Newbie questions from a Chilean newbie

[Zaplaje]

Hi everybody, Im Roberto from Chile. Since I saw a Delica for a first time I wanted one, but laws and regulations here about importing used cars are very restrictives. But it wasn't imposible so 2 weeks ago I finally got my 1998 SWB 16" wheeled 2.8 TDI AT Jasper. Is not a beauty queen but, as we say around here, it have a nice "far". It run very nicelly for her 260.000 kms, but I notice some issues and I think Im in the right place to ask. I have a few questions:

1.- it have the infamous Super Select front wheels blinking lights. Im studying the causes and solutions in posts in this forum, but my concern right now is if the lights are blinking, means that the 4wd is engaged or disengaged? I ask because the fuel consumption is really low (around 6 km/L in the city and 7.5 in the highway) and maybe that's why

2.- the idle is high, about 950 rpm in D, R, 2 and L gears, but it raises to 1.050-1.000 in N or P. Is normal that it raise the idle rpm when I change gears? The thottle knob doesn't work, the cable is loose

3.- can I move the middle bench seat in a way that give me a full space for cargo? I mean like deploy it fully to the front?. I think I saw a picture around here but I can't find it.

I have many questions but those are the ones that I remember right now.
I will use it for every day use (for when my motorcycle is not enought), family trips and camping.

This forum rocks! Thanks very much!

[Big-Bird]

Hi everybody, Im Roberto from Chile. Since I saw a Delica for a first time I wanted one, but laws and regulations here about importing used cars are very restrictives. But it wasn't imposible so 2 weeks ago I finally got my 1998 SWB 16" wheeled 2.8 TDI AT Jasper. Is not a beauty queen but, as we say around here, it have a nice "far". It run very nicelly for her 260.000 kms, but I notice some issues and I think Im in the right place to ask. I have a few questions:

1.- it have the infamous Super Select front wheels blinking lights. Im studying the causes and solutions in posts in this forum, but my concern right now is if the lights are blinking, means that the 4wd is engaged or disengaged? I ask because the fuel consumption is really low (around 6 km/L in the city and 7.5 in the highway) and maybe that's why

A)There are 2 lights that flash, the green one that indicates a front differential engagement issue and the center yellow one which is a transfer case indicator light. The green flashing light is usually a result of the vacuum solenoid pair on the right inner fender not working. It can also be the vacuum accumulator can at the front differential which can sometimes jam in the open or closed position. There is a simple test for the solenoids but you need a hand vacuum pump to do this. The metal can: simple hand tools and some patience will get the actuator pin moving free. The yellow light is usually sensor/switch related. At the top of the A/T is a group of 5 switches. There are 2 switches in this group that can fail and cause the problem....is your ABS warning light on as well? As for your fuel economy.....you may have fuel system issues that are making your Deli run very rich...do you get lots of black smoke from the tailpipe? Injector cleaning, fuel pump adjustment, new fuel filter and check your brakes for excess heat....you might have a brake system that sticks. Does the turbo work properly?

2.- the idle is high, about 950 rpm in D, R, 2 and L gears, but it raises to 1.050-1.000 in N or P. Is normal that it raise the idle rpm when I change gears? The thottle knob doesn't work, the cable is loose.

A)Your idle in park is far too high...I bet it shifts into gear a little harder than it should? My L400 idles at 850-900 rpm in park and neutral and drops to 800 in gear.

3.- can I move the middle bench seat in a way that give me a full space for cargo? I mean like deploy it fully to the front?. I think I saw a picture around here but I can't find it.

A) the bench seat should have 2 levers. One at the front just barely sticking out below the middle seat area. This allows the bench to move forward and back a few inches. Your bench should have a flipped up jump seat or 3rd seat....In between the middle and jump seat at the corner is a lever that lifts up...this lever will allow you to spin the bench seat 90 and 180 degrees around. You will need to slide the bench to make room for this spinning.

I have many questions but those are the ones that I remember right now.
I will use it for every day use (for when my motorcycle is not enought), family trips and camping.

This forum rocks! Thanks very much!

[Zaplaje]

Thanks very much Big-Bird for your help.

The lights that are blinking are just the green ones. I read a lot about it and I will fix it myself when I have the time, I would like o know if my front differential is engaged or disengaged, maybe that's why my consumption is so high.

Now that you pointed it out, I remember now that my abs light comes on when I run the delica AT highway speed. If I drive in the streets the light remains off, but at highway speeds the light turns on and it will stay on untill I turn off the engine. Then if I turn it on again, the light turns off untill I go to the highway.

No black smoke in my Deli

Yes, some times is a little hard to change gears (i changed all oils to spec grade oils when I received the truck). What can I do about the idle problem?

About the bench, I know how to move it front and back, turn it too, but I was wandering if there is a "folding" mode to gain more space.

Thanks very much for your help! And Sorry about my english

[Big-Bird]

The bench does not fold up. It can be removed only by unbolting the pivot mount in the floor...and the seat is heavy, takes 2 people to move it out.

The green light will flash if there is a vacuum fault. It doesn't care if the system is engaged or not. As both conditions will cause the same fault code.....green flash. There is a pair of solenoids with black hoses coming out in 6 ports. 3 lines have yellow stripes, 3 have blue stripes. One solenoid engages the front differential lock, the other disengages it. They are merely valves that direct the vacuum flow.
Try and engage 4wd and drive around a little. If the green light stays solid then you have positive lock. If it still flashes then you have a combination problem and the best way to fix it is to check the whole vacuum system for the front diff and start eliminating problems one at a time. Thankfully this system is simple and only has 2 moving parts and 2 solenoids......still its a pain!

The UK deli site has tons of info which is what I referenced for my super-select issues and I had both system failures...just waiting for the new switches to get rid of the yellow flash now....rather annoying!

[Zaplaje]

When I engage the 4wd, the front wheels light remains on (some times it take a little bit but they stay on), Then when I move the lever to 2H, the lights keep flashing

I would like to know if the 4wd is engaged or not when the lights are flashing (in 2H) only to see
If that's the reason why my mileage is so low, because I asume that if the van is engaged in 4wd all the time, it will consume more diesel