I think that I was being too much of a wuss with the shifter. I was
reading the instructions online:
"Slow the vehicle to under 3 mph (5 kmh), shift an automatic
transmission to N (Neutral) or depress the clutch on a manual
transmission. Shift the transfer case lever to the right and pull firmly
down into 4L. Do not pause in transfer case N (Neutral).
NOTE: Pausing in transfer case N (neutral) in vehicles equipped with an
automatic transmission may require shutting the engine off to avoid gear
clash while completing the shift. If difficulty occurs, shift
transmission to Neutral (N), hold foot on brake, turn engine off, and
THEN make the shift to desired mode."
I'm wondering if I hesitated and was being too limp-wristed with the
shifter. It must be noted I've never actually engaged 4wd in a truck
before, much less low range, until today. It popped into 4 high easily,
then into 4 low with a slight "thunk" sensation. It then drove fine in
4L for about 20 feet, then I went to kick it back into 4 high by coming
to a stop, putting it in N and then pushing it gingerly up. Then it
popped out of 4L and into Neutral (the 4wd light went off) but it
wouldn't go back into 4 high without grinding until I turned the engine
off, then it went in fine.
I'm hoping it was just me, since I really like the truck otherwise...
but if it suggests the transfer case is having problems I'd best avoid it..
Thanks!
MattB
Dustin Williams wrote:
> This isn't a shift on the fly transfer case. Even in neutral in rear
> wheel drive if the rear wheels are turning then the gears and chain
> are turning and if the front wheels are turning the front portion is
> turning as well. All it does is allow you to connect the two or choose
> a lower gear ratio. 2 high to 4 high is simply the chain engaging. 4
> high to 4 low is the forks physically moving the gear. Bernd, Jon, or
> someone else more educated in this can help, but that's what my dad
> and I figured out when we took apart a burnt up transfer case of mine.
>
> It should pop out of 4 low just fine if you come to a slow stop and
> put it in neutral. It's probably a bad sign if it sticks bad in 4 low,
> slides out of 4 low, or grinds when the gear is firmly engaged (I've
> experienced all these on the first t-case I had before the chain ate
> through the bottom of the case).
>
> On Mon, Mar 23, 2009 at 6:16 PM, Matt Beazer <teseract@moparhowto.com> wrote:
>
>> On an automatic Dakota (1995 to be exact), and it slides into 4 high fine
>> while moving (as expected), and then go into neutral and pop it into 4 low,
>> and it seems to work fine, what might be wrong if you can't get it back out
>> of 4 low without turning the engine off? I had it in neutral when trying to
>> shift out of 4 low and it would just grind. Did I screw up? It popped back
>> into 2wd fine with the key off.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Matt
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Apr 01 2009 - 01:46:39 EDT