Whoa, something strange just happened when switching back to 2 wheel drive...

[Otto]

I've had it in 4H for the last 2 days because of snow covered roads, but switched back to 2 wheel today because the roads are mostly clean now.

I was at a stop sign, and reached over and turned it to back to 2H. As soon as I started moving, I felt a huge thud possibly coming from underneath the car. I knew there was nothing around for about 100 yards in any direction, but I got out and looked around the car and underneath anyways....nothing. Everything looked fine. When I got back in the car I saw the 4wheel drive indicator was blinking. I went in reverse for about 10 ft, then back into forward, and the light went off and everything seems fine.

Anyone have an idea what happened? I'm no mechanic, but have owned jeeps and other 4WD vehicles in the past and never had anything like that happen. It scared the crap out of me.

 

[toybox]

In the past when I had systems with an option for 2wd I would always back-up a bit after switching back and that was what was suggested in the owners manual if I remember correctly.

But honestly I don't think you need to do that with the latest generation. I would check the owners manual just to be sure.

 

[sharp4runr]

Shouldn't be too bad. It sounds like it didn't finish changing drive modes. I've changed back to 2WD from 4WD while moving and no issues either. That thud you felt may have been the solenoid.

 

[dano]

I've had it in 4H for the last 2 days because of snow covered roads, but switched back to 2 wheel today because the roads are mostly clean now.

I was at a stop sign, and reached over and turned it to back to 2H. As soon as I started moving, I felt a huge thud possibly coming from underneath the car. I knew there was nothing around for about 100 yards in any direction, but I got out and looked around the car and underneath anyways....nothing. Everything looked fine. When I got back in the car I saw the 4wheel drive indicator was blinking. I went in reverse for about 10 ft, then back into forward, and the light went off and everything seems fine.

Anyone have an idea what happened? I'm no mechanic, but have owned jeeps and other 4WD vehicles in the past and never had anything like that happen. It scared the crap out of me.

The first time I switched to 4WD it did the same thing. Scared the #$%@ out of me! Since then no problem when I switched between 2WD and 4WD. I haven't heard or felt a thing.

 

[Hank]

It's not recommended to switch b/t 2wd & 4Hi while turning and probably best not to accelerate/decelerate at a moderate to fast pace. I find the transition smoothest when switching modes while decelerating at ~20-30mph (i.e.- slowing down while approaching a stop light/sign). I can barely feel the ADD doing its job. Just my 2 cents.