This is most likely an ignorant question, but here goes. I have had my EX for 2 years. When it snowed, I would switch it into 4WD by turning the **** on the dash. I could feel the 4WD, esp. when I turned.

This year, it snowed for the first time a few days ago. I switched it into 4WD, but kept getting stuck and not getting out of my driveway. My neighbor came out to see if I had unlocked the hubs. He went and switched them from Auto to Lock and I immediately felt the difference. I have since re-read the owners manual but the locking (or unlocking) the hubs is mentioned, but it is not clear what the driver is supposed to do. I thought leaving them on auto would do the trick. (When I switched by to 2WD) I took the hubs off of lock and back to auto.

Any thoughts or help would be appreciated so I know if I am doing the right thing or wrong thing.

Thanks in advance.

 

From what I have read here on FTE when you are in "auto" a vacuum line is actuating the hubs to lock/unlock for 4wd. More than likely your vacuum or seals are no longer keeping a good seal to actuate the 4wd. Probably why it worked when switched manually which is actually a good thing that everything else is in good working order. Just need either new vacuum line/lines or seals would be my best guess.

 

It is a good thing that you can still turn them manually.

380 pretty much explained it. Quick way to tell if vacuum is put heater to vent and if you get heat to windshield you got a vacuum leak. The system is set up to default to w/s when vacuum leak.
Sometimes the plastic elbows jus behind the top of the tire on inner fender break or the rubber line disinter grate there first, or behind tire where rubber line attaches to hub. Then check the lines higher back. Quick, fast check before getting into all the seals and 80% of the time the problem.

 

Never knew that about the windshield vent test

 

If your EX is a diesel, you will want to fix the vacuum leak doubly fast. Diesels don't produce enough vacuum to run a system like this so they have an electric pump that creates the vacuum. A bad leak will cause the pump to run continuously and will often lead to failure of the pump.

 

My hubs also are intermittent when it is cold. I have not had the chance yet to open them up and clean them. The PO was a desert rat so I assume there is a lot of built up dirt with the grease. Other forums tell this also will keep the autohub from engaging as it will stick. On mine the drivers side is easy to turn and the passenger side is hard. I will take this as dirty needing cleaning and regrease.

 

ESOF hub cleaning instructions.