School me on XJ's.....

chris1044 · December 11th, 2005, 03:27 PM

I'm not a big jeep guy...I know the 4.0's a damn good engine that will go forever, and I needed a cheap beater so I picked up an 88 xj - 4.0, and I assume AX-15 (it's a stick), NP231?....The things just going to be a DD beater, so I dont really care much about it.

Anyhow, it's got some problems. First and foremost is the oil leak - pretty sure it's the valve cover gasket/oil pan gasket/ rear main. That's no biggy. But it's also got some 4wd issues.

The first "problem" is I can't get 4 low....no matter how far I pull back on the shift lever, it wont engage and stays in neutral....

The second problem is for some reason the part time light is staying on, with or without the thing in 4 hi, and occasionally it wont engage in 4 hi as well. I know it's got the vacuum shift fork on the axle, but that's "been replaced"....if the things in only 2wd and the part time lights on, does that mean the front axle is engaged? If so will it break anything to drive it like that for a while?

I havent even taken a look underneath to see what the problem could be, and I'm basically just asking if there is any known common occurance that would cause this (yes I know it could be alot of things), and if theres any other thing I should keep an eye out for..

FlatFender · December 13th, 2005, 12:03 PM

The transmission is most likely going to be the Puke-goat BA-10 The transmission normally has some problems with the second gear and stuff. Ite mostly regarded as junk. There are a few that have done well for a lot of miles, but not many.

Sometimes for 4 low you will need to put the tranny into neutral to get it back there.

If the light is staying on, its most likely a stuck switch.

chris1044 · December 13th, 2005, 12:32 PM

Yeah, I did some more research and found that the tranny is a peugot POS.

How hard is it to swap in the ax15 and whats needed? Just curious...

December 11th, 2005, 03:27 PM	#1
chris1044 Senior Member Join Date: 11-05-05 Location: Ann Arbor Posts: 1,317 iTrader: (1)	School me on XJ's..... I'm not a big jeep guy...I know the 4.0's a damn good engine that will go forever, and I needed a cheap beater so I picked up an 88 xj - 4.0, and I assume AX-15 (it's a stick), NP231?....The things just going to be a DD beater, so I dont really care much about it. Anyhow, it's got some problems. First and foremost is the oil leak - pretty sure it's the valve cover gasket/oil pan gasket/ rear main. That's no biggy. But it's also got some 4wd issues. The first "problem" is I can't get 4 low....no matter how far I pull back on the shift lever, it wont engage and stays in neutral.... The second problem is for some reason the part time light is staying on, with or without the thing in 4 hi, and occasionally it wont engage in 4 hi as well. I know it's got the vacuum shift fork on the axle, but that's "been replaced"....if the things in only 2wd and the part time lights on, does that mean the front axle is engaged? If so will it break anything to drive it like that for a while? I havent even taken a look underneath to see what the problem could be, and I'm basically just asking if there is any known common occurance that would cause this (yes I know it could be alot of things), and if theres any other thing I should keep an eye out for..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Register to remove all ads. Registration is free! Sponsored Links
Great Lakes 4x4 Advertisement

December 13th, 2005, 12:03 PM	#2
FlatFender Hicup Join Date: 11-05-05 Location: Raleigh NC Posts: 7,767 iTrader: (1)	The transmission is most likely going to be the Puke-goat BA-10 The transmission normally has some problems with the second gear and stuff. Ite mostly regarded as junk. There are a few that have done well for a lot of miles, but not many. Sometimes for 4 low you will need to put the tranny into neutral to get it back there. If the light is staying on, its most likely a stuck switch.

December 13th, 2005, 12:32 PM	#3
chris1044 Senior Member Join Date: 11-05-05 Location: Ann Arbor Posts: 1,317 iTrader: (1)	Yeah, I did some more research and found that the tranny is a peugot POS. How hard is it to swap in the ax15 and whats needed? Just curious...