Transfer Case disengaging/engaging poorly at higher speeds

[nalbertasr5]

Hi everyone. I have a 2000 3rd gen w/5speed manual. Just started having problems with the transfer case. It will shift when I am driving slow (like 20km/h) but if I go any faster it will not shift into 4Hi. It makes a harsh sound when I'm driving and won't even shift into 4wd. I am not shifting it above the recommended speed so that would not be the problem. When I pull the transfer case lever down to 4Hi it doesn't feel as "heavy" as it used to, like it's not doing something. It also will take forever for 4hi to disengage back to 2wd if the car is moving at city speeds. Any guesses as to what is going wrong? I've read posts about people with it not working at all but not so much about problems at higher speed. It has a j-case so I am not sure if there could even be a vacuum line problem? Something else? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[nalbertasr5]

I did a little bit more testing on the road and have some more info:

-Transfer case works under 50 km/h. Shifts in and out of 4hi to 2hi just fine. Shifter feels like it works properly.

-When I shift it into 4HI over 50km/h it makes a grinding noise. It also feels like the shift lever isn't exactly doing much when pulled.

Any thoughts?

 

[I_bRAD]

50kms/hr is pushing it if you ask me. I don't know about you but when I switch to 4wd I'm typically already going pretty slowly

 

[nalbertasr5]

Owner's manual says the top speed suggested for going in and out of 4wd is 80 km/h. I did it last winter at around 70 and it would work just fine.

 

[Chuckles89]

Is the gear oil level ok? I have a 5 speed also and mine shifts fine at those speeds.

 

[nalbertasr5]

Is the gear oil level ok? I have a 5 speed also and mine shifts fine at those speeds.

I haven't checked that out. Is it the same fluid reservoir for the transmission? I'm a newbie at having a vehicle with a transfer case and I dont know!

 

[Chuckles89]

I haven't checked that out. Is it the same fluid reservoir for the transmission? I'm a newbie at having a vehicle with a transfer case and I dont know!

They are separate. I would show you a picture, but I don't have one on my computer. Just crawl under there and look for some 24mm plugs on the side and bottom of the trans and TC. You should probably change the oil if you haven't yet, but to check the level, open the fill plug and stick your finger in to see if it's at a good level (near the bottom of the threads). I hope this make sense...

 

[nalbertasr5]

Thanks! pretty sure I can figure that out