4WD proper operation?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 36
From: Ohio
4WD proper operation?
I have had my 2010 truck only since last July and now that winter has arrived I question the operation of the shift on the fly 4WD. I checked the manual and I could not find anything speciffic enough to explain if my problem is normal operation. Here is what I am experiencing; the 4WD engages fine while moving, but when I try to go back to 2WD while moving, it does not disengage. The indicator light informs me that it changed over, but it actually does not, until I come to a stop. I don't really want to go to the dealer and have them try to tell this is the correct operation, if it in fact is not. Can anyone give me some input here? My other 4WD trucks were all manual locking hubs and manual transfer cases.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 536
From: barton city mi
I've been running 4X4's since 1976, had them all except the automatic ones. Even the full time stuff. What happens is that until you "unload" the drive train, it's likely going to stay locked. All you need to do is back off, coast, as it's shifting. That unloads the drivetrain, and allows the gears to disengage. I drive a Freightliner Coronado SD daily, on/off road. It has full lockers, so in laymans terms, I have 8 wheeldrive. I can select the rear axles simply locked together, the rear drive axle locked, the front drive locked, or both axles locked together, with the differentials locked. To shift out of any of that, I flip the airswitch and backoff the fuel, and it will go back to normal drive. A little truck does the same thing, except it's electric/vacuum instead of airshift.
BTW, how do you know it's still in 4 wheeldrive?
BTW, how do you know it's still in 4 wheeldrive?
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 36
From: Ohio
I can hear the whine of the transfer case and it has a different feel to it.
I have tried backing off, but not while it's shifting. I understand that the load needs to be off for the disengagement to work, but do I really need to time it while it's shifting? It seems that just letting off would unload it enough.
I have tried backing off, but not while it's shifting. I understand that the load needs to be off for the disengagement to work, but do I really need to time it while it's shifting? It seems that just letting off would unload it enough.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 536
From: barton city mi
Hhmmm, I see. Sounds like you understand what I was trying to say. By different feel, you mean like when you make a turn? I'd try backing off the fuel, and shift right after, coast a few yards, and it should unlock. If it doesn't, I'd say you may have a problem, but I don't know what it may be. The only thing else I could suggest, would be to lock it out, then say, drive up your driveway while disengaging it. Then jack up the front and try to turn the front wheels by hand to see if they're free. Possibly one of the hubs isn't unlocking due to a vacuum leak. That's about all I can think of. Hopefully one of the guru's on here can add to that.
I've only had mine in 4X4 a couple times, but that is how I do it, and it appears to be unlocking.
I've only had mine in 4X4 a couple times, but that is how I do it, and it appears to be unlocking.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 36
From: Ohio
Well I just ran out to the store and tried the suggestion of letting off while shifting. No difference. I'm pretty sure the hubs are releasing, but I can definitely hear the transfer case and feel the slight vibration that is present during 4WD operation. I dunno, maybe I'll have to post the question in the 4x4 forum, to see if anyone there has any thoughts.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 84
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From: West Alton, MO
im old school and I don't shift into 4x4 ever on the fly, I just stop before the truck gets into the thick put it in neutral hit the lockers and put it into 4H, put it back in drive and go on. to get it out I do it just like on my 95 bronco, neutral, 2h, locker off, back up 10ft in revers and then put it in drive and carry on.
silly I know, but old habits die hard.
silly I know, but old habits die hard.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 536
From: barton city mi
im old school and I don't shift into 4x4 ever on the fly, I just stop before the truck gets into the thick put it in neutral hit the lockers and put it into 4H, put it back in drive and go on. to get it out I do it just like on my 95 bronco, neutral, 2h, locker off, back up 10ft in revers and then put it in drive and carry on.
silly I know, but old habits die hard.
silly I know, but old habits die hard.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 869
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From: Ohio
I know what you guys are saying. But if I am traveling the highway, I may run into slick roads and then clear up, so I figure why run the 4WD when not needed. Less wear and on the parts
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
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I too have noticed this with my new '12 FX4. I was wondering if I was the only one "imagining" this. Sometimes it goes out of 4x4 easy but other times I know it doesn't. When I noticed it not coming out of 4x4 I was usually in 4-Low and pulling a decently heavy trailer out of fields. I then had to stop and re-do the 4x4 transfer. I don't get it and don't like it...worries me.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 36
From: Ohio
Yes,I have tried to cycle it. It works fine as long as I am not going too fast, so I don't feel like that could be the problem.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
When moving , the transfer case should disengage. the transfer case shouldn't make any noise when not in 4x4. And yes, when going out of 4x4 when moving, let off the accelerator. I would bite the bullet and go to the dealer and have it checked out.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 36
From: Ohio
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