Stuck In 4WD

[Badgerfan1181]

I was camping this week and had my TB in 4hi on a rough trail after the trail tried to switch back to 2wd but nothing happened i was a little worried when the service 4WD light came on because i was a little ways away from a dealership , Went to bed trying to figure it out woke up in the morning got in and the light was gone so i put it into 2wd it went but it made the loudest clunk and shook the whole car I have an appointment at the dealership next week but wondering if anyone one else has had anything like this happen

[06MidnightBlue]

Did you the TB in N and not P?

[NC_IslandRunner]

Did you the TB in N and not P?

Switching from 4hi to 2hi can be done in any gear and while driving.

May need to have 4wd checked but find a trusted shop and avoid the stealership unless under warranty.

[navigator]

you might can give enough details here that some of these guys can figure it out for you.
I'm sure if you give enough good details they can figure it out and save you and the next guy a bunch of $$$.

[The Roadie]

Did you have to drive on pavement at the end of the process?

Did you try turning off the ignition and on again?

What was the condition of the lights on the mode switch? (Not just the "Service 4WD" lamp on the dash)

Did you try A4WD mode?

When you said "nothing happened" when you switched from 4HI to 2HI, are you saying you got NEITHER motor noise from the splined disconnect or the transfer case encoder motor?

How many miles do you have?

Has the transfer case been serviced every 50K with new fluid?

Ever have problems with the splined disconnect in front?

Do you exercise the system every few weeks even if you're not going offroad, to stay familiar with the noises it makes?

See how many questions we ask that represent items that need to be observed when you have a 4WD system problem? They're all relevant to making an accurate diagnosis.

[Trail X]

When you said "nothing happened" when you switched from 4HI to 2HI, are you saying you got NEITHER motor noise from the splined disconnect or the transfer case encoder motor?

And to further extend this question... when you moved the switch, did the lights on the switch change? did a blinking light come on? did any locations have solid lights?

[Badgerfan1181]

Sorry For making you wait

1. Didn't drive on any pavement while in 4wd

2. Tried in P, N, D, Slowly rolling, Turned on and off still nothing but after sitting the night it did work besides the loud clunk when disengaged

3. No lights at all

4. I even got out of the car and couldn't hear the motor noise

5. 85,000 est.

6. No but my mom previously drove the car didn't know how to put it in 4wd so it was never used until 25k miles ago

7. No

8. I know the two distinct noises it should make i use A4wd whenever off road and 4hi fairly often

Thanks for all the help

[Trail X]

No lights indicates either a bad TCCM, a bad switch, or a bad switch connection. Did the lights disappear only once you changed the switch position? or were they out prior to that?

I would suggest running your transfer case through the modes a good 10 times. It should refresh the contacts in the switch, or it could make the issue pop up again. Either way - a good thing. Recreating the issue means we can try to troubleshoot it.

(oh, and just stay away from A4WD)

[The Roadie]

Asked about transfer case fluid changes:

6. No but my mom previously drove the car didn't know how to put it in 4wd so it was never used until 25k miles ago

Double facepalm. The fluid change interval of 50K miles is mandatory for the mileage on the odometer. Not the amount of 4-wheeling done.

Parts are spinning in the transfer case ALL THE TIME. Ditto for the front diff.

I bet you find a dry or very low transfer case fluid level. Measure what comes out when you drain it THIS WEEKEND to see if you can salvage it.

And next time, don't let your mother ignore the maintenance schedule. And treat every vehicle that's new to you as if you don't know its maintenance history, and change everything that needs changing when you acquire it.

[Trail X]

As an aside, and for future reference, does anyone know what the size of the TC fill/drain Allen key is? As I recall, it was larger than anything I had in my case, and I ended up borrowing one.

[Badgerfan1181]

Sounds good i have been chipping away at the neglect my mom had on the vehicle but i am only 19 not a lot of income college is my main priority. This is why i still have yet to lift mine. Since ive got it i put brakes, water pump, transmission fluid, front shocks, and tires on it not alot of money left. I can try to get it done on Saturday i have a 3 hour break from work.

[fishsticks]

As an aside, and for future reference, does anyone know what the size of the TC fill/drain Allen key is? As I recall, it was larger than anything I had in my case, and I ended up borrowing one.

10mm IIRC.

[06MidnightBlue]

Is there even the slightest possibility that he could have a defective actuator?

[Trail X]

From what he has said, no.

If he does, it has nothing to do with the originally posted issue.