2Hi to 4Lo by itself

[Georg]

2007 KJ 2.8CRD Ltd Auto. Had piston ring failure in #4, engine lifted out, repaired and replaced. Included transmission removal and reinstallation.

300-400 mi down the road, incl. a lot of 4Hi use (snow), felt occasional loss of power, which turned out to be the car shifting from 2Hi to 4Lo by itself (dash indicators showing this properly), and eventually back to 2Hi, usually with some TC lever usage (2Hi to 4Hi and back and slightly moving car).

Have heard of such behavior from electronically shifting cars, but nit for lever actuated TC modes, such as ours. Besides the TC ghost, any ideas?

 

[LibertyTC]

Look under where cable joins into T-case.
The linkage may have a cracked or a worn bushing, and things have become a bit sloppy.
Now why am I thinking of food....like a sloppy Joe? :cheers:

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I might be reading your post wrong but if you're going from 2WD to 4LO your RPM's would skyrocket, the Jeep would slow to a crawl and you'd have MORE power... :shrug:

Because of the way the shift gate works for the transfer case its not possible to go from 2WD to 4LO - the shift handle has to be pulled up, go through Neutral, be pulled to the right then lifted some more...

Now if you meant that it feels like it's shifting from Part Time or Full Time 4WD down into 2WD then I can see that happening. But that wouldn't explain the seeming loss of power.

Just so we're all on the same page, what transfer case do you have - CommandTrac or SelecTrac? The CT has four positions on the shift handle, the ST has five positions. Most CRD's - especially Limiteds - came with the SelecTrac.

Let us know. :waytogo:

Bob

 

[Georg]

It's SelecTrac (auto transmission).

First time it happened it felt like the car was momentarily not responding to gas. Then, at reoccurrence, I noticed the esp/4lo lights had come on.

It occurs every now and again when in 2hi. After having parked the car in 2hi for a few hrs, when starting the engine, 4lo lights were lit (as described). Was in a tight spot so cannot tell if it actually was in 4lo. It has always been around the neighborhood, speeds were very low, so no drama w/ revs. I suspect the electronics might have sensed shifting in 4lo and prevented ****** explosion by cutting power. Driving my oldest one back from school yesterday I am pretty certain it did actually go in 4lo.

The lever is, of course, left where it was (2hi).

Not fully tested yet, but my initial impression is that it does not happen when ct is set to 4hi fulltime.

PS. There has been a slight leak from the tc actuation cable seal for some time (long before engine overhaul), but very minimal (a drop on the floor every once in a while). Was told by 2 mechanics it is not worth opening the tc to repair. I understand there is an o-ring there?

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I think there are two different issues that are coincidentally happening at the same time...

The ESP/4LO light coming on is an electrical problem. The transfer case position switch is known to go bad, but I can't say how it interacts with the ESP system. What I believe is happening is the ESP system is applying the brakes unnecessarily and what feels like power loss is actually the braking system being activated.

Since the 4WD system is mechanically operated and not electronically actuated the Jeep isn't being put in 4WD randomly; it can't do so without you moving the handle. Even if the cable came off the transfer case it would still just stay in whatever mode it was last set.

Unfortunately the only suggestion I have is to take it to a mechanic/shop that can trace down the electrical gremlins that are flying around your KJ. Sorry I can't be more help :emotions34:

Bob

 

[Georg]

I believe the ESP light (not ESP-BAS) is always on when 4Lo is engaged, as ESP off (TCS off actually) is automatically activated with 4Lo. So 4Lo and ESP indicators go hand in hand.

More observations before the mechanic (hope I make it tomorrow): went on a small off-road run over the weekend. Mountain path, mostly mud and half-molten snow. Loved it! While on the trail, Bx was impeccable. No 4Lo needed, mostly in 4Hi and 4Hi-locked (part-time). 60 mi highway/back roads to the beginning of the trail in 2WD no prob. A few paved miles in 2WD and 4Hi after the trail still no prob. Parked outside a tavern, let the turbo relax for a couple of minutes, getting the kids out, putting on their jackets and all, and just before shutting down (tc in 4Hi, transmission in Park) 4Lo/ESP light back on! Turned off, went for the lamb.

After a good meal, a few pounds heavier, started back, all on paved roads, a little 4Hi, mainly 2WD, mostly on highway all OK over a total of about 90 mi.

Driving back from work today (have not washed off mud yet): 2WD on paved roads, rain, stuck in traffic, 4Lo (incl. ESP) coming intermittently on. Stepping on gas, revs up VERY lazily until a couple of seconds later at 1200-1400 rpm 4Lo goes out and revs normally. This happened several times over a 6 mi trip. Once did not step on gas and 4Lo went out by itself.

 

[tommudd]

Is the light just coming on? I can't see how it would go into 4 LOW since you would be down at like 10 MPH or less and if cruising down the road and it went to 4 LOW man that would be a neck jerker

 

[Gyro]

I had a similar problem with my 06 renegade(gas).
esp/abs/tcs lights,no throttle response.
Checked codes,was low system voltage,replaced battery and all is well now.

So check for codes and have the battery load tested.

Gyro

 

[CalcityRenegade]

Look under where cable joins into T-case.
The linkage may have a cracked or a worn bushing, and things have become a bit sloppy.
Now why am I thinking of food....like a sloppy Joe? :cheers:

Now I want sloppy joes

 

[tommudd]

Now I want sloppy joes

Just had two for lunch !!:icon_lol: