Four wheel drive not working properly

1991 JEEP CHEROKEE
150,000 MILES • 4.0L • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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MARK FERGUSSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Just bought the vehicle listed above with the 231j transfer case. Every time I try and put in 4x4 only a part time light shows up on dash and front and back won’t lock together. I’ve tried looking it up and reading stuff up on line but no luck. Everything says something about vacuum lines or vacuum actuator/shift motor on front axle tube. But there is no actuator/shift motor mount or location on front axle tube. Can anyone help me?
Apr 7, 2021 at 8:23 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi,

I have to be honest. I never saw one made without a shift actuator. It should be on the passenger side of the axle facing toward the rear of the vehicle.

I attached a pic below of the shift motor on the axle. It is operated by engine vacuum, so if you locate it, disconnect the vacuum hose, start the engine, and see if there is vacuum present.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pic below.
Image (Click to enlarge)
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Apr 8, 2021 at 8:52 PM
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