06 Liberty stuck in Part-time 4wd

[alyciadad]

Hello, I am new to JeepKJ.com.

I have a 2006 Jeep Liberty with Selec-Trac. Recently the bushing on the selector cable at the transfer case completely blew out. My father-in-law replaced the bushing with a MOPAR replacement. Now the shifter feels normal when I use it, and the indicator light on the dash is working properly.

When I got the Jeep back I shifted into Full-time 4wd just to try it out and this worked fine. I could tell it was in Full-time because turning was normal and you could feel the difference when accelerating (4 tires pulling instead of 2). When I pushed the lever back down to the 2wd position the Jeep got stuck in part-time 4wd. Clearly identifiable by the way it felt on dry pavement. I know better than to drive it in this condition so i parked it for the night.

When I woke up the next morning I tried to back out of the driveway and it was clearly still stuck in part-time so i parked it and took another vehicle to work. When I got home that afternoon I tried it again and it was in 2wd again. Just from sitting, it went back to 2wd. So I drove it and tried the same process again and now it is stuck in part-time again. It won't shift to 2wd and it won't shift to full-time.

My father-in-law is hoping that maybe it's just the bushing on the lever side of the selector cable, but I was trying to research the issue and wanted to see what you guys thought about this issue. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

The SeleTrac likes to be shifted in and out of Full Time frequently - keeps the clutches working properly.

The best way to get this transfer case to move back to 2WD and not get stuck in Part Time is to to hold a steady speed on the road, shift to Full Time, then let off the throttle then go back on the gas. Do that a couple of times.

When shifting from Full Time back to 2WD, follow the same procedure. Hold a steady speed then push the level down to 2WD. Let off the throttle, then press the throttle again. Do that a couple of times.

That process helps the clutches engage and disengage.

Like I said, because you have the Full Time SelecTrac transfer case you can run in Full Time any time you want - so shift it into Full Time about once a month to lube up the transfer case components. Also a good idea to change the fluid and replace with ATF+4 - an easy project that will keep things running smoothly and keep it ready when you need it this winter.

Bob

 

[turblediesel]

I think I remember this process from the booklet. While rolling slowly shift your automatic into neutral. While you're still coasting shift out of 4wd full time.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Mine did that once or twice too. Probably wasn't the best idea, but I drove it until it popped back into 2WD.

x2 on Bob's advice, I'd also recommend shifting into N before changing modes. It's only required for going in/out of 4LO but it seems to help even just going into full time.

 

[alyciadad]

Thanks for the Help!

Thanks so much for the advice! I went to a parking lot in a park near my house and tried what you said. it didn't work at first, but after doing it for a while, switching from 2wd to full-time and back, it started working. Before it started working i was slowly making a turn with it stuck in part-time while the shifter was on full-time. it made a bang almost like i hit a pot hole and then it was in full-time. Now when I go from 2wd to full-time it's working fine, but when I go from full-time back to 2wd it's still sticking. When I give it some gas (like maybe 2500-3000 rpm) it comes on out.

I guess since the bushing blew out last winter I obviously hadn't used it at all until I just got the bushing fixed last week. So it sounds like you guys are saying that from not using it it just got a little seized up and needed to be worked out a little. Is there anything more I can do to help free it up some more. I plan on changing the fluid in it some time next week.