Another 4wd engagement issue

[Antshiel]

I got out the manual which luckily I had with me and it suggested reversing slightly, look I’m sure your all quite right and its me that’s got it wrong ( it wont be the first time).

I'm not saying you are wrong , if the centre diff was already locked you will wind up tanny on tarmac but in the unlocked position, the centre diff is not locking the front and rear wheels and therefore allowing both front and rears to turn freely at different speeds.

[div3r]

Well we better make sure we give the correct advise I would hate to see him bollixing his transmission driving around with those lights flashing. As a side bar when I was out in the snow I got the lights flashing deliberately stoped then pulled away and all four wheels were spinning lights still flashing

[Antshiel]

If your lights are flashing continuosly, you've got problems.
That said they do flash prior to 4wd engaging.
Still nothing to do with the centre diff.

[div3r]

As I said before I am obviously talking rubbish…… Again!!

[marky]

97 ssrx 3L When i got my 1999 surf i had the same problem, It had obvously not been used in 4x4 for a while after a week of selecting 4wd on the switch it finally worked 1st time every time. Just persevere for a bit.
P.S 3RD GENS have a centre diff so 4x4 on tarmac is ok unlike 2nd gens

[ash-ssrg]

I'm with div3r

Just been wandering thru old posts and stumbled on this....

My 4wd is a pain in the ass!

have to add: If I select the 4wd switch, lights flash and I immediately get centre diff locking and 4wd on my 3rd gen. Lights keep flashing though.

I suspect that, part of the sequence-of-events during 4wd engagement is for the centre diff to lock momentarily, but on mine, the sequence stops there and goes no further. (tight steering etc.)

Luckily, as soon as I deselect the 4wd switch, the centre diff unlocks and I'm back in rwd.

The lights may flash for days /weeks after that though!!!

On a positive note though, every one of the few times I went off-road, selected 4wd, it always ends up kicking in and working properly after a few minutes on its own when on sand / gravel! (non-flashing greens)

I've never ever got it to work on tarmac though.

Wish there was someone who knew the 3rd gen multimode system. Been to my local jap importer mechanics, Toyota Warrington, asked on this forum etc. but no-one seems to have a clue!!!

Even the 90 series Landcruisers (that the 3rd gens share a chassis and drivetrain with) had a different setup (permanent 4wd).

Anywayz................feels good to share my troubles if nothing else.

[joecuba]

For the 3rd Gen AUTO, ALWAYS select 4WD whilst in NEUTRAL and stationary. It should go click click and the 4 green lights come on.

If the lights are flashing and the centre diff light is flashing, it means the centre diff is LOCKED and you will get transmission windup.

For some reason, the diff is locked during transition from 2WD to 4WD (using just the button, no shifting).

[soramad]

quote from the drivers hand book - one touch 2-4 selector switch operation.
by pressing the switch you can change from 2wd to 4wd,
this system will not work when the vehicles speed is over100km/hr.
when you have selected a mode check the display to see if the correct selection has been made.
push in for 4wd(on) push again,out, for 2wd(off) options

THIS OPTION CAN NOT BE USED WHEN THE TRANSFER LEVER IS IN L4L.
ONLY PRESS THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING FORWARD IN A STRAIGHT LINE.
ONLY PRESS THE SWITCH WHEN ALL FOUR WHEELS ARE FIRMLY IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.

after this option has been selected, should the display start to flash, decrease speed(if it is safe to do so)or stop the vehicle and reverse back slightly, this helps the gearing to take hold.
should a buzzer sound when switching the system on, turn the switch off and slow down or stop then try again.

it then goes on to say , only use h2 or h4 on paved or tar sealed roads, using h4 central diff lock on normal roads will cause unneccessary wear on the tyres and is not very economical.
transfering h2l - n - l4l
for manual transmission the vehical should be stopped or traveling less than 8 km/hr.
for auto transmission the vehical should be stopped with the transmission in neutral before the selection is made.

do not use h4l or l4l options on normal roads, as the centre diff is in lock mode and will not help with cornering making the vehicle slower, uneconomical and cause excessive wear on the tyres.

hope this clarifies the situation.