Hesitant Shift.

Well. It is still extremely cold here.

A couple days ago, I had to run an errand after a snowfall and before the plows had cleared the roads. The truck was in 4H when I parked on the driveway.

Wife wanted DQ for V-Day, so had to make a run last night, temperature has been sub-zero for a little over a week, last night it was -6F when I was making the DQ run. Backed out of the driveway, started forward then shifted to 2H. Going very slow, truck cold & stiff, T-case would not release the 4H. So, I left the switch in 2H, drove easy with the 4WD light blinking. After about 600 yards or so, the system released to fully engage 2H.

I do not believe there is anything wrong with the systems, full fluid change last fall. I feel the hesitant shift is strictly due to the extreme cold temperatures and thick lubes.

So, to all reading. Don't be surprised during this extreme cold if the truck is hesitant shifting in/out of 4WD.

Don't diddle the switch, leave it in the position you placed it. Just drive easy for a bit, give the systems a chance to loosen up.

 

Mine has been not too noticeably hesitant in the -40 we've been having, but I haven't been switching in and out of 4wd except after driving for a bit. I'd guess at -6F (-20C) would be when you could start seeing something hesitant, bit if its warmer than that I'd be a little concerned. I'll shift it to 4wd before I move it this morning (-33C) although it will have warmed up via the engine for a little while, will let you know how it shifts.

 

Mine has taken a little extra time to go in and out of 4hi when it is sub zero. I chalk it up to the cold and lubricated parts being hard to move.

 

Ok, I gave it a test and had mixed results. Before moving my truck I engaged 4wd, and it blinked about 10 times before I moved the shifter from park to reverse when it instantly shifted. I did this a few times and it was very quick to change at a standstill while changing gears. I might have had it in a sweet spot though. I then took it on the highway and while it engaged into 4wd fairly quick, it took a while for it to disengage 4wd at low to moderate speeds. I haven't had this truck in the summer yet so can't say how fast it would shift warm, though I won't be engaging it nearly as much then.