Fixed vacuum leak, 4x4 still doesn't seem to work

[Tonyp.]

I recently found a cracked vacuum line, and spliced and fixed, but then I got stuck the other day in some loose gravel and didn't see my other tire spinning. Its a 2001 s10 zr2. I'm wondering if this is even a problem, I've heard other people say they can't even feel it engage sometimes. PLEASE HELP!!! Want to go to the mountain in confidence

[Bads Crew]

Did the light on your dash come on?

[Bads Crew]

Here is a great site if you have a ZR2.

http://www.zr2usa.com/home.php

[Tonyp.]

Thanks for the reply, uh the light would flash for while and then go on, now it will go steady on. Is there a quick test to see if its locking that doesn't involve a lift?

[Tonyp.]

I also already replaced the actuator switch. I think Vacuum actuated 4x4 was a great dream but has leaps and bounds to go. Is there anyway to put in cables and manual locking hubs? Is it worth it? I mean the vacuum lines were routed parallel with the exhaust , I'm an engineer and that doesn't sound like good routing design. I know I'm cryin, but I had to get it out. Thanx

[Bads Crew]

[quote=Tonyp.] I also already replaced the actuator switch. I think Vacuum actuated 4x4 was a great dream but has leaps and bounds to go. Is there anyway to put in cables and manual locking hubs? Is it worth it? I mean the vacuum lines were routed parallel with the exhaust , I'm an engineer and that doesn't sound like good routing design. I know I'm cryin, but I had to get it out. Thanx[/QUOTE

Here is a kit to do the job.

POSI-LOK

[Tonyp.]

Hey thanks alot, I think I'll probably go with that instead of dealing with vacuum.

[OverBoardProject]

There is a cable replacement, but they are JUNK.

They charge an arm and a leg, and use cheap hardware store parts. The only good thing about it is the actual cable, which you can get from a heavy equiptment parts store.

I made the mistake of buying one, and altough I like the idea I hated the twice when my 4wd wouldn't work because of the poor quality parts spulied.

They don't bother responding to my e-mails, or trying to correct the problems


Here's the pic's



If you can find a sutiable cable I'll go th the hardware store and get a list of the parts required to make 1. It'll be less than 1/2 the price.

[herkyhawki]

Tony, stick with it, and check each component,
1. Do you have vacuum ?
2. transfer case sw must be good if it's new.
3. vac line to and from tc sw.
4. vacuum actuator. (under battery)
5. front axle actuator cable (runs from actuator to front axle housing.
I suspect the vacuum actuator (under battery tray) is bad. I got one on ebay for $50.

The posi-lock cable costs more than the stock vacuum system components. It must be engaged in addition to the dash sw, so when you have an immediate need for 4wd, you have 2 things to engage instead of one.

[Tonyp.]

Hey thanks alot for all the suggestions, I think I will stick it out. Somebody told me to check the encoder motor. I'm going to troubleshoot all day if I have to, weather permitting . One more thing, does anybody know where the encoder is? Thanks again everybody

[OverBoardProject]

If you can wait a couple of weeks I might have a new design made up.

Unless someone has a chance sooner than I will (I'm busy these days)

What I'm going to try doing is take a power lock solinoid and have that engage the 4wd.

If this works it'll be easy to wire up to the 4wd switches if you want to, and also have a switch to override it giving you 2wd lo range if desired.

My plans are to make the design public (and free) allowing anyone to make their own out of autowreck parts.

I can't see why it can't be done, and why there isn't a company making the kits already

[herkyhawki]

Originally Posted by OverBoardProject

What I'm going to try doing is take a power lock solinoid and have that engage the 4wd.
I can't see why it can't be done,

Let us know. I'll be Very surprised if a pwr lock has enough force to shift it. If you want to spend some time at the junk yard, I'd suggest looking at pwr window actuators, or electric seat actuators/motors.

If a person understands how it works, and really wants a "cheap" just-to-get-by fix, a $10 hand-choke kit could be rigged up to shift the front axle.

[OverBoardProject]

The truth is that I've got spare power locks, and for that mater spare power windows (no power seats though) So that's why I'm trying the power locks first.

It really doesn't take much force to pull the cable so it might work.
I'm more worried about it holding everything in place.