4WD Not Disengaging when it should....ain't right!

RockyMtnTitan · 11-22-2004, 08:04 PM

I've searched this site and have seen other 4WD owners having this same problem, but haven't seen any satisfactory answers to this problem (I apologize if I missed seeing it), so here it goes again.

When I switch from 2WD to 4-Hi, the xfer case engages immediately. When switching back to 2WD, though, it takes sometimes up to 10- 15 min of driving to disengage. I've varied my speeds trying to get her to go by taking the load off, sometimes this works, sometimes not. Usually I have to almost come to a stop, then drive around some more before it disengages.

I'm sorry, but this ain't right! I've owned many 4WD vehicles w/ shift on the fly, and never had this problem. I'll have the dealer look at it when I go in for my first oil change, but was wondering how many others have/had this problem, and what did you do to resolve it. I just want to be prepared before talking to the service writer.

Thanks,
Steve

Mike H. · 11-22-2004, 08:09 PM

I've had to stop and back up, then go forward again. I've had to do that in GM trucks as well.

Deepwater · 11-22-2004, 09:36 PM

My LE is sometimes slow to come out of 4hi also, the light blinks for a little bit and then it will go back too two wheel drive.
It has not gotten stuck in 4 hi, it has always unlocked and went back to 2hi.

PurdueTitan · 11-23-2004, 07:05 AM

taking the load from the engine off helps, but I would also unload the transfer case by turning left and right from center just a little bit back and forth. If you are in a slight turn it will hold it in gear.

igotatitan · 11-23-2004, 08:21 AM

I've had this issue with every "shift on the fly" 4wd vehicle I've ever owned. You have to remove most of the load from the viscous coupling in the transfer case before it will shift back to 2wd.

tillery444 · 11-23-2004, 08:25 AM

Sometimes it helps to shift from D-N-D while driving, or just come to a complete stop ans start again.

FLfinfan · 11-23-2004, 04:57 PM

Had 2 Frontiers and a Titan now. I've had to stop and back up a few feet, then go forward to get it to disengage, on all of them. Always stopped to put in 4wd even though it says I don't have to. Put it in neutral before shifting in and out also, but thats just me. The Frontys had a shift lever and the Titan has a "A/C switch". The shift lever trucks said in the manual/documentation to do the back up routine I'm pretty sure.

*Squid* · 11-23-2004, 05:06 PM

From my 72 landcruiser to the Titan I've always had to play with them so I don't even think anything about it.
It's just the way a 4X4 is.

But I've got to go out later tonight(over 100 miles) and we're getting 3 inch's of snow so I'll get to really play with it later.

RockyMtnTitan · 11-23-2004, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tillery444

Sometimes it helps to shift from D-N-D while driving, or just come to a complete stop ans start again.

I'll try the D-N-D thing next time to see if it helps. I understand it's not going to disengage with a significant load on it, but you shouldn't have to come to a stop for it to do so. Waaa, Waaa, Waaaa!

........I know! Oh well, still beats gettin out of the truck to lock em in like the old days!

Thanks,
Steve

*Squid* · 11-24-2004, 01:04 AM

Tonight I found that I lift off the gas when I reach over to take it out of 4Hi.
I didn't even know I did that until tonight.

RockyMtnTitan · 11-24-2004, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squid

Tonight I found that I lift off the gas when I reach over to take it out of 4Hi.
I didn't even know I did that until tonight.

Yeah, that's what I do too. The problem is intermittent on mine. Sometimes it switches back to 2WD within 30 sec, other times it stays engaged for a very long time, even though I take the load off, vary speed, etc. Not a big deal, but I'll mention it to the dealer when I go in for my first service.

Also, my tranny will sometimes downshift while descending a hill at about 45mph in OD (tow mode off).......kinda wierd. I'm still gettin used to this truck, though, so maybe it's just me.

Steve

trx450rlude · 11-24-2004, 06:37 PM

mine does this too. One night I never got it back into 2 wheel drive...It did not matter what I did...I tried all that was mentioned and it had no effect....It just does it when it wants to....I did not have this problem with my 96 4runner that I traded in for this Titan.....It would engage and disengage as soon as I hit the button...this is not right...Also, my 4 wheel drive is so noisy it sounds like something is going to break...My 4runner was so quiet you wouldn know it was in 4 wheel drive unless you looked at the light...I also had a 1985 Toyota Landcruiser FJ60 with 160,000 miles and the 4 wheel drive in it worked way better and was way quieter....overall it was tighter at 160,000 miles then this Nissan is brand new.

Also does anybody have any issues with thier tranny's shifting out of 3rd into 4th when you are into the gas pretty heavy....Mine will just stay in that gear until you finally have to let off of it to get it to shift. Then when you let off enough for it to shift into 4th, then slowly step into it again to use 4th gear. It will want to shift back to 3rd again....makes it really hard to drag race....and it dont matter if you shift it manually or not...cause it still wont shift until I let the RPM's back down....does this sound familar to anyone...or just mine...thanks.

DStewart · 11-24-2004, 09:18 PM

I have noticed with mine that it shifts back quickly only if the road is smooth. I tried shifting it back while on a dirt road and it wouldn't shift back until I got on a smooth road.

trx450rlude · 11-27-2004, 08:58 PM

I think I know whats doing this. I think whats causing this is too much traction. The other times I had this problem was either on dry or wet pavement where I get tons of traction. I was in some mud lastnight and I noticed that when the tires can slip it slips in and out of 4 wheel drive fast and easy. But when you do it on a surface where you are getting to much traction its more difficult for the system to shift back to 2 wheel drive. ...