99 limited with centre diff issues

[Hydrant]

New member here with a issue with a 99 limited I bought Boxing Day. I've done a bit of searching with no success. When I push the 4x4 button the display flashes 4 tires Green and the yellow centre diff yellow. When the transfer case (and I'm assuming the add hubs lock) is done shifting the 4 tires stay green and the yellow centre diff goes out. Awd seems to be working fine at this point. When I shift the lever down into 4dwl I'm assuming the centre diff lis supposed to lock and the yellow light come on but no dice. Also in case it was locked and the light just not coming on while turning, on dry pavement I'm not getting any binding like you would in 4wd with a traditional locked transfer case. I read about the 03 and up centre diffs sticking and owners loosening bolts and trying to free it, but I assume the transfer case I have in my 99 is different because mine is actually shifted not an electronic button.

Thanks in advance
Any advice troubleshooting this is appreciated.

 

[Hydrant]

So I took some time to try to figure it out tonight. It turned out the centre diff was stuck. I tapped the actuator first then shifted back and forth probably twenty or more times in a row and low and behold it finally worked. After meeting the previous owner I'm sure she just never had the need to lock it and it froze up after not being use for 16 years! These transfer cases must be reliable! There's next to nothing about repairing or rebuilding them out there.

 

[ScubaS]

Glad you got it working! There's next to nothing about repairing or rebuilding the tc because it's easier and often more cost effective to simply replace it.

FYI, when you shift the lever from 2/4H to 4HL on the 99 limited it's just a fancy way to press a button that sends a signal to the tc actuator. The only mechanical shift is when you go into 4L.

 

[Hydrant]

Glad you got it working! There's next to nothing about repairing or rebuilding the tc because it's easier and often more cost effective to simply replace it.

FYI, when you shift the lever from 2/4H to 4HL on the 99 limited it's just a fancy way to press a button that sends a signal to the tc actuator. The only mechanical shift is when you go into 4L.

Thanks. I figured that out after a little reading. The shift lever doesn't exactly have a real feel to it either. I'm real happy with how sure footed the suv is! Even without the tc locked it impressive. It was either a 4Runner or a Cherokee with the 4.0 and I'm glad I went this route. Especially now that the tc is functioning properly.