What is a transfer case for a jeep wrangler (2000), what does it do, and will I get stranded if it goes on me?

Question

I have been told that mine is going to go, now my engine light is on. But it's so darn expensive!

Answer 1

A transfer case is the "4WD" box.

If you lump the engine and transmission together, the "output" from your transmission is simply a rotating shaft. You step on the gas, the shaft rotates faster. You switch gears to change how fast the shaft rotates at a particular engine RPM.

The transfer case does three things. In 2WD, as a previous answerer says, it simply connects the output from the transmission to the drive shaft. In other words, the rotations from the engine/transmission are "transferred" to the drive shaft, then onto the rear axle and wheels.

Switch it into 4WD, and the transfer case now delivers those rotations equally between the front and rear drive shafts.

Switch it into 4WD-LO, and not only is it delivering rotations to the drive shafts, but it is "reducing" them. By that I mean, for every 2.7 rotations from the transmission, the drive shafts rotate once. What that means is you'll go almost 3x slower than you would in 4WD-HI or 2WD, and you gain that much difference in power (torque).

So that's probably a lot more than you ever wanted to know about your transfer case. Onto your more vital question:

If your transfer case is about to go, you should DEFINITELY get it fixed or replaced. If it goes, not only will you be stranded, but there is a good chance that it could cause damage to your transmission and/or rear axle. If you think a transfer case is pricey, add in a transmission and rear axle, now you're talkin' some bucks!

Now for some good news. If you look on craigslist.com, or go to jeepforum.com and get yourself a user name, you can do a search for people selling their transfer cases. Search for NP231. A lot of offroad-intensive Jeepers swap out their original transfer cases for heavy-duty ones. You can likely find one for around $300-$400, then it's just a matter of having your mechanic install it for you.

Lots of info here, hope I didn't overload. Good luck!

Answer 2

Jeep Tj Transfer Case

Answer 3

A transfer case is used in 4WD vehicles to split power from the transmission between the front and rear axles when 2WD is engaged power is supplied to the rear axle via the rear output shaft on the transfer case. When 4WD is engaged power is then supplied between both the front and rear axles, via gears and usually a chain. When you place the transfer case into 4WD Lo, then another set of gears come into play that multiplies the torque from the transmission and engine, and increases the torque to the wheels, and also lowers the gear ratio, so you can't go as fast in 4WD Lo as you can in 4WD Hi. Basically if the transfer case goes, the vehicle probably isn't going to go anywhere, depending on what breaks. But unless you have been abusing your 4WD system, its unlikely that the transfer case is going out. As for a check engine light, that has nothing to do with a transfer case, or a transmission problem. A check engine light is caused from an emissions system malfunction.

And yes transfer cases can be expensive. As are all 4WD components.

Answer 4

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RE:
What is a transfer case for a jeep wrangler (2000), what does it do, and will I get stranded if it goes on me?
I have been told that mine is going to go, now my engine light is on. But it's so darn expensive!

Answer 5

The transfer case splits and transfers the power from the engine and transmision to the front and rear axles. If it goes on you more than likely you will get stranded. As for the engine light have the vehicle scanned it might be something as little as tighten your gas cap to anything that is computer controled on the engine. Loose gas caps or bad seals on the gas cap is common in Crysler products like your Jeep.

Answer 6

your transfer case is what switches your car form 2 to 4 wheel drive. (aka divides power to both driveshafts from both axles, when need be) im entirely sure if youll get stranded. i just think youll only be able to use either 2 or 4 wheel drive. im guessing it was already making some kind of knocking or vibration in the car which is why you got it checked out. which means that the gears are already shot anywhy. p.s. dont change the gear oil in the transfer case. appilying oil to damaged gears is never, ever a good idea. but in essence, get it checked, perferiably by ASC cert. mechanics.

Answer 7

The transfer case connects the transmission to the drive shraft. The drive shaft drives your rear wheels. There is a second drive shaft coming from the transfer case that connects to the front wheels. Usually this front drive shaft has no power to it. When you want to use four-wheel-drive the transfer case distribute power to both drive shafts. In two-wheel-drive mode it only distributes power to the rear. Without it you don't have power to either. Vehicles with out four-wheel-drive don't have a transfer case, and the drive shaft goes connects directly to the transmission.

You may want to ask what exactly is going out in the transfer case. Ask if it makes a difference if you use only two-wheel-drive mode until you can afford the repairs.