Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

231J transfer shifter wont go to 2WD, stuck in neutral

myjeep3

myjeep3

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Jul 4, 2019
Messages
724
Location
MA
I cannot shift the transfer case to 2wd, it seem to be stuck either in neutral or 4H even. When i try to shift it by hand by pulling or pushing the shifter I can only move one position down and one position up. I can push it all the way down and can only pull it once.

What can it be?
 
Linkage likely binding or broken - Scotch the tires and rotate the actuator on the transfer case toward the rear axle as far as possible….may need rocked a little.

Then order a Savvy cable , on sale now.
 
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Tob said:
Make sure your transmission is in neutral. Other than that, check/adjust the linkage.
Click to expand...
Transmission is in neutral, moved it by hand. Tcase shift lever will not move up, I can go down one level, I guess to 4L then back up to where the lever is, neutral??. Can't go to 2wd.
Shifter linkage is disconnected. Drive shafts are not attached. Both front and rear tcase shafts rotate freely, so I guess am in neutral.

20240726_082016.jpg


20240726_082058.jpg
 
Appears to be in 4 lo

If tranny is in neutral all will spin if no shafts- if the yokes spin independently its in neutral tc mode or 2wd - if spinning one yoke spins the other its in 4 lo or hi
 
Last edited:
Mine had shifting issues when I took it apart to install a SYE and I didn't get the oil pump seated correctly.

Looks like your in some state of disassembly...what are you working on? Or did you remove the driveshafts and linkage investigating the 231?

-Mac
 
On a 231, If you’re on the driver side of the transfer case looking directly at the actuator- 2 wd is as far clockwise as it will go ...toward the rear axle and the transfer case
 
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AndyG said:
Appears to be in 4 lo

If tranny is in neutral all will spin if no shafts- if the yokes spin independently its in neutral tc mode or 2wd - if spinning one yoke spins the other its in 4 lo or hi
Click to expand...

AndyG said:
On a 231, If you’re on the driver side of the transfer case looking directly at the actuator- 2 wd is as far counterclockwise as it will go ...toward the rear axle and the transfer case
Click to expand...

Really!!?? Though the opposite..so when the lever is pushe all the way back toward the rear is 2wd? I can push the lever all the way down toward rear, and just 1 positon up. So that mean it is only going to 2wd and neutral?
 
myjeep3 said:
Really!!?? Though the opposite..so when the lever is pushe all the way back toward the rear is 2wd? I can push the lever all the way down toward rear, and just 1 positon up. So that mean it is only going to 2wd and neutral?
Click to expand...

You generally have to turn one or both of the yokes manually while shifting the t-case when the rig is not rolling.
 
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myjeep3 said:
Really!!?? Though the opposite..so when the lever is pushe all the way back toward the rear is 2wd? I can push the lever all the way down toward rear, and just 1 positon up. So that mean it is only going to 2wd and neutral?
Click to expand...
myjeep3 said:
Really!!?? Though the opposite..so when the lever is pushe all the way back toward the rear is 2wd? I can push the lever all the way down toward rear, and just 1 positon up. So that mean it is only going to 2wd and neutral?
Click to expand...

If you’ll do like Blaine mentioned and fiddle with the yolks to relieve any tension and make sure you’re pushing it as far as you can go toward the transfer case that will start you out here 2wd

If someone is telling you this is backward they may be thinking about a Rubicon that has the lever pointing up and when it goes all the way back it is in four low.
 
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AndyG said:
Appears to be in 4 lo

If tranny is in neutral all will spin if no shafts- if the yokes spin independently its in neutral tc mode or 2wd - if spinning one yoke spins the other its in 4 lo or hi
Click to expand...
I can now move into 2wd, 4H, 4L. Had to use a little force. I guess I may need a different shifter set as I am trying to reuse the oem set on the Adance adapter kit and the top rode gets stuck where I circled.
 
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myjeep3 said:
I can now move into 2wd, 4H, 4L. Had to use a little force. I guess I may need a different shifter set as I am trying to reuse the oem set on the Adance adapter kit and the top rode gets stuck where I circled.
Click to expand...

A cable shifter is the best option by far. It takes the relationship between the tub and the transfer case and any flex out of the picture plus the feel and actuation is superior
 
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AndyG said:
A cable shifter is the best option by far. It takes the relationship between the tub and the transfer case and any flex out of the picture plus the feel and actuation is superior
Click to expand...

Definitely! This set up is okay as dont use 4Lo, but I will source a cable shifter. What's a good one to get?
 
myjeep3 said:
Definitely! This set up is okay as dont use 4Lo, but I will source a cable shifter. What's a good one to get?
Click to expand...

The savvy is on sale right now- Just be very specific that you want one for a 231 with anyone you deal with

I believe they’re under $150 right now

Sometimes it takes a little fiddling with it to set it up but you will never regret it- Essentially your transfer case will shift about as good as your automatic transmission granted it takes a little more force to shift any transfer case

I can do either one of mine with one finger thanks to those Cables
 
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macleanflood said:
Here's the lever moving...


-Mac
Click to expand...

when the shifter lever on the case itself is moved all the way up toward the front of the car clockwise, is that in 2wd high? And 4wd low when its all the way toward the back of the car?
Is this correct?
 
macleanflood said:
2wd is all the way front on the lever and all the way back under the Jeep.

-Mac
Click to expand...

Wait, so under the jeep, the linkage is disconnected, the lever on tcase is all the way toward the front so that is 4wd Low?

So pushing the tcase lever down toward the back (counter clock) is going to 2wd low? Is this right?

Thanks
 
myjeep3 said:
Wait, so under the jeep, the linkage is disconnected, the lever on tcase is all the way toward the front so that is 4wd Low?

So pushing the tcase lever down toward the back (counter clock) is going to 2wd low? Is this right?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Unless you have the Tera 2 Low kit installed, there is only 4 low.
 
mrblaine said:
Unless you have the Tera 2 Low kit installed, there is only 4 low.
Click to expand...

I have the linkage at the tcase lever disconnected. The tcase lever is pulled all the way up toward the front point at about 7 o'clock I suppose this is in 2wd. I am having a hard time pushing the tcase lever down toward the rear, I can only move it down once but it come right back up. Being trying to move it down while rolling the jeep forward and backwards, trans in neutral engine off.
 

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