4x4 Questions

[jakestg]

Hello,

I have a 1996 Montero LS 3.0. It has around 230k but it runs flawlessly, the only problem is the 4WD. The four wheel drive works great but I still have a few questions.
It is an automatic transmission.

My questions are:

1. In 2WD my front wheel lights on the dash are flashing nonstop and its quite annoying but when I put into 4high or 4low the lights go solid green, all four.

2. I don't have rear lockers because it is not an SR but is my C/D light in the middle of the diagram supposed to light up also in 4WD? Because it does not.

3. When I put into 4Low, is my truck supposed to feel like it is in a low gear? It feels just like it is in 2wd but the 4low is engaged.

4. I disconnected/reconnected a vacuum line that looked like it was falling off that is closest to the passenger side. It is hooked to the "actuator" with a boot. The line ran in the far right side of the actuator. The lights stopped flashing in 2WD for a good minute but began again later.

5. The 4WD takes about a good 30 seconds of driving to disengage, is this normal?

6. My front drive shaft spins in 2wd and I can't free-spin it by hand, is this normal?

Thanks!

 

[vectorsc]

1. In 2WD my front wheel lights on the dash are flashing nonstop and its quite annoying but when I put into 4high or 4low the lights go solid green, all four.
Flashing probably means solenoid failure OR vacuum line failure. There is a great article on this - search for montero flashing super select or some such - its on an aussie site.

2. I don't have rear lockers because it is not an SR but is my C/D light in the middle of the diagram supposed to light up also in 4WD? Because it does not.
In 4 low or 4Hlc it should light. if it doesnt, that could be the light on the dash or the sensors in the transfer case. The t-case sensors are cleanable if you remove them, which is a pain.

3. When I put into 4Low, is my truck supposed to feel like it is in a low gear? It feels just like it is in 2wd but the 4low is engaged.
It can be subtle - its a 2x multiplier for 4 low. Easiest to notice by driving 10mph in 2h and then in 4lo. Engine RPMS should be quite different. Put the car in 1st gear and lock it there so it doesn't shift out.

4. I disconnected/reconnected a vacuum line that looked like it was falling off that is closest to the passenger side. It is hooked to the "actuator" with a boot. The line ran in the far right side of the actuator. The lights stopped flashing in 2WD for a good minute but began again later.
See the vacuum leak comment. The truck will lock the whole front end in 4wd if the vacuum leaks - on the montero vacuum pulls the truck's front end OUT of 4wd, not puts it into 4wd. Lack of vacuum and other failures lock the front end into 4wd. Good feature for african expeditions and such.

5. The 4WD takes about a good 30 seconds of driving to disengage, is this normal?
Dirty sensors.

6. My front drive shaft spins in 2wd and I can't free-spin it by hand, is this normal?
Nope - the flashing lights ARE telling you the right thing. Transfer case is in 2wd, front end in 4wd.

Thanks![/QUOTE]