What would cause a 2001 tribute to be stuck in 4X4 but not until the truck is running and you put it in drive or reverse please help?

When the vehicle is not running it will not stay in 4x4. The new vehicles of today are not put in four wheel drive by pulling a lever, they are placed in four wheel drive by pushing a button. When pushing that button it engages the small motor in your transfer case telling it to apply pressure either by air or hydrolics. When the vehicle is in the off position it is not telling the transfer case to hold in the four wheel drive position. If the vehicle is stuck in four wheel drive when it is running you need to find out if it is all wheels drive all the time or it is only 2 wheel drive until you place it in either 4hi or 4lo.