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1996 Jeep Cherokee Growling Noise

JEEP CHEROKEE
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JEFF023
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  • 6 POSTS
Hi All--

I have a 1996 Jeep Cherokee sport with a 4.0 litre engine. 80K miles. I very rarely drive it in 4-wheel mode, but I occasionally do so on a dirt road near my house, never over 25 mph. Recently, I hear a growl or low whine from the transmission--sounds like it's from the front of the car. It stops when the car stops, then goes up and down in pitch as the car shifts. Also, the dash light that used to come on and say "part time" no longer comes on when I shift into 4-wheel high. I've never had it in 4-wheel low.

Any idea what this might be? And how serious? The tranmission doesn't slip and the car runs fine. There's just this new noise. The car had new fluid around 65K miles.

Thanks for any advice and info. Jeff023
Jan 19, 2007 at 7:57 AM
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MATHIASO
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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Have the transfer case check at a shop. I doubt this is a transmission issue.
May be some moderators will jump in to help you too, but you definitely have to take your car to a shop. have them put it on the lift, start it and shift in gears. With a stethoscope, a second person can locate the growling noise.
Transmission is a serious business, have to be 100% sure before condemning it
Jan 19, 2007 at 11:05 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
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  • 9,123 POSTS
Hey Jeff,

Are all the fluid levels good ? Including differentials, power steering and transfer case?

Is the truck actually shifting into 4-wheel high or part-time when do ask it to?
Jan 19, 2007 at 1:38 PM
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JEFF023
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Mathsio, thanks for the info!

Paul, I will check the fluids as much as I can (not familiar with checking other than the main transmission fluid level). I go to a lube place which is supposed to check all levels during an oil change. There's aren't any leaks, at least when it is parked.

Usually, if I have it in 4-wheel high, it jumps, hesitates, and bounces a bit when turning with the steering wheel over all the way to left or right. It then stops doing so when in 2-wheel. Yesterday I tried shifting into 4-wheel and the bouncing and jumping did occur, then stopped when I shifted back to 2-wheel. Could it maybe not be shifting all the way iinto 2-wheel?

Thanks,

Jeff
Jan 19, 2007 at 11:07 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,123 POSTS
Sounds like it's engaging and disengaging fine, amybe a bulb went out on the dash?

Don't assume the other fuids are checked. Take a look in the owner's manual on checking the other fluids. If you can't find anything, let me know.

You should become familiar with checking the fluids regardless and what kind of fluids they take. The power steering fluid you can find in the area of the belts, It has a small black cap with an indictor stick on it when you remove it. It sounds like it may be a power steering moan you have going and that would be the starting place.
Jan 20, 2007 at 12:33 AM
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JEFF023
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Thanks Paul, I'll try it.
Jan 20, 2007 at 9:42 PM
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JEFF023
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hi All--

I checked all fluids and they're ok. The power steering fluid was low, but I added more. The sound is still there. Got a date with the mechanic tomorrow but dreading it because, to be honest, I'm short of $$$ (Christmas, etc.). More than $300 or so and I'll have to hold off on getting it fixed. I'm hoping it's not something that's actually a safety threat or really damaging to the car. In a couple of weeks, I'll have more bucks.

Sigh. Life is a car, eh?

Thanks for the help so far,

Jeff
Jan 21, 2007 at 5:53 AM
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Suggested Repair

Have a shop inspect the transfer case and locate the growl on a lift with a stethoscope before condemning the transmission. Fluid levels, including the differentials and transfer case, should be verified; low power steering fluid was topped off but did not stop the noise. The part-time indicator may simply have a failed bulb if 4WD still engages and disengages.

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Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1996 Jeep Cherokee with a 4.0L engine reported a new growl or low whine that seemed to come from the front, stopped when the vehicle stopped, and changed pitch as it shifted. The transmission did not slip, and the part-time dash light no longer illuminated in 4WD high. Experts recommended checking the transfer case and all fluid levels rather than assuming a transmission failure, and using a lift and stethoscope to pinpoint the noise. The owner found the power steering fluid low, added fluid, and confirmed the other fluids were okay, but the noise remained. 4WD still appeared to engage and disengage, so the indicator problem may be a burned-out bulb. The owner planned a mechanic visit.

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