This is not meant to be a flame but I've seen alot off this in the last couple months.
Ok let's backup a little bit.
On the 98 and newer Isuzu's Rodeo's/Amigo's/RodeoSport's and Honda Passport's you own a 4wd vehicle (4wd=four wheel drive).
The owners manual apparently leads people to think they own an AWD vehicle(AWD=AllWheelDrive).
Regardless of what the Owners Manual say's NEVER OPERATE YOUR VEHICLE IN 4WD ON PAVEMENT OR CONCRETE IF YOU CAN "SEE" THE PAVEMENT OR CONCRETE!
IF IT'S SNOWING/SLEETING WHATEVER.......IF YOU CAN SEE THE ROAD SURFACE YOUR TIRES CAN TOO.tHIS MEANS YOUR TIRE WILL BE GOING THRU WHATEVER IS ON THE SURFACE AND GETTING TRACTION ON THE HARD SURFACE.(yes ice is transparent <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />~)
If you/she/he drives on pavement(even wet or a real wet slush)the kind of slush that let's the tires get to the asphalt then it will bind the TransferCase up,when it binds it will "pop" out of gear and go into the condition discribed by most as "neutral" or engine just rev's.
I hope this isn't to technical,but It can be explain'd differently.
This is not an AllWheelDrive system.There is no differential in the TransferCase.So if the tires are on pavement even though it's wet there will be Binding happening especially during or after a turn.The front of the truck turns in a different arc/radius than the rear.This means the front and rear actually travel different lenghts which is what causes the binding.
Differentials allow both sides of the differential to operate at different speeds.The front and rear of the vehicle each have differentials.These allow passengerside and driverside tires to rotate at different speeds for going around corners,the outside tire has to travel further because the radius is bigger,without a differential the inside tire(in the corner) will want to spin,chirp or chatter.So now that that makes since;).
The front and rear of the vehicle travels in different radius's when drivin' around a corner.Without a differential in the transfercase(too allow front and back to travel at different speeds/distances)the transfer case and driveline will bind up and try to break something.Luckely Isuzu's will pop out of Hi-range when this happens(severly)mildly it won't "unlock 4wd".
When the 4wd button is pushed,it activates two solinoids.(98-02)(not sure exact on 02+)
One moves the Transfer case into 4wd,then the front axle disconnect moves and locks the driverside axle together.
You do not have a 4wd lever.....period.
That lever is a manual way of shifting into low range.(low range will allow slower more control'd speed's)great for long slopping driveways cover'd in snow,slow speed's allow
gas to be given and drive down the hill.
The vehicle has what is called drive flanges on the front axle,they mechanically lock the hubs/C.V. joints together.The vehicle does not have manual,automatic or locking hubs.
So the binding that happens will not let the vehicle go back into 2wd or it "pop's" out of gear.
"binding" is a bad thing cause if it doesn't pop out of gear then something can break.
If you can't get the truck out of 4wd:
1)Place transmission in nuetral--Make sure vehicle is in Hi-range.lever on the rightside of transmission shifter,it should be pushed towards dash for Hi-range.
2)place transmission in opposite direction it was in when you attempt'd 2wd before,roll forward or backwards and turn the steering wheel you should hear a click and the light will stop flashing.
If the vehicle is driving over 30 MPH you do not need 4wd! It doesn't matter what the owners manual says,because if you can go to the store,etc on the road at 50,60 you obviously have enough traction to cause the frontend or transfercase to bind up and break something.
This is not meant as a flame to anyone,it is just a general post I can save and modify to help explain to new owners of Isuzu 4wd vehicles that these are not AWD.
Bansil
