposed to be.

the vacuum shift motor has 2 ports

**Crazy_Jeepman** · #11 01-02-2005, 03:00 AM

If I remember right the Vac motor with no Vac to it is in the 2 WD mode position, it takes Vac to engage it to 4 WD and will return to 2 WD if Vac is not supplied, as it is spring loaded to do that. I guess if it is truly engaging while driving, I would suspect that the switch is still sending Vac to the motor even when in the 2 WD position. You could check that quite easily, disconect the Vac to the switch and take it for a drive.

ANxjJeeper · #12 01-02-2005, 03:01 AM

Ok - well that's what we were thinking is the switch, but then not sure because it says on 229 that if the mode rod isn't adjusted properly it can cause it to not stay in 2wd, and then all the searching for what it is we exactly have because some info we have found about 229 doesn't match up to what's under the vehicle...and also the switch selector we have doesn't match to the pic of the switch for the 229. It's a switch in the console - the shifter is to the right of the 4hi/N/4lo lever, the selector switch(2wd/4wd) is below the transmission shifter.

joe · #13 01-02-2005, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ANxjJeeper:
the engine is the 2.8L V-6.

Opps...you just lost me guy. I didn't realize this isn't on a FSJ but rather one of the little Jeeps. I know the XJ's also ran the 229's in the early days but don't know much other than I "assume" it's hooked up the same way as in a FSJ?
You might also visit http://www.naxja.org/forum/ it's a forum specific for your type vehicle.

edit: When I saw "86 and Pioneer" I thought FSJ 86 J-truck because I had a Pioneer package "FSJ" Cherokee(1983) and the Pioneer pack was also on some FSJ J-trucks. Sorry for the confusion.

[ January 02, 2005, 10:12 AM: Message edited by: -joe ]

**Crazy_Jeepman** · #14 01-02-2005, 03:08 AM

I have worked on several XJ's and the switch and shifters are as you have described. Also yes the adjustment would definatley kick it in and out of the correct selection if it is not adjusted properly. However if nothing was changed adjustments would not be needed, its a set one time deal. Though maybe something got bent or work was done to it.

ANxjJeeper · #15 01-02-2005, 03:23 AM

work was done to it before we bought it and we think possibly not done well, apparently the mechanic had said the seals all needed taken out replaced for auto tranny, but it was the flare that was broke on the supply line- story goes on and on

do both the 229 and 228 have the mode rod adjustment?

joe · #16 01-02-2005, 03:28 AM

Yeah both are adjustable. The only difference between a 228 and 229 is the lack of the viscous coupler in the 228 but forget about a 228 in your rig if it's an XJ and not a FSJ. The 228 was just a 1986 FSJ thing so far as I know. I can email you a pic of the rod adjustment as it would be a FSJ 229...should be similar at the tcase end.

ANxjJeeper · #17 01-02-2005, 03:28 AM

Sorry (new to Jeeps - didn't know I was a little Jeep) I have tried posting on the NAXJA and have gotten no where fast. I have searched and read all info can find - I think best info I've gotten has been right here - I really appreciate all the help, sorry I'm not a big jeep! Maybe some day.

It's an 1986 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer XJ, 2.8L V6, we think w/NP229.

[ January 02, 2005, 10:31 AM: Message edited by: ANxjJeeper ]

**Crazy_Jeepman** · #18 01-02-2005, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ANxjJeeper:
do both the 229 and 228 have the mode rod adjustment?

Yes they do.

ANxjJeeper · #19 01-02-2005, 03:34 AM

OK - super!! We'll try adjusting that first - or is there a way to tell if it needs adjusting - because I hate to mess with it if it doesn't need messing with.

ANxjJeeper · #20 01-02-2005, 03:36 AM

A pic of the rod adjustment would be great! Thanks so much!!!

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