Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

[Clive]

Hi Everyone


Back in January 2011 Rhanagar did an in depth write up about the workings of shift on the fly, which is great by the way, and it’s written from the point of view the 4wd is not working.

I don’t know if anyone can help me but the problem I’m having is the 4wd button on the dash is constantly flashing when in the 2wd position.

At the moment the car is jacked up all round, if I press the 4wd button on the dash in, the light stays on solid as it should do and yep the 4wd engages ie. if I turn the front road wheel by hand the one on the opposite side of the car turns in the opposite direction.

I’ve even started the engine and put the car into gear then very carefully let the clutch engage and sure enough all 4 wheels are on the move.
If I then press the 4wd button on the dash to take the car out of 4wd it does exactly that, but  the light on the dash just continues to flash instead of a couple of times then go out.
In other words, as soon as the ignition is switched on the light on the dash starts flashing immediately even though the button is in the 2wd position.

A few years ago, I had a problem with electrics on the sotf and it turned out to be the switch on top of the actuator, it’s the switch with a ball bearing in it, anyway I found a broken wire in it and made a repair and it’s been ok ever since.

I’ve checked it's function and it's working fine, so no problem there.

I do have a multimeter although I’m not into auto electrics especially wiring diagrams.

I’m assuming it’s an electrical fault, where would be the best place to start electrical fault finding, I don't want to end up frying something on the electrics in the process.

The car is an Isuzu Trooper 3.0L diesel 2000 reg.


Thanks to anyone who can help

[Google]

[C.B.]

TBH the manual can be a bit confusing in this area, first relevant section (4B1-11) says :-
When switching from 4WD to 2WD
1. In case that the 4WD indicator continues blinking
by 2Hz .
The 4WD indicator continues blinking by 2Hz until
both shifting the transfer gear and disconnecting the
front wheels are completed when switching 4WD to
2WD. When driveline is loaded with torsional torque,
the shifting transfer gear and disconnecting front
wheels are impossible. In this case, removal of
torsional torque on driveline make the shifting
transfer gear and disconnecting front wheels
possible.
Solution 3: When vehicle is running, drive
straight ahead while accelerating and
decelerating. When vehicle is at a stop, move the
vehicle forward and backward from 2 to 3 meters.
2. In case that the 4WD indicator’s blinking changes
from 2Hz to 4Hz.
Check the position of transfer lever. Is it at “4L”
position? In view of the shifting mechanism of
transfer, the gear shifting from 4WD to 2WD at “4L”
condition is impossible.
Solution 4: Push the 4WD switch to 4WD, shift the
transfer lever to “High” position and re–operate
the 4WD switch to 2WD.

then several pages further (page 4B1-30)  it says the following:-

Front Axle Diagnosis

When the 4WD switch is operated from 4H to 2H,
indicator light does not go out.
Step Action Yes No
1 Drive slow 100 — 200m after a few minutes” idling.
Has indicator light gone out? All right. Go to Step 2
2 Jack up front tires.
Does the right side of front wheel rotate when the left side of front
wheel is rotated? Go to Step 4 Go to Step 3
3 1. Check the actuator switch.
2. Check the circuit to indicator.
Was a problem found? Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Disassemble axle
ASM for check.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
4 1. Check the VSV valve.
2. Check the circuit to VSV valve.
Was a problem found?
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace. Go to Step 5
5 Is vacuum piping all right? (tank, hose, & pipe damage or trouble)
Go to Step 6
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
6 Does actuator work all right?
Trace this chart
from the start.
Disassemble axle
ASM for check.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.

Basically break it down Actuator, VSV valves or vacuum piping and follow the steps as 1 to 6.  If that doesn't shake the bug out then I'd be looking at the 4WD module having a fault on the circuit board but that is unusual.

hope this helps
_________________
'00 3.5i V6 SWB Trooper (18 MPG )
'02 SAAB 95T Aero (F.A.F.   )
'19 1.5D Nissan Van (Mr. NV   )