Sticky 2-4 wheel drive operation

[will.b]

As the title suggests, when starting from stationary, the 2 to 4, and back again, 4 to 2 wheel drive, using the button, it changes perfectly, sometimes going into reverse helps if it is a bit slow. However when on the move, it takes ages to engage/disengage and going from 4 back to 2 the steering is very stiff making cornering awkward. When the orange middle light flashes it can take 20 mins to disconnect, and wiggling the steering wheel does not seem to help matters. Is it just a matter of greasing somewhere, or a symptom of another problem?
Any ideas?, thanks in advance.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Try selecting neutral and/or lifing off the gas pedal when selecting AWD.

The steering shouldn't be stiff in AWD, are you moving the transfer lever as well or pressing the button only?

[Nige. coll]

i could be wrong

the button on the selector stick operates the vacuum powered unit on the front axle.
if that is sticking i would start by checking the oil level and condition in the front axle.

the orange light is the diff lock light that is controlled by a motor on the back of the transfer box.
the motor can get gummed up with corrosion but when that goes you lose all 4wd capability. still drives but only 2 wd

if the 4wd L (stick pulled back) isn't used a lot there is a shaft sticking out from the transfer box that can become stiff you wont see it because it's inside the electric control unit .
try checking oil level and condition in transfer box .

[will.b]

Thanks for the prompt replies

This problem only occurs when using the button on the gearstick, if I use 4L it engages\disengages immediately. To Bushwacker: the green lights and orange light flash while it tries to go from 4 to 2 wheel drive, when cornering the tyres squeal with some juddering, suggesting they are travelling at different speeds. I will try draining the front axle, and replacing to see if that makes a difference. I will also try going into neutral to see how that goes. (I always have eased off/on the throttle to try to unstick it). Thanks again.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Is your transfercase the multi-mode version?

[will.b]

4 wheel drive

Yes, its the multimode version.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Yes, its the multimode version.

Right, the transfer lever should always be in H2 (over to the left and forward) under normal driving conditions, just press the button on the side of the lever if you require AWD. (4 green icons, NO orange centre)
If the orange light is on and you're driving in on hard surfaces, thats why the steering feels stiff and the front tyres chirp.

All other positions on the transfer lever are for offroad and/or loose/slippery surfaces only.

[will.b]

The transfer lever is in the correct position, whenever I change to or from 2 or 4 wd the 4 green lights and the orange centre flash. This has happened since I have had the vehicle, (some 10 years). When it engages just the 4 green lights show permanently. Are you saying the orange light should not flash at all?. If that is the case, that the orange centre flashes, what is causing the problem.

[Nige. coll]

does yours have the vacuum res under the wing? mine doesn't but they can rot away and cause loss of vacuum.

you could look at the pipe work from the 2 electric actuators on the passenger inner wing to the unit on the axle. any split pipes would make it lose vacuum and not have as much pull/push .

been told the diaphragm can go on the selector unit on the front axle i hope it isn't that as they are £400 +

mine seems to work better if i rev the engine a little as it is driven from the vac pump on the engine .
but the same way it won't disengage unless i'm moving sometimes . using it on tarmac could be putting pressure on the drive train and jamming the gear until the pressure is released. i know on some 4x4 's the wheel can spin and break your arm if you jack it up and the car has been on tarmac in 4wd .

[will.b]

Nige, I will investigate the pipework as soon as possible. It would seem there is something wrong, but it only happens when moving. This could suggest a lack of vaccum when the drive train is under stress.

[Nige. coll]

using awd on tarmac could be part of it.
try it on lose surface see if it's the same .

not sure why diff lock light is flashing though . my surf is same year etc but my bulb has blown on difflock light so i cant see if it does the same. i'll fix it in next couple of days and let you know.

[will.b]

Video of 2-4 wd operation when stationary

Video of operation 4-2 wheel drive when stationary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg3l7MibfbI

[Sparkie67]

Hi, it is the same as my multi mode box. The orange light flashes whilst in the process of engaging / disengaging the 4wd. Orange light only stays on when you lock the centre diff.

[will.b]

Thanks for the response, I was hoping that changing the oil in the front axle, and transfer box would solve the problem. Even trying Neutral does not make any difference. I have checked all pipes, tubing etc, but to no avail, not sure what to try next Perhaps do the mod which is posted

[chris henry]

Hi
Have you managed to sort this as I now have the same problem on my surf...