Twice in the last couple of days, my tranfer case has decided to engage on it's own.

First: Stop and go driving, my dash indicator lights start flashing, like the case is in the process of either enagaging or disengaging. Checked lever, and it was fully "back" in 2WD. Toggled the lever between 2WD and 4WD a couple of times, and the lights would go solid (engaged), but would not stop blinking when disengaging. I unloaded the driveline (decelerated, shifted to neutral, etc...). Finalyl after a LONG time they went off. Some time later I noticed a small whine. I engaged and disengaged again, and it went away.

2nd: Idling in garage. Starting and stopping the engine. Start #3, and the lights are flashing again. Back down the driveway, and the thing feels like 4WD-Lock (i.e. I could feel the driveline binding on the pavement). Shifting in and then back out released it.

I'm pretty certain that I did not accidentally bump the lever, especially the second time. Both times when I checked the lever it was seated in the 2WD position.

Current plans: Change the fluid. It's got ~98000, and I don't know if ever been changed. Any other suggestions?

Perhaps something in your xcase linkages is loose or has worn down allowing the shift lever to slip?

Hey man I have almost the same problem
when I restart the car after any stop at anywhere the indicators start flashing endlessly not like you said although I tried enggaging and disenggaging many times but the flashing would not stop

And somtimes when I come to restart the car the 4HLC is enggaged with only the front indicators flashing And when I move the lever into 4H it immediatly go solid all incicators lit, but as I said the central diff is locked and when I try to move the lever into the lock position it does not go like it is locked. The solution is to kick the lever a bit into the lock position until I hear I TICK in the whole drivtrain and then i car enggage 4HLC and then dissenggage it

this a real pain in the ass I am really fed up with it

One more thing: the flashing gets faster as I depress the gas padle and goes normal when the is no load on the engine.

I had some thoughts but non of them seemed to be right:
1- I changed the whole transmission fuild and the trans oil filter which costed me a lot but still the flashing problem did not go

2- I thought it might be related to electricty beeing over bcuz the battry on the car is Big and i noticed that the flashing almost stoped when the water level in the battry was really low---> so i said i will keep it low so i can rest, but after a while it started to do so again

3- I went to the dealer and I asked them and they told me that some switches might be worn out, but the guy there told me if the 4WD system is working them it is better not to change the stiupid switches because they are costy

I have posted about this before bot no body answered me, hopfelly I will hear anything from you guys

One last thing I want to add is the weather I live in desrt like weather, also last week when the flashing problem got worse I have read 44 degrees on the guage that is 44 celcios

sounds like we both have the same problem i had my selector switch replaced a couple of weeks ago and it worked ok for awhile but the problem is back my thoughts are that the linkage needs adjustment not real sure if this will remedy the problem but is my next step will contact and post findins later if you have found the answer please forward your remedy a.s.a.p i've already spent 150.00 replacing the switch could have used that money to go fishing. ha ha please help!!!!

rqm1959,

Please put your rig details in your signature so we can relate the kind of rig you're talking about. You can do so by clicking on the My Home link above where you can edit your signature.

Just the basic facts are fine. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I have been asking around for a long time and some one told me to check the tranfare-case fuild maybe it is out of date.

So I wonder how often should the Xcase fiuld be changed

I drive in 4wd alot, so I change mine once a year, and check it every time I get back from riding.

You have Active-Trac, and it's a front axle disconnect set-up. As far as I know, you must have vacuum to the front axle disconnect to keep the system out of 4 wheel drive. So, make sure you aren't losing or leaking vacuum to the vacuum solenoid or the plumbing that goes from the motor down to the front axle. You may just have a worn vacuum motor or solenoid that lets loose only intermittantly.
Can't say just how the DOHC 3.5 engine is set-up to provide your system with vacuum, as I have the smaller 3.0 liter engine. Ask around on this board for further help.
Could also just be a linkage adjustment or switch on the top of the transferbox like you were also thinking.
Hope this helps you out.

Houston-

Your reply was to me... not 3esso, so I'll ask:

Are you sure? my understanding was that the '95 SR had "live hubs" that are always engaged, and that the xfer case only disengaged the front driveshaft input.

My previous rig had vaccuum-actuated hubs so I'm familiar with the concept, and I don't see any vaccuum lines leading to my hubs, altho I'll admit to not having specifically looked.