02 Engaging 4WD Question

Doghouse_Riley

Doghouse_Riley

New member
I've looked around and found some write ups on the 4WD system on my 02. I haven't found anything on what the dash lights should look like.

My situation: I just bought this 02. When I push the 4WD button in the dash indicator only has the 2 rear wheels lit green. The front wheel indicator lights remain unlit. Is this maybe because I don't understand what the lights mean or that the front lights are fried or is there a problem with the 4WD?
 
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There is no condition in which only the rear wheel lights would be lit that I am aware of. All 4 are either on, blinking, or off, indicating their status.


Odds are the bulbs are burned out, or there's a malfunction with the cluster.
 
If the lights are on, the sensor that tells those lights to come on has been tripped by the mechanism that engages the system. If they're on (aside from any short in the electrical system) then the front axle is engaged.


You should be able to hear the actuator engage and disengage as the button is pushed to activate or deactivate the 4 wheel drive. It'll also feel slightly different through the steering wheel, especially if turning a tight radius.


With the center diff locked (which will only lock when the 4 wheel drive is engaged, it should be very noticeable, especially with the wheels turned while traveling forward. It's not the best practice to keep the center diff locked on positive-traction surfaces though, so keep that in mind.


Last sure-fire way is to jack up all 4 wheels and see if they spin when the 4x4 is engaged.
 
I second everything animator said. It's probably a bad bulb or an electrical issue if you get the rear wheels to light up. They shouldn't be lit under any other circumstances other than being in 4WD.
 
Okay, good to hear that you all concur that the lights are burnt out or otherwise not getting power. I'm going to test out the 4WD on some easy trails this weekend.
 
Doghouse_Riley said:
Okay, good to hear that you all concur that the lights are burnt out or otherwise not getting power. I'm going to test out the 4WD on some easy trails this weekend.
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Put it in 4x4 on dry pavement and make a turn. If it binds up, the 4x4 is working. A quick test like that will not hurt anything. Better to know for sure before you hit the trails.
 
Crawl at 1mph and have someone check the front driveshaft is turning. Although this does not make sure your front actuator is engaged. Besides jacking the car up or going off road, you should notice a loss of power and heavier steering.
 
BlackCat914 said:
Put it in 4x4 on dry pavement and make a turn. If it binds up, the 4x4 is working. A quick test like that will not hurt anything. Better to know for sure before you hit the trails.
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Supermoney said:
Crawl at 1mph and have someone check the front driveshaft is turning. Although this does not make sure your front actuator is engaged. Besides jacking the car up or going off road, you should notice a loss of power and heavier steering.
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Thanks. I'll try these suggestions. I did try putting it in 4x4 on dry pavement with the center diff locked. I only went in a straight line at 5mph. It definitely steered heavier and engine response changed. I'll try it again and go around a corner and see if it binds.

Thanks for all the responses.
 
Doghouse_Riley said:
Thanks. I'll try these suggestions. I did try putting it in 4x4 on dry pavement with the center diff locked. I only went in a straight line at 5mph. It definitely steered heavier and engine response changed. I'll try it again and go around a corner and see if it binds.

Thanks for all the responses.
Click to expand...

Don't try binding it - that causes stress to old components that could break. If you can learn to distinguish the steering/engine feel (and slight sound - whrrr from front diff) differences without engaging the center diff lock, then that is all you need to prove it to yourself, besides mudding of course! :cowboy:
 
I have a dumb side-note, on-topic... I was cleaning my interior a couple months ago. When I drove it next, I was in a little rush. I backed out of my garage, at regular garage backing speed; 3-4 mph. Once outside the garage, I turned the wheel sharply. The front wheels basically locked up. I thought a front wheel had jammed into steering components or something. The truck would not move under slight-medium power. After some checking and some sweating, I realized that my 4x4 light was on. I had moved the shifter into 4wd for cleaning and it was locking up the wheels.
The point of my story is that, it is really easy on dry pavement to notice when you are in 4x4 with the center diff locked. You only need to turn the wheel and drive 5 feet and it will be very obvious. If just your 4x4 light is not working fully, I wouldn't even worry about fixing it.
 
jgue467 said:
Don't try binding it - that causes stress to old components that could break. If you can learn to distinguish the steering/engine feel (and slight sound - whrrr from front diff) differences without engaging the center diff lock, then that is all you need to prove it to yourself, besides mudding of course! :cowboy:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification.:thumb3:
 
jgue467 said:
Don't try binding it - that causes stress to old components that could break. If you can learn to distinguish the steering/engine feel (and slight sound - whrrr from front diff) differences without engaging the center diff lock, then that is all you need to prove it to yourself, besides mudding of course! :cowboy:
Click to expand...

There's absolutely nothing wrong with making a quick turn on dry pavement to verify operation. It won't hurt anything.
 
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