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JL transfer case shift linkage adjustment

fat_head

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Does anyone have the a factory procedure for making this adjustment? I spent $120.00 on the manual and it doesn't say how. ?
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BJACK

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I don't have the factory procedure. But I just popped off the shifter boot and bezel around the shifter. Then cut the piece of plastic covering the adjustment nut. Loosened the nut and adjusted it to about the center. Works great now, took about 10 minutes.

Jeep Wrangler JL JL transfer case shift linkage adjustment PXL_20210218_011232885.NIGHT


Jeep Wrangler JL JL transfer case shift linkage adjustment PXL_20210218_234113481
 

PA JLUR

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Hey guys. Thanks for your post on this topic. You helped me get to the bottom of my issue. Adding some details in case others experience what I did. My symptoms were intermittent service 4x4, sway bar disconnect not available, and flickering 2H light. Also pulled the following codes from Tazer diagnostic tool.: DTCM: C1403-92, ABS: U0403-00, BCM: U1514-87, PCM: U1440.

I adjusted my 4x4 selector cable like the above post suggests and all issues are gone. Will report back if anything else creeps up.
 

203.WJL

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I don't have the factory procedure. But I just popped off the shifter boot and bezel around the shifter. Then cut the piece of plastic covering the adjustment nut. Loosened the nut and adjusted it to about the center. Works great now, took about 10 minutes.

PXL_20210218_011232885.NIGHT.jpg


PXL_20210218_234113481.jpg
When moving the transfer case stick how is the joint, just past the rubber boot, on the cable held in place?
 

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kah.mun.rah

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For all of the transfer case gurus out there, if 4H, N, and 4L on my dash lights match my transfer case shifter location but when using 4wd in 4H and 4L it now and then slips into N on the trail, would that be a linkage issue or should I be looking at something else as a root cause?
 

BDinTX

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My wifes would go from 4H to N before I adjusted it, but I don't recall it going 4L to N.
I wouldn't think adjusting it would hurt though.
 

grimmjeeper

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For all of the transfer case gurus out there, if 4H, N, and 4L on my dash lights match my transfer case shifter location but when using 4wd in 4H and 4L it now and then slips into N on the trail, would that be a linkage issue or should I be looking at something else as a root cause?
First thing I look at in that situation is the adjustment on the shifter. If it's not adjusted correctly the transfer case may not get all the way into low range. You want the arm on the case itself fully settled in the detent before the console shifter hits the stop at the end of the throw.

I've seen more than one Jeep come off the showroom floor out of adjustment. They didn't fully shift into low range and would pop out when driving. A small adjustment on the shifter and they were fine. You do have to detatch the center console to get at the adjuster bit it's not a terrible job.
 

kah.mun.rah

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First thing I look at in that situation is the adjustment on the shifter. If it's not adjusted correctly the transfer case may not get all the way into low range. You want the arm on the case itself fully settled in the detent before the console shifter hits the stop at the end of the throw.

I've seen more than one Jeep come off the showroom floor out of adjustment. They didn't fully shift into low range and would pop out when driving. A small adjustment on the shifter and they were fine. You do have to detatch the center console to get at the adjuster bit it's not a terrible job.
Thanks!!
 

roaniecowpony

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My Mopar manual says to put the shifter into 4Hi and put the T-case in 4Hi using the dash indicator. Then adjust the cable at the shifter

Jeep Wrangler JL JL transfer case shift linkage adjustment Tcase shifter adjmt
 

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jawit2

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Adding info for others.
If you put the shifter in 4lo you can access the adjusting nut with a 13mm 12 point. No need to cut anything.
JAwit I like that approach but once I hve the rachet in place how much and what are the next steps for achieving the proper shift alignment? My wife can't shift in to LH or Low settings.
 

Rogersocal

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My issue was $l would pop out of gear sometimes and to combat it i would hold the shift lever forcing it further back when i would go up a hill i thought it would pop out on.

Made this Adjustment this weekend and wanted to confirm. Loosened the nut, Pushed the adjustment lever (not shifter) forward a little bit and resecured. The gap at the front of the adjustment slot got smaller. My understanding was moving this direction pushed the shift linkage further back for better engagement of 4 low.

I took it for a drive and checked 4H and 4L and didn't see 4H have have issues as if i had adjusted it just a bit too much in the direction of 4L. but it was all on level concrete around the house. Would gun it just to see if it would pop out.
 

stretch-bsn

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If anyone that knows would t mind chiming in


I’m going to try this today. My service 4wd light has popped on and off randomly for about 9 months now. Typically if I just shut the Jeep off and let it sit for 1-2 minutes and turn it on and will be gone but can pop up again either in 5 minutes or 5 days.

What I think I’ve found is that when I turn it on, if I shift to 4wd right away and drive a little then shift back into 2wd it’ll stay off longer…so that leads me to believe there’s an adjustment issue with my 4wd.

That being said … this is the nut I want to be adjusting correct? (Photo stolen from this thread).

Jeep Wrangler JL JL transfer case shift linkage adjustment IMG_6416
 

Rogersocal

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Unfortunately I dont think an adjustment is causing this light to turn on. At this point its either:

You are regeared but rhe car ecu was never updated to reflect that change. When running in 4wd the speed sensors notice the difference and signal with a service 4wd system light.

Or

Sensors in the dif are filling with oil and causing your light.

There are othere reasons for this too but these are by far the 2 most common
 

stretch-bsn

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Unfortunately I dont think an adjustment is causing this light to turn on. At this point its either:

You are regeared but rhe car ecu was never updated to reflect that change. When running in 4wd the speed sensors notice the difference and signal with a service 4wd system light.

Or

Sensors in the dif are filling with oil and causing your light.

There are othere reasons for this too but these are by far the 2 most common
Well I did do an axle swap roughly 2 winters ago. The axles had/have 3.73 gears in them. I did use my Jscan and tell the computer it has new gears and a new tire size. Haven’t checked in like 6 months but last time I did it still “remembered” my gearing and tire set up. So I don’t think it’s this.

I did change my diff fluid and transfer case fluid about a week ago. Everything looked normal (pulled diff covers to inspect) no metal chunks or anything in either fluid.

Regarding the sensor in the diff, what makes you say this? Is that the “potting” I’ve seen people talk about on this forum? I still have 4wd hi and low (most recently used it 2-3 weeks ago and wheeled all day). Like I said when I shit the jeep off for a few minutes the light goes off and I can use 4wd at that point. So just trying to understand why the symptoms would lead you to say that.

Thanks!
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