2001 tj 4wd not working

[steven chlebowski]

Alright I'm new to the whole jeep club I just got a 2001 jeep wrangler and the 4wd won't engage at all the lever pulls up very easy and won't lock in place and nothing engages no grinding would could be the cause?

 

[RaymondT]

Sounds like a simple linkage issue. There's an adjustable shaft connected to the bottom of the lever where it comes through the floor. It connects to a bellcrank (pivot point) where another shaft goes to the transfer case. Something's come loose or broken off. If these turn out to be sound, then you have internal problems inside the transfer case.

Slide under and take a peek. Take a flashlight with you.

 

[Chris]

Sounds like a simple linkage issue. There's an adjustable shaft connected to the bottom of the lever where it comes through the floor. It connects to a bellcrank (pivot point) where another shaft goes to the transfer case. Something's come loose or broken off. If these turn out to be sound, then you have internal problems inside the transfer case.

Slide under and take a peek. Take a flashlight with you.

X2 to this!

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Yep you're not likely looking at anything more than a simple adjustment and tightening of a bolt. There's a bolt with a 1/2" head that holds a rod in adjustment that is part of the shift linkage. They can loosen over time and then the rod will slip out of adjustment.

Get a helper to move the shifter while you watch from underneath to see how it works and you'll then see what is happening. The rod will just have to be slid back into the bracket the bolt holds it in so it is in its original position, then tighten the snot out of the bolt so it won't slip out of adjustment. Odds are good you'll see the original indentation in the rod where the bolt was originally holding it.

You can see the bolt circled in red below with the rod visible below it and where it sticks out the top of the bracket above the red circle...

 

[steven chlebowski]

Yep you're not likely looking at anything more than a simple adjustment and tightening of a bolt. There's a bolt with a 1/2" head that holds a rod in adjustment that is part of the shift linkage. They can loosen over time and then the rod will slip out of adjustment.

Get a helper to move the shifter while you watch from underneath to see how it works and you'll then see what is happening. The rod will just have to be slid back into the bracket the bolt holds it in so it is in its original position, then tighten the snot out of the bolt so it won't slip out of adjustment. Odds are good you'll see the original indentation in the rod where the bolt was originally holding it.

You can see the bolt circled in red below with the rod visible below it and where it sticks out the top of the bracket above the red circle...

View attachment 5765

Mine has no play and I can push that rod forward by finger with very little strength but the rod is not straight like in the picture it looks bent

 

[Stinger]

With the linkage disconnected, can you move the adjustment lever on the transfer case? If so your problem is linkage. If not, it's in the TC. With a helper disconnect the linkage then have the helper move the vehicle slightly back amd forth while you shift the TC lever. If it moves---linkage if not see above.