4x4 issues
Hey guys, here I am again with another problem. My 4x4 was working fine up to a few weeks ago. I tried using it this weekend, but when I engage the 4x4 in 2H mode and press gas nothing happens, my engine just revs! I don't move an inch. When I attempt to use 4HLC or 4LLC I get the blinking orange light in my diff. Can anyone venture a guess as to what might be wrong? I just purchased new 4x4 switches a month ago. (I think that something is stuck somewhere)
You're not helping Claude
That's even more confusing ...
The vehicle has two shift levers - the transfer case shift which as already mentioned has four positions 2H, 4H, 4HLc & 4LLc, the other lever will either be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & R if you have a 5 speed manual or L, 2, D, N, R, P if you have an automatic.
None of the shifters/selectors say 4x4, and the general (and I might add incorrect) implication of the term 4x4 is four wheel drive - which is not happening in 2H, which implies two wheel drive, High ratio.
Ok, lets try that... instead
Ok, lets try that... instead of reading "but when I engage the 4x4 in 2H mode and press gas nothing happens" I think he meant to write "but when I engage the transfer case to the 2H mode and press gas nothing happens"
Similar thing happen if the lever of the transfer case is not engaged properly ( ie between 2H and 4H), and does look like the car is in neutral even if the lever of the gear box is in gear (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5). As a bad joke, I used to do that to a friend while on trip, it worked every time!!! (the joke, that is!)
I hope this helped...!
Happy io
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I do believe when he says 4x4 he is referring to the shift stick that selects the drive mode.
It sounds like no power is being transferred to the rear of the car. I would put it in 2wd mode and get someone to try drive it forwards and see if the tail shaft is spinning. Although if the rear diff was the problem i would suspect there would be all sorts of noise coming from it.
Would hate to think your transfer box is rooted.
I owe you an apology Claude
I can see where you're coming from now - 
- it makes sense when you spell it out.
Question for you - that joke - was it in an iO? You see, I've had it done to me (by my son) in my Grand Vitara, where the transfer case does have a neutral position, which the iO lacks. He didn't catch me, 2H on the GV has the shifter all the way back (like on the iO) and N is two "clicks" further forward, and I noticed it when I put the hand brake down.
SInglecell's suggestion on checking the rear drive shaft is a good place to start, but before, you going pulling the transfer case apart (or even off), let me ask this question - how loose is the transfer shift lever? The lever should have no more than a few millimeters of "sideways" play - more than this can prevent it from properly engaging the shift rails and potentially allow them to be moved in the wrong sequence.
On the iO transfer case, the "first step" in the sequence should engage the front output clutch which just ties the front & rear shafts together - this uses the left shift rail - to get no movement would require you to get the high/low clutch hub (the right shift rail) in exactly the right (or rather wrong) position, which I would have thought was not possible.
The flashing amber light can have many causes - it basically means that the 4WD indicator controller (yes - all it does is control the little dashboard display) is seeing two switches in "non-matching" positions - it can be defective switches, defective wiring (the two most common causes) - or - a shift rail "out-of-place" causing an incorrect selection, which is what it's actually intended to show.
Hey guys, I am so sorry for
Hey guys, I am so sorry for not being specific in my approach. I am not very familiar with the technical terms for the vehicle's interworkings. My sincerest apologies. Thank you for all your replies. FORDEM, I believe I have a bit of play on my transfer case shifter. Singlecell, I will check to see that is not the case. I will get back to you guys in a day or so.
Thanks again!
HELP PLEEEASE!!
Hey guys, i baught a 2nd hand io 2000, 3 door, 2 weeks ago, and it was going like a dream. I then drove from cape town to JHB, and half way through this VERY load and unsettling grinding sound started comming from the transfer case. and the 4WD light is flashing, although 2WD is selected. After playing around with the 4WD gear lever for a while, the noise stopped, back every 200km or so, the noise would come back and i'd have to stop to play around with the drive modes again. Almost as though it was stuck between 2WD and 4WD. Please can somebody tell me i havn't been screwed by the seller, and i dont have to buy a whole new transfer case. i dont know if this is the right place to post, but its the only place i could find.
THANK YOU!
Rook
It sounds like an internal issue.
First - which light is flashing? There is no 4WD light per se - there is an orange light for the center lock, and green light(s) for the front wheels. Flashing lights can be caused by a number of issues - broken wires, loose/leaking vacuum lines, defective switches, or an internal transfer case problem.
Second - you say you can stop the noise by playing around with the 4WD lever - the lever should have very little sideways "free play" - the 2H position is all the way back, 4H is "one click" forward, 4HLc requires a movement to the left and forward, 4LLc requires a push down, move left and then forward - if yours does not operate like this you may have an internal issue - this could be as simple as the shift lever bush needing to be replaced.
Usually - a missing lever bush does not cause a grinding noise, so there MAY be an internal transfer case problem.
How mechanically inclined are you?
noisy transfer case
Unless it is a coffee grinder, a very loud grinding noise is not good news !!
Try changing the oil of the transfer case, that will be a cheap and easy work and if something have been grinding inside and have made some damages....oil content and colour will confirm how bad it is, nice and clear should be fine, very dirty with shinny metal particle will confirm the bad news. Changing all the oil is always a good idea when you buy a car without service history.
A common fault is what Fordem mentioned about the rubber at the base of the selector gear, this might show in the oil by larger particle of dense rubber and by the selector gear having some free play.
To fill up the T/C buy a one liter bottle with the extendable "outlet hose", by putting the outlet of the bottle in the inlet of the T/C (on the side) then pressing on the bottle will able you to put at least half liter at a time, then just fill up that one litre bottle again to fill the T/C.
I use Castrol VMX-M 75W-85, API GL4 for the gearbox and transfer case, buying a 4 liter and a one liter bottle should be enough to do the gearbox and T/C ( 2.4 l and 2.2 l ) . This is what I use, might not be the best ot the only oil for them....not to be used in the diff.
What may happen too, is that your engine or gearbox mount could be worn out. This may get your 4x4 selector gear moving and engage half way (between 4h and 2h) and make this grinding noise. Never heard of this happening but I have heard of the selector gear to not move because of this. That would explain the light 4x4 coming on.
All the best and I hope that it will come good.
Happy io
engine mounts
recon your engine mounts might be worn out and the engine is sitting to the side etc - if you get underneath you can see pretty easily if there is an issue - try levering the big rubber mounts at the back of the gearbox and look for unusual movement - should only flex 5-10mm. check the front ones too - if they fail the engine can move sideways and play havock with the gear levers - same deal, should only flex 5-10mm with no cracks.
good luck!
Syndicate
4x4 in 2H mode?
Maybe you need to explain.
My iO, and I believe, most, if not every one else's here. has the following options on the transfer case selector 2H, 4H, 4HLc and 4LLc - 2H means two wheel drive, so you don't get 4x4 in two wheel drive.