Need your thoughts on 2006 transfer problem

[Bill C]

Hi,
I'm new but I have been following threads on the topic of "Service 4WD System" since my dealer informed me that it would cost me $1,800 to make it go away. This car is my wife's and has never been on grass let alone off road. I have not yet checked the appearance of the oil but here's what happened yesterday. I was backing out of a parking space and when I moved forward the car was in low range! I had not touched the control. I shifted back to high range but it then dawned on me that this same phenomenon preceded my service light coming on about 3 weeks ago.
The transfer case thread seemed to indicate that a truly toasted transfer case would not let the driver put it in low range. There was another thread that talked (over my head) about a software problem. What happened to me yesterday was definitely an uncommanded action which sounds to my old ears like some sort of weird electrical or computer issue.

We've had Jeeps for many years and still have a 2000 Cherokee that is still almost new with just under 200K. Our personal best was just under 400K with a 1994 model and there have been Cherokees before and after it.

My Cherokee has never in its life decided to go into another gear all by itself. I like that.

I sure would appreciate any thoughts you have. If I really have to replace the transfer case I'll do it but that, I think, should be the last option.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Bill C in CT
2006 Commander 4.7L 80K miles

[kmax]

Bill - seems like a shift actuator problem to me, not the transfer case itself. My 2006 did a similar thing when the actuator was soaked from slush on the road. My transfer case would shift from high to low while I was driving - not good noises. My dealer took the actuator apart, repacked it with dielectric grease and I never had the same issue again. Probably not exactly the same thing, but something to look at before you replace the case.

[Bill C]

Thanks for your advice Kmax. I will discuss this with my dealer this week. Your experience makes a lot more sense than just tossing a pile of dough at a problem that doesn't seem well diagnosed yet.
I'll follow up on this forum with results.
Thanks again,
Bill C in Ct

[07JeepXK]

I would also recommend starting with the actuator and go from there.