Help! My Jeep won't move!

Ursula

New Member
Original poster
Joined
Mar 8, 2018
Messages
7
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Everything seemed to be fine with my jeep until I exited the freeway and stopped at a light and and when I stepped on gas I found that my jeep would not move forwards or backwards. I did find that if I put it into 4wd lo it tries to move and if in 4wd hi it moves both forward and backwards. I am at a loss as to what it could be and don't know where to even begin to start. I want to try to avoid putting it into the shop if at all possible and would prefer to do the work myself. Was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what the cause was.
2005 Jeep wrangler TJ, 4cyl manual transmission. Transfer case was replaced as well as drive shaft almost exactly a year ago.
 
Welcome to the forum! So, no movement at all in 2 wheel drive; very little movement in 4 wheel low; normal movement in 4 wheel high?

Since the transfer case was out, maybe adjust/tighten the t/c linkage and go from there. There is a bolt that tightens against a rod for shifting the t/c. If that bolt comes loose, it will slide along the rod instead of pushing it/shifting the t/c. Try this video, if you are DIY'er that is,

 
  • Like
Reactions: jeep_boss
Go on some gravel in 4hi and do a burn out. See if it's actually in 4wd, rear wheel, or front wheel drive. That will help figure out what's going on.


There must have been a time
when we could have said no.
 
A tight circle on gravel in 4 lo will have the steering wheel pulling if it’s working
 
I adjusted the linkage and still nothing. Going to change out the fluids in front and rear differentials as well as transmission and transfer case later today or tomorrow to try and see if I can figure out where the the issue is coming from
 
I have spent the past couple of days draining the fluids form the transmission, transfer case, as well as both front and rear differentials looking for any metal pieces or obvious signs of a problem with these components and found nothing other than the insignificant usual shavings on the magnetic bolts. I checked the linkage and that doesn’t seem to be the problem either. Not sure what my next step should be.. could this be a problem with the slave or master cylinder ? Any ideas very much appreciated
 
The clutch would be the next thing to check. The slave cylinder is a sealed system so unless there is a leak, probably not the problem. From my own experience, when my clutch went away, the trans was stuck in 2nd gear and would barely move. The throw out bearing was toast, as was the pilot bearing. Mine is also a 05 SE, just fyi.

The job isn't overly complicated but will require a trans jack, either rented or purchased. I bought the 100.00 Harbor Freight trans jack. Not perfect but it worked.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ursula
I dunno but despite you already having adjusted the linkage my bet is the transfer case is in Neutral. The lever on the transfer case the shift linkage connects to can be manually moved with a pair of pliers to shift the transfer case to make sure it's not in Neutral.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ursula
The clutch would be the next thing to check. The slave cylinder is a sealed system so unless there is a leak, probably not the problem. From my own experience, when my clutch went away, the trans was stuck in 2nd gear and would barely move. The throw out bearing was toast, as was the pilot bearing. Mine is also a 05 SE, just fyi.

The job isn't overly complicated but will require a trans jack, either rented or purchased. I bought the 100.00 Harbor Freight trans jack. Not perfect but it worked.
Thank you will try this. When it first happened I called the wife and told her my clutch went out as I thought that was the problem but she disagreed so I tried her suggestions first to appease her now will try my first thought.
 
Clutch makes no sense, it happens before the tcase, so putting it in 4hi shouldn't make a difference. I agree, it's gotta be tcase related. Manually shift the case from below before you get into pulling stuff off.


There must have been a time
when we could have said no.
 
F9B7135C-5413-4210-A1AA-47223B327EE2.webp
I think it is safe to say the clutch is toast.

88547E28-C2D5-4B74-8F7F-AD489FAC35B1.webp
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeep_boss
E3358419-BA57-4AD4-9B7C-20817026DBC6.webp
So I have a problem. For some reason the new pilot bearing doesn’t want to go in. Suggestions?
I bought the clutch set from autozone that included the throw out bearing, clutch as well as the pilot bearing.
 
Haha, yea, that thing is done! Did you make sure the entire bearing is out? Sometimes the race will get stuck in the bore but it kinda looks like it belongs there. Other than that, make sure there are no burrs and that the bore is clean and smooth.
 
Everything seemed to be fine with my jeep until I exited the freeway and stopped at a light and and when I stepped on gas I found that my jeep would not move forwards or backwards. I did find that if I put it into 4wd lo it tries to move and if in 4wd hi it moves both forward and backwards. I am at a loss as to what it could be and don't know where to even begin to start. I want to try to avoid putting it into the shop if at all possible and would prefer to do the work myself. Was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what the cause was.
2005 Jeep wrangler TJ, 4cyl manual transmission. Transfer case was replaced as well as drive shaft almost exactly a year ago.



hello everyone
Im having the same issue here, after a really really cold day last week ( 01/21/19) i cant my jeep to move, i already replace the entire clutch line about a year ago and i dont think its the clutch, but this thing wont move forward or reverse, i really dont know where to start and wanted to know more to see if is worth paying for a towing to the mechanic shop.
please help
2006 TJ SE Manual 136K