Have to reverse to get from 2WD to 4H

Does anybody had the same/similar issue: 2WD to 4H will not engage, the light keeps blinking. I have to stop and reverse, and it locks. When I disengage there is a “thump” sound from the front, and it goes back to 2WD.....just wonder if anybody had the same issue, before I take it to the dealer (2020 off road), thanks

 

Not really an issue. Most 4wd vehicles will have to be driven back and forth to shift in and out of 4wd. I also believe this is documented in the owners manual. So, nothing to worry about.

 

It is supposed to be “on the fly”, not anything funky like stopping and backing up....the manual says it has to be done under 62mph, non-slipping and straighten wheels, which I followed...

 

Story of my life for 6 months of the year in Northern BC. Bring on the snow!

 

It's completely normal and shown in the manual.

 

Well, I continued to drive for a half mile and it was still blinking going from 2WD to 4H, that second paragraph says to reverse when going BACK to 2WD, in my case it’s actually trying to get it to 4H. I was driving up the mountain -started as dry pavement in town and became snow covered slippery road at high elevation-quite tricky to try to drive backwards with 100 cars behind me on a narrow road to the ski hill, lol

 

Might need to break it in.
The owner's manual mentions using it for so long every few months.

My truck had difficulties when it was new, but it does it every time now.
I try to use 4wd whenever possible if only to keep everything moving.

 

It sometimes doesn't shift successfully under high load. Like, cruising RPMs will shift fine, but 4k RPM up the mountain won't. Sometimes all you really need to do is let off the throttle and wiggle the wheel a little.

 

If you slightly steer it will go in. The problem is the front wheels need to lock together first, using the ADD, before the transfer case will transfer. If the ADD yoke is not aligned, steering helps. Every 4WD I’ve ever owned from Ford, Mazda, and Toyota has behaved exactly the same. You just need to know.

 

Highly, highly, highly, recommend this video to anyone new to shift-on-the fly 4WD using an ADD. The demo is a Tundra, but same shit. Great vid.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=47m7QAPrpsI

 

Try putting it in N and while rolling, turn on 4HI and back to D once engaged. This has worked 100% of the time and get engagement in 1-2 sec. I know that's not always possible depending on circumstances. This removes all binding and tension from the system.

 

The transfer case has to go into 4WD first when going from 2H-4H. The ADD engagement happens last. Otherwise, the passenger side axle shafts (front diff) would be trying to engage when going in opposite directions.
The second part of your statement is absolutely true though, WRT the ADD axle splines lining up.

 

I have a long straight stretch in my neighborhood on the way home from anywhere and I put it in 4H often to lubricate the system. On the fly works 100% of the time going about 30 MPH in drive and not accelerating when changing modes. Never have to stop and/or back up.

 

Pretty much the same experience here WRT 2H-4H engagement.

I do sometimes get a "chunk" when coming out of 4WD.

 

Bingo!
Unfortunately with a true 4wd system, ideally you need to be 4wd before you need it. It's definitely something one should get used to on a gravel lot or a private drive. Per the manual, you're supposed to engage 4wd every X for Y anyways. I use mine on the gravel roads at the gun club, and it works the same every time- flip the switch and let off the gas, click and she's in 4wd. Of course I'm old and have had many lever actuated 4wd systems, and that is the best coach,,,, they'll let you know when it's time. Kind of like learning to shift a manual without the clutch.

 

Yeah maybe I have the sequence backwards. Still the same issue with ADD.

 

I can't recall ever having an issue with the transfer case going from 4X2 to 4X4 or back in high range. I've had a few incidents where the hubs didn't lock, and this goes back 40+ years even with manually locking hubs. If you shift while moving it works a LOT better than when not moving. And it also helps to let off the gas and let it coast while the shift is taking place. If you're accelerating when you make the shift there could be a delay.

It is getting into, and out of low range that is more likely to cause problems. I find it works best to shift into 4X4 high range 1st. After that is engaged you need to shift to neutral, (or press the clutch all the way to the floor with a manual) to shift to low range. If you're at a dead stop you have about 50/50 odds that the gears will line up to make the shift. It works best if you're slowly rolling. If the wheels rotate just a partial turn it will let the gears line up to engage if they just happen to be in the wrong position when stopped.

Getting out of 4low can be the hard part. If you've driven several miles in that position and with hard pulls the gears want to bind together. Shifting to reverse for a few feet will relieve the binding and help. I've had to do the back up 15', pull forward 15' and repeat until it lets go dance several times.

Using 4X4 on a regular basis greatly reduces these problems. This keeps moving parts lubricated and helps reduce moisture inside electrical components. The owners manuals suggest about 10 miles/month. I don't get 10 miles each and every month, but won't go longer than 2 months without engaging 4X4 for at least a couple of miles. While I may skip a month occasionally, and some months may only see 3-4 miles, other months may see 200-300 miles.

And there is nothing that says the 10 miles must be all in the same day. Anytime I find myself on a gravel or dirt road I will engage 4X4 even if it is only for a mile or so.