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in 4WD light dont come on when i shift into 4H or 4L Need ideas please?

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Offline dingus

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When i used my 1997 Tracker with Auto Trans and Auto locking hubs last winter i noticed a few times the 4wd Light didnt come on right away but it did eventully it was in snow it felt like 4x4 kicked in right away.

Now i just was out in the bush the Light didnt come on at all. Any ideas ?

Im worried the Hubs arnt shifting. I put it in 4WD Low gear to still no light.
Now troble is the muck wasnt bad enough for me to tell if the 4x4 was even working.

What and where makes that 4x4 light on the dash come on i cant find Dick in the Maunal.
If i do the 4 H shift then jack up the front of the Tracker the Wheels shouldnt turn easy Right?
If the hubs aint locking the Wheels would spin free.
Is that a good way to check ???
The Tracker is like new but has 218000 KMs on it.
Was driven mainly in a big city NOT in 4x4 much is my Guess.
It was fantastic in the snow this winter just pisses me off that light isnt working.

Thanks for any help advise in advance.  :)
« Last Edit: May 31, 2009, 04:31:46 PM by dingus »

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Offline Skyhiranger

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The 4wd light does nothing to "engage" the drivetrain into actual 4wd mode.
More than likely the problem is a broken wire between the 4wd switch on the top of the tcase and the dash light (the problem is likely at the switch on the tcase, or in the connector a short distance from the tcase switch).
Look at the tcase back around where the shifter is, just in front of the shifter (on top of the tcase) there is a switch with probably a black rubber cap looking thing on it with a couple of wires coming out of it.  You can try moving the wires around with the shifter in either 4wd high or 4wd low and see if the dash light lights up (will probably need a helper to watch the dash light while you wiggle the wires from underneath...unless you want to pull the shifter boot and try to reach the wires by reaching down through the hole...which would probably be easier).

The other possibilities could be......
a faulty/intermittently working switch
a burnt out 4WD light
Tracker and Sidekick parts for sale.....PM me with your wants/needs.

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Offline ack

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If the transfer case is typical (& I don't see why it wouldn't) either the switch on the transfer case that signals the transfer case is in 4wd is broken or the lamp on the dash is blown.

Basically, if the auto-locking hubs are locked (done by stopping and backing up a few feet while in 4-wheel drive) you will have four wheel drive when the t-case is shifted to 4-high or 4-low. You should be able to find out details about how to make the automatic lockinhg hubs engage by referring to your owner's manual.

Automatic locking hubs are not the most practical devices for 4x4 offroading as they can easily disengage while maneuvering on the trails.  Something to think about if you plan to drive offroad often.
Ack

'88 Samurai, '88.5 Samurai TT, '11 Ford Transit Connect XLT
Ack's FAQ  http://www.acksfaq.com

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Offline dingus

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Thanks! :) Now i know where to Look.

My unit worked great in 4WD this last winter but i noticed that light took awhile to come on so i think its the Switch or Bulb.

Anyway thanks thats alot of help.

The Trackers autohubs have caused me no greif yet but i have a set of manuel hubs to go in if theses auto ones packer in.