Please Help! How to operate the 4WD system on L400

[tinykiss]

Hello
Sorry for being a newbie here. I was trying to find a simple explanation of how the 4wd system works. I have no mechanical knowledge and to be honest don't care what part moves where to lock/unlock this or that as I don't understand it anyway....at least not yet.....

Can someone tell me what each of the options are/do.

2H (rear wheel drive obviously)

4H

4HLc

4LLc

What does each do and how to use them and not abuse them. Can I transfer on the fly from 2 to 4 and at what max speed and into which gears? I assume if I can that only into 4H correct?

Oh and also the A/T mode button. I think it has to do mostly with towing or slowing in bad weather....

Thank you for your help......
TK

[davidwwc]

You can try downloading the details from the forum. Go to the download page (from board index ) and you can find l400 downloads. If you look at the one for 1997 ,there is a good explanation how to operate the 4WD system.

Cheers,
DC

[jessef]

read

http://www.delica.ca/forum/cant-get-out ... 10677.html

2H - 2 wheel drive (rear wheels spin)
4H - all wheel drive (all wheels spin and VC enables slip between front/rear axles)
4HLc - p/t 4 wheel drive 4x4 high locked (offroad use only)
4HLlc - p/t 4 wheel drive 4x4 low locked (offroad use only)

When you shift the floor shifter ...

2H to 4H - the shifter physically pushes the internal shift fork inside the transfer case engaging the viscous coupler (otherwise known as : awd - all wheel drive - full time 4wd - quattro - syncro and center differential lock) AND actuates the solenoid (by the fuse box) which actuates the vacuum solenoid on the front axle.

This mode 2H to 4H and vice versa is shiftable 'on the fly' meaning while the vehicle is in motion.

You will feel a light click (front axle engaging) and then the steering wheel will have more resistance to it while cornering.

To engage true 4x4 or 4 wheel drive , you have to stop the vehicle and either put it in park or neutral. Then you have to push the lever forwards and sideways to 4HLc to enter into 4x4 mode. Like above, the shifter moves the internal shift fork inside the transfer case. All mechanical movements. And like above, the solenoids are actuated for the front axle.

You cannot shift into the above mode 4HLc or 4HLlc while the vehicle is in motion. That is the safety feature. If you force it hard enough, it is possible but it would take a lot of force on the shifter and you'll hear some crunching.

So, putting it simply.

Trust the floor shifter as it is a direct mechanical control of the transfer case.

If you are in 2H and feel heavy resistance on the road while cornering, likely the front axle solenoid has not disengaged.

Now you can look at the lights on the dash.

Solid - you're in that gear
Flashing - you've made a switch or the solenoid has not engaged/disengaged yet.

If the lights keep flashing, try tapping on the brake pedal which moving forward or backing up and then moving forward.

If that does not work, one of three things are possible (like Assiniboine said)

1. The control solenoid(one or both) is broken and needs to be replaced
2. The vacuum switch on the front axle is broken and needs to be replaced
2. The connection in the back of the instrument cluster is loose and needs to be either cleaned or replaced

[tinykiss]

Thanks everyone.....Just what I needed. Don't know why I couldn't find this info in a search.....Thanks again :)

TK

[Delicashop.com]

In all that muddle I'm sure there is a basic how to engage/disengage.

Simply ensure driving in a straight line under 100km/hr foot off accelerator and push lever forward one step to engage AWD.

To disengage same principal, foot off accelerator to send signal to Vac solenoid and lights will stop flashing immediately and the continue driving. I use it for wet or gravel roads all the time in and out as easy to lose the backend on one of these given the power compared to a L300.

As stated prev to go real 4WD park or neutral then select. Orange diff lights comes on.

[jessef]

In all that muddle I'm sure there is a basic how to engage/disengage.

Simply ensure driving in a straight line under 100km/hr foot off accelerator and push lever forward one step to engage AWD.

To disengage same principal, foot off accelerator to send signal to Vac solenoid and lights will stop flashing immediately and the continue driving. I use it for wet or gravel roads all the time in and out as easy to lose the backend on one of these given the power compared to a L300.

As stated prev to go real 4WD park or neutral then select. Orange diff lights comes on.

It may be muddle to you but it's exactly the basic L400 4WD operational information well suited to others.

[Delicashop.com]

KISS for newbies and one for you <3