Re: level sticks in 4-LO

From: BARRY OLIVER (DHSPA58@dhs.state.il.us)
Date: Mon Oct 27 2003 - 15:00:02 EST


Uh, on my visor it says (no kidding) than I should be moving (in
neutral) at 5-10 mph in order to shift into 4-lo...

>>> dakota@billpitz.com 10/25/03 10:22PM >>>

On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 21:36:01 -0400, ethan@ethanschwartz.com (Ethan
Schwartz) wrote:

>
>Is there some trick to getting in/out of 4-LO?
>
>Going in was ok, although it kinda caught a bit, sounded like putting
it
>in 1st w/o the clutch all the way down...
>
>But getting out was a bear... the level wouldn't budge... finally I
shut
>the engine off, and after a minute or so I was able to take it out.
>
>I have an automatic and I was in Neutral...
>
>Once it was in 4-HI and 4-LO it did just fine and felt normal...
>
>A friend has a 98 w/ 5.2 in his family and they have the same trouble

>getting out of 4-LO...

I've only used 4-low a few times, but I have figured out a few things
that are a bit peculiar about the transfer case and how it shifts.

Switching in and out of 4-hi is usually pretty easy. The only thing I
can say about that is to make sure that you leave it in 4-hi for a
good 5-10 seconds before you try to take it out. I've had the
transfer case "stick" in 4-hi twice when I've been messing around.

As far as 4-lo, you really have to take your time. (Having a
lever-shifted transfer case might seem to be more difficult in this
respect, but it really just makes you more aware... all of the
electronic (switch-activated) T-cases I've seen require the same basic
steps or they won't actually engage 4-lo. Firstly, you need to be at
a complete stop before you engage 4-lo. It's really intended for use
when you are *really* stuck and 4-hi isn't getting you out or other
situations when you need the maximum possible amount of torque and
pulling power. Once you're at a complete stop, you should shift the
transmission into neutral. Obviously, you also have to shift through
the neutral position on the transfer case before you can get into 4-lo
mode. I've had the best luck getting in and out of 4-lo if I shift
the transfer case into neutral, wait a couple of seconds, and then
firmly push the lever into 4-lo mode. I like to make sure that I get
several full rotations of the tires before I try to shift out, as this
tends to make the transition back out of 4-lo a little easier. When
you're ready to shift out, you should again be at a complete stop,
tranny in neutral. I pause for a couple of seconds with the t-case in
neutral before I shift back to 2wd mode just for good measure.

In short, the only time I've ever had transfer case shifting problems
is when I've shifted in and out of modes too fast or when I haven't
left the transfer case in neutral for a couple of seconds before
shifting into 4-lo.

Other than that, if you're having problems, you might want to check to
be sure that you have the correct type and quantity of fluid in your
transfer case. Fluid can make a much bigger difference than you might
think.

-Bill



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