DB-51T - 4WD trouble

Hello Everybody:

I keep on having trouble with 4wd. Lever in 4WD position, Axle lock lit (yellow lamp), 4WD in dash board lit - but no 4WD. I have a 5 gear transmission but no diff-lock.

Any ideas?

mm.

 

Take out seats, check and see if the diaphram unit on front differential is doing anything when engaged and/or when axle lock button is pushed. Axle Lock locks your front hubs in automatically versus having manual locking hubs, if its not working you will not have 4wd. Thats my guess and opinion....others here are more knowledgeable on trouble shooting.

 

Thanks .. but ..

Here are my symptoms: 4wd lever to 4wd and axle lock lit, I don't get 4wd. I can tell, because with 4wd engaged, the truck runs 'harder' (can't take off in second gear) and it slows down pretty fast when clutch is pressed (is that normal?) .

But - after a while, 4wd actually engages and runs fine. I checked the diaphram unit, it pulls in in all the way.

Hmm .. weird. Is there any additional electronics that might have a problem?

mm/

 

are your tires exactly the same all of the way around? a difference in tire circumference between the front and the back will put your drivetrain in a constant bind trying to run at different rates while in 4wd. that might also cause them to not immediately synchronize when you push the button, and definately slow you down more quickly when coasting. in another thread we were recently discussing this. some of the manufacturers specs are a little off. you would think that a 23x8x12 and a 23x10x12 would be the same height, just a different width...nope... some of them are an inch or more different in height . still bearing the same advertised dimensions.

 

I had the same problem. The cause of mine was the 4x4 cable had broken off inside the rubber boot, so not visually apparent. Check to make sure the lever is actually moving when you shift to 4x4, if not replace the cable.

 

Thanks All - solved

Here it comes: I DO have different (smaller) tires on the front (is that a problem) ? But I am now able to switch from 2WD to 4WD - all I have to do is:

a) In 2WD - activate Axle Lock (light comes on)
b) Switch lever to 4WD

That's pretty much it. Though I have a few more question:

- With running motor (not moving) I hear a slight tick-tick-tick coming from the rear .. any idea?
- It's kind of rough to get the lever from 4WD back to 2WD. I really have to pull the lever hard. It's easy the other way around.

Thanks again for your help.

mm.

 

When you shift the lever into 4wd the axle lock light should come on automatically. How long have your drove it with different sized tires?

 

Thanks Again

Well, I put on those tires (from the friendly Mexican 'Used Tire' store around the corner) a few days ago. Haven't driven the truck *that* much. But I realize now, that different size tires are a bad idea. I see if I can get other tires and try to stay in 2WD only until then.

Thanks guys. I really appreciate your help.

mm.

 

Yep...bad idea.

when in 4wd the front and rear axles are going to rotate at exactly the rate but, the taller tire is going to "try" to cover more distance than the smaller tire and cause the bind that will wear something out really fast.

 

Yeah different size tires is not good on a 4wd....and based on what you said it also seems you may have something wrong with axle lock, if indeed it doesnt just come on automatically.....

 

BTW- The ticking noise you hear is the electric fuel pump working. If you quit hearing the noise, you will soon be walking.

 

Yes, Ticking from the rear is good when idling. NO ticking, YES walking!

 

the ticking is your fuel pump

 

must learn to read all the way to the last post

 

You will get less ribbing that way.
Another tip: Check the last post date
- if it's old then everyone has moved on.