Hello, I am new here!

I have a V6 98 Isuzu Rodeo with 50,000 miles with the auto transmission. I was on a recent trip and was slightly offroad on a hill and I was starting to slip. I pushed the 4WD engage button as I have done many times before and it instanly engaged. As soon as I got onto the pavement I pushed the button again and although the indicator started to flash it would not disengage. The road was getting dry so I pulled of the side several times trying to play with the controls and nothing. I did not want to drive with the car in 4WD so I tried several things. On the gravel a minor panic stop got the system back to 2WD.

We drove about 20 miles on a winding road and stopped for gas. I could smell a definitely burning smell like a clutch or burning plastic. I checked all over the car annd everything seemed OK so we proceeded.

Later on it started to rain and hail on the freeway so I pushed the 4WD button again at about 50 mph in 4WD high gear. The car then did something I could not explain. It was like pushing the clutch in on a manual. I lost power and the engine would rev but no drive. I coast off the side of the busy freeway at night in the rain (&*%$!) after fiddling with the gear selector and moving the car from high to low 4WD a couple of times we proceeded on our way in 2WD. I am not a 4WD expert so I thought that I would join thhis board and ask one of you. I have an italian sports car I work on but have not much luck on the Rodeo. I tried to change the starter once and had to have the truck towed to the dealer!!!! So I have pretty much given up working on it.

I was hoping one of you tech gurus might be able to help me diagnose the problem so I could talk intelligently to the dealer. I am asuming something electrical screwed up and hope that the 4WD or transmission were not harmed!

Is there a clutch of some kind in there that would have given off the burning smell?

Thanks!

Rob Garven
Ventura CA