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4WD Problems
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 12:31 pm
by sigurross
I question if my 4WD is working on my new delica or not.
I have followed instructions on engaging/disengaging 4WD the forum and on Comox valley Delica's website and am concerned I'm not hearing the "clunk" of the front wheels locking/unlocking.
Is there a quick test I could do to verify 4wd is operational? Well, aside from going to a large open gravel parking lot and flooring it and getting someone to watch.
Let me know if you need any model numbers or anything as I'm sure there could be operational nuances between the various models.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Re: 4WD Problems
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 1:28 pm
by jessef
put in in 4H or 4L, put the gear selector in Park, pull the e-brake, chock the rear wheels, jack up the front and try to rotate the wheels.
If both wheels spin freely and the front driveshaft is turning, then your 4x4 is not engaging at the transfer case/shifter.
If both wheels spin freely and the front driveshaft is locker/does not turn, then your 4x4 is engaging properly at the transfer case/shifter and you have an issue with either the hubs or the vacuum solenoid.
Re: 4WD Problems
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 6:01 pm
by sigurross
Thanks for that info. I will try this when I can get my hands on a jack.
I've had a through look at my dash lights and I see no evidence of their being a "wheel lock" light. I've been reading about this for a bit and seems like everybody alludes to this light. Is it possible my model has manual hubs?
* edit* So I was reading elsewhere on the forum and someone mentioned that some l300's don't have the auto locking feature. If that is the case with mine I would assuming my hubs are always locked unless I change them manually?
- Jason
Re: 4WD Problems
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:06 pm
by FalcoColumbarius
What do the hubs say on your front wheels?
Falco.
Re: 4WD Problems
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:09 pm
by konadog
My bus doesn't have a wheel lock lamp either. I have manual hubs now, but it came with permanently locked flanges. Does yours look like this?
Re: 4WD Problems
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:58 pm
by sigurross
They look very similar!
So I could assume that my front hubs are always locked. If so, procedurally, i should be able to go in and out of 2 & 4h provided I'm going a reasonable speed? Is it still prudent to be stopped and in neutral to switch into (and out of) 4l?
Falco, the only printing on the is this:

Re: 4WD Problems
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:06 pm
by konadog
Your hubs are always locked. You can switch from 2high to 4 high while driving as long as you are going in a straight line and on a slippy surface (gravel, snow, ice). To go in and out of 4 low you must stop and put the bus in neutral before shifting the transfer case into and out of 4 low. You could get some manual lockers./ You won;t save heaps in fuel, but you do have the option of using 4 low on a sticky surface - I use it for backing a trailer up my steep and curvy driveway.
Re: 4WD Problems
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:11 pm
by sigurross
Completely off topic but konadog, the dog in your display picture and signature is beautiful.
Here is a picture of our pup in the del:
Oh and thanks to all of you for the responses.
Re: 4WD Problems
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:12 pm
by konadog
Gorgeous!!

Re: 4WD Problems
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:23 pm
by FalcoColumbarius
Re: 4WD Problems
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 12:17 am
by nxski
Another way to test 4x4 is with the cafeteria tray test

Re: 4WD Problems
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:34 am
by konadog

Huh? Don't you like dogs Falco...?