4 Wheel Drive Stuck

[patty]

I dont know what happened, iv been useing my four wheel on and off ever since a bought the delica, snowy day at an intersection dont want to look like an ass and spin out so just quickley put her in 4 wheel on the red light then goes green you make the turn and take it out.Things like that, untill the other day when i put 4 wheel in and no light came on in the dash only the locked wheel lights came on so i figured "well the light just burnt out" then when i took it out of for wheel nothing changed.usualy you can feel the change back to 2W.So i decided to test to see if it was still in,here the sinario ( i know its a dumb way to test it) the stick is in 2W position but i think its still in 4W, so i give it some gas and then put the stick into 4W ( because delica's arnt on the fly) it should make a nasty niose of grinding gears, but nothing.How do i get it out of 4W?

[Green1]

best suggestion I have would be to cycle it all the way through to 4 low, drive 30 metres or so, then put it back in 2wd and reverse for 30 metres or so....
At least that's where I would start, if it's still stuck, then I'd say there's an issue with the transfer case and you should have a 4wd mechanic look at it...

[loki]

so wait, there is a light other than the wheel lock light for when it is in 4x4? I need to check mine out then as I only get the wheel lock light but I have heard the nasty grind to find out that it wasn't shift on the fly. That said, does anyone have a translation of the owners manual page on the transfer case shifting? I would like to know what they recommend for what gear to have the tranny in and so on for shifting in and out of 4x4 and 4lo

[Green1]

there is a wheel lock light, as well as a light that has a picture of the wheels and transmission (it is at the bottom end of the gear indicator row) the wheel lock light comes on when the wheels are locked, even if you are in 2wd, the other light comes on when you put it in 4wd, it is pretty common for the second light not to work, apparently there is a yellow wire on the transfer case that is a bit fragile.

As for how to use 4wd:

From 2wd with hubs unlocked you must be stationary to engage 4wd, any gear will do. put the transfer case to 4 high and drive until the both lights comes on. you are now in 4wd. Once the wheels are locked you can shift in and out of 4wd on the fly as long as the following conditions are met:
- all 4 wheels are turning the same speed (you're not slipping)
- you are driving forward only (reverse will unlock the hubs if not in 4wd)
- you are not turning a corner (see the first point about the wheels turning at the same speed)
- you are at a max speed of 60km/hr (this one is often advocated, however I've had no trouble shifting on the fly at over 80km/hr)

To shift in to or out of 4 Low you must be stopped with the transmission in neutral (and no, park isn't good enough, has to be neutral)

To unlock the hubs (to get back to 2wd for normal driving) you must reverse for several metres with the transfer case in 2wd. (this should be done in a straight line)

While in 4wd you can use any gear you want, lower gears are good for steep hills...

One other thing to note about the 4wd system, this is a true 4wd, and NOT an all-wheel-drive system. as such there is no centre differential, this means that 4wd should never be used on a surface with good traction (such as dry pavement) as it can damage the 4wd system (and cause a lot of extra tire wear)

[patty]

so i just tried what you suggested green. the whole put it in 4 low and then 2w and reverse, it worked but still its not like i can do that every time i use four wheel, i dont like driving the whole distance home in 4w i just liek using it when i get stuck ( you know every one is looking at this funny van and there all think ha hes so stuck, but then you put he rin 4 and it kills it)i like the surprise. i geuss on my next tune up i will get it checked out

[loki]

Thanks Green1. Good to know about the 4x4 light, I will have to check it out some time. Also good to have clarification on the shifting of the transfer case.

[Green1]

so i just tried what you suggested green. the whole put it in 4 low and then 2w and reverse, it worked but still its not like i can do that every time i use four wheel, i dont like driving the whole distance home in 4w i just liek using it when i get stuck ( you know every one is looking at this funny van and there all think ha hes so stuck, but then you put he rin 4 and it kills it)i like the surprise. i geuss on my next tune up i will get it checked out

well... if you're lucky, it was a one time thing for one reason or other and you'll never have to do it again....
you can also try a more simplified version of just putting it in 2wd and reversing a ways which is likely the part that did it for you.
really without that extra light working it's kinda hard to tell what the vehicle is really doing... (reminder to self, I really need to fix that light!)

keep in mind, that you CAN shift on the fly from 2wd to 4wd as long as the wheels are locked, so if the transfer case was legitimately NOT in 4wd, but the wheels were still locked, you would have what you are describing with being able to put it in 4wd without grinding.
the only way to unlock the hubs is by reversing. but you can safely drive long distances with the hubs locked in 2wd with no risk (only a slight drop in fuel economy)

[patty]

so where do you think the yellow wire is located

[Green1]

so where do you think the yellow wire is located

I haven't fixed mine yet, so I'm no expert, but there are other posts on this forum about it, do a search...
From what I've read, it's on the transfer case under the vehicle and often gets broken.

[torchard]

For a little bit more clarity...

The green wheel lock light tells you that the front hubs are engaged. I assume this light is switched to the solenoid that kicks your auto hubs into action.

The indicator that consists of a picture of four wheels and drive line tells you when the transfer case is engaged. When they are both lit you're hubs are locked and the transfer case is engaged. Now you're 4-wheelin'!

See this thread http://www.delica.ca/forum/4wd-indicato ... html#p7508

However, as noted, often one or both of these are not working. Sounds like it's typically due to wires broken down there e.g. ripped apart or worn through due to age and vibration, etc.

Both of mine were out. I fixed one wire and got my transfer case indicator operating by opening the wiring loom that is down and around the transmission/transfer case (I think the control unit is mounted down there). I didn't know which was which at the time. The wheel lock light is still inoperable. Not sure what colour wire connects to which switch, but one is better than none.

Also there is a fairly noticable snap when the hubs disengage when reversing.

EDIT: by squinting at the electrical pdf it appears one is yellow and one is brown

[marsgal42]

There are a number of posts floating around about how to work the transfer case and hubs. Perhaps this is a candidate for the FAQ section?

...laura

[Schwa]

I assume this light is switched to the solenoid that kicks your auto hubs into action.

I think it's more complicated than that, although it may be simpler than I think... I've noticed that the hub lock light doesn't come on until well after the hubs actually lock (sound-wise) and at other times when the hubs are locked the light will turn off momentarily if the rear wheels are slipping, so my theory is that it somehow detects the rotation of the front axle and compares that to the rotation of the rear axle to determine weather the light should be on or not.