Hi, I recently had the privlage to inherit my Dads showroom condition 1991 trooper, its a fine truck. I has hardly been used in the past 2 years and during the recent snow I followed the instructions and the green light on the dash indicates that the 4WD is on, yet I feel it is still in 2WD. When I push the winter mode button, it lights for 30 seconds then goes out. This truck has auto-hubs. Can anyone advise? Thanks Kathy
can't engage 4WD
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
First of all, the winter mode has nothing to do with the 4 wheel system. Winter Mode should work in both 2 and 4 wheel drive. Winter mode simple starts you out in a higher gear rather than 1st. This gives you a different amount of torque to the tires at a lower RPM...the result is that you are less likely to spin the tires when you're starting out. After you get above a certain speed everything will act normal. Occassionally the winter mode on my 97 Rodeo will come on for a few seconds and then turn itself off. I'm not sure what causes this, but try setting it when you're in park and see what happens...maybe this will make a difference. Just keep trying it. If it never works right then you have a problem!
When you shifted into 4 wheel was it 4 High or 4 Low? If you were in 4H moving slow in the snow chances are you wouldn't feel much of a difference at all. If you're not used to 4WD then I suggest you do this (only ONCE and for a SHORT TIME!!) -- go to a dry parking lot and shift into 4H. Step on the gas and drive straight for a second, you should note an increase in the feeling of power. Then try and turn a tight circle -- if the 4WD is working you'll know it! It'll jerk and feel nasty. Do the same for 4L -- and this time it should even feel more powerful and it will really be fun doing a circle! Don't over-do this because driving on dry pavement for an extended period with 4wd engaged is hard on the transfer case! A minute or two will not hurt it.
Also, you should have 4wd shifting instructions on your visor. I have a 97 Rodeo with SOTF (shift on the fly), but I imagine the 91 was the old system like my 94 Trooper. To shift into 4wd in my Trooper I have to come to a complete stop, put the transmission in neutral and then shift into 4wd. To disengage 4wd I have to stop completely, put the transmission in neutral and then back up in reverse for about 10 feet. This disengages the clutches in the older auto-locking hubs.
This should be enough for you to figure out how to properly engage the 4wd and to check that the system is working properly. If this doesn't work, let me know!
When you shifted into 4 wheel was it 4 High or 4 Low? If you were in 4H moving slow in the snow chances are you wouldn't feel much of a difference at all. If you're not used to 4WD then I suggest you do this (only ONCE and for a SHORT TIME!!) -- go to a dry parking lot and shift into 4H. Step on the gas and drive straight for a second, you should note an increase in the feeling of power. Then try and turn a tight circle -- if the 4WD is working you'll know it! It'll jerk and feel nasty. Do the same for 4L -- and this time it should even feel more powerful and it will really be fun doing a circle! Don't over-do this because driving on dry pavement for an extended period with 4wd engaged is hard on the transfer case! A minute or two will not hurt it.
Also, you should have 4wd shifting instructions on your visor. I have a 97 Rodeo with SOTF (shift on the fly), but I imagine the 91 was the old system like my 94 Trooper. To shift into 4wd in my Trooper I have to come to a complete stop, put the transmission in neutral and then shift into 4wd. To disengage 4wd I have to stop completely, put the transmission in neutral and then back up in reverse for about 10 feet. This disengages the clutches in the older auto-locking hubs.
This should be enough for you to figure out how to properly engage the 4wd and to check that the system is working properly. If this doesn't work, let me know!
That is a very good way to check 4wd,Had I known that when I purchased my 95 rodeo I would not be $360 in the hole. 
I had that same problem with my rodeo and the problem was,the snap ring had fallen of the tip of the axle causing it to grind out the hub and smoothing out the end of the axle.You can check this by crawling under your truck and pulling on your left and right axle and see if you can pull them out of the hub.I bought a new axle for $85 at auto zone and a set of manual hubs from( http://www.superwinch.com/home.html ) for $170.I hope this helps
I had that same problem with my rodeo and the problem was,the snap ring had fallen of the tip of the axle causing it to grind out the hub and smoothing out the end of the axle.You can check this by crawling under your truck and pulling on your left and right axle and see if you can pull them out of the hub.I bought a new axle for $85 at auto zone and a set of manual hubs from( http://www.superwinch.com/home.html ) for $170.I hope this helpsAn even easier way to check if 4WD is engaged without possibly binding up the transfercase is to simply have someone watch from the outside and then hit the gas enough to make the tires spin - very easy with snow on the ground.
If it is still a no go, then I would think the problem lies in the hubs.
Showroom condition 91 Troop, eh? I'm jealous - you'll have to post a few pics when you get a chance...
Good luck.
If it is still a no go, then I would think the problem lies in the hubs.
Showroom condition 91 Troop, eh? I'm jealous - you'll have to post a few pics when you get a chance...
Good luck.
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
