I need car help really bad.

[Sean Reynolds]

Yesterday with my friend I was pulling out of his mud lot (normally dirt, but the rain turned it to mud). So I put my Jeep in four wheel L (low) to get out after my Jeep's tires kept spinning. I then took it off (so I thought). Well tonight I noticed a realllly bad noise and I happened to look down to my 4 wheel shift and noticed it was still on 4L (the light, not the stick). Now when you drive in 4L you can't go over 20, right? But I want to know what it does if you do? Does it burn the engine or just the 4 wheel drive?

Because I think I fucked up...well not me, but something was making an awful noise. I don't know WHY it got stuck in 4L, but no matter how many times I'd push it out of 4L the light continues to say it's in 4L).

Anyone know what I did to my Jeep? Am I going to have replace the whole fucking engine or just the 4 Wheel Drive?

[hickman1937]

1. I don't know crap obout cars. I do know that "a really bad noise"

means get to a mechanic now. Electrical systems can glitch but they don't make a bad noise.

[Sean Reynolds]

2. I will tomorrow.....

But I won't sleep tonight if I killed my engine. :(

One good thing...the check engine light never came on while driving home. :)

[hickman1937]

5. Sleepless nights never fixed a damn thing.

Let it go, and fix it tomorrow. Imho.

[punpirate]

3. Not quite enough information....

Does it behave as if it's still in low range? You're only supposed to go 20 mph in low because that's all the engine will tolerate in revs. If you're cruising around at 50-60 mph, that's a pretty good indication that the indicator switch is stuck, rather than the transfer being stuck in low.

You don't say where the noise is coming from. Transmission/transfer case area, engine or front axle/hub area. That might help any diagnosis. Does it make the noise continually, or did it just make it for a short while after it was put into low range. Even though the indicator light is on, does it continue to make noise with the range shift in high?

Cheers.

[Sean Reynolds]

4. Some answers.....

The noise is coming from the engine and it pretty much is continuous until you turn the car off (even if you're not driving), though it does get louder the faster you go. I turned the shift and it still continued to make that noise.....indicating to me that it's probably still stuck in 4L. I don't know though.

I think I killed it. :(

[punpirate]

6. Doesn't answer all the questions...

... but, if you have a slightly older Jeep that's been over-revved, the noise is likely coming from the valve train. It doesn't sound good, but only a decent mechanic is going to be able to tell you what's wrong with it.

You don't describe the noise, so I can't give you any suggestions on the basis of that. Heavy grinding isn't good. Light clatter might not be so bad.

If it's still running, that's a better sign than it not running at all. That's the best I can figure from what you've said. Get it to a reputable shop at low speed, in order to minimize the amount of additional damage, or if you can afford it, have it towed.

Good luck with it.

[Sean Reynolds]

8. I'm never good at describig noise.

It sounded a lot like a Diesel engine.

If that makes sense.

[punpirate]

10. Clackety-clackety-clack?

If so, I'd guess something in the valve train--broken or collapsed lifters, rocker arms broken or displaced, bent pushrods, etc. Not as serious as a broken or cracked crankshaft. Hard to tell by remote control. :)

Get it to a shop soon. Have it towed, if you can--not running it any more than necessary may ultimately be cheaper than trying to run it in the meantime. Be sure to give the shop an accurate account of how it happened.

Good luck.

[Sean Reynolds]

11. I could call you and put the phone up to the engine.

:D j/k

[punpirate]

13. Yeah, you could...

... but, since I'm on dial-up, that might be difficult. :)

Worry not for the moment--just get it into a trustworthy shop soon.

In the grand scheme of things, it's not the worst thing that can happen in life. Ask any Zen mechanic. :)

Cheers.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. Did the Jeep rumble on the road a bit?

If so, it's probably your drive shaft and the light thing is a fluke. YOu can get a rebuilt one for under 500 bucks.

[CornField]

9. Grand Cherokee?

Two shifters in the console? Before you mess with the one on the left (that puts you into low torque) you need to have the engine off. (Have a look in the owner's manual for more information.)

If the engine is now over-revving (I can't imagine going 50-60 while in low torque) or if you're hearing a lovely grinding noise -- get thee to a mechanic.

[Sean Reynolds]

12. It's just a Cherokee.

I'm getting it into the mechanic tomorrow.....I'm pissed tho. :(

[orleans]

14. buy a new car. get a toyorta scion. those are kinda cool looking.

[d_b]

15. Try

www.freerepublic.com They'll know how to fix it. No, I'm not joking.

[Scooter24]

16. OMG

LOLOL!! Didn't see that coming :)

[d_b]

17. I gotta give it to the freepers

They got that NASCAR shit in their blood. Every other freeper probably has a stock car in their yard :p

[TrogL]

18. You probably wrecked your spider gears

in the transmission.

No, I have no idea what I'm talking about, but it happened to me.