Slipping Grinding problem when cold

[JRay]

I have a 2003 XLT, V8, with control track 4WD. Whenever the engine/transmission is cold, I feel a minor slipping with a slight grinding as I accelerate from a stop while turning....only when turning. It's the same sort of feel that you get when you have the 4WD locked in on dry pavement and turn your wheels, so I'm guessing that it's something to do with the lube in the transfer case, especially since the problem goes away once things heat up.
It's still under warranty, but I have no faith in dealers finding intermittent and "slight" problems. So, I'm starting here. Then I'll go to the dealer with some possible things to check. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[cjbarron5]

full time 4x4 or can you select 2wd? if you can select 2wd it may be an electrical problem but that may be a little far fetched for an 03 try the wheel sensors too even if it is full time 4x4

 

[JRay]

Thanks for your "2 cents". It is the full-time 4wd....I think. It has 3 buttons on the dash: auto 4wd; high 4wd; and low 4wd. I think that in auto mode it will put power to any wheel that is needed.

 

[cjbarron5]

yep it will and if a wheel sensor is bad it might be getting the signal at the wrong time