4WD not engaging

[OOHonda]

Hi,

Im new to the board.

I have a 2000 Honda Passport 4WD, auto. The 4WD doesnt want to engage. The instrument light blinks but it never engages. I have tried driving at speeds below 60(like it says to do) and pressing the 4WD button, leaving it in park pressing 4WD(then shifting into drive) and neither will make it engage.

I bought it used, luckily i got a powertrain warrenty with it. It was working this past winter and up until now. I was going to put it up on the ramps to change the oil but no luck getting into 4WD(gravel drive way)back tire just spins trying to get it on ramps

Is it low on trans. oil. If its an easy fix then I'll do it myself to save me the headache of going to the dealership.


Thx for any help.

[2000Frontera]

Hi there,

had a similar problem once on my 2000. There's a vacuum controled solenoid on the front axel that engages the front drive train when you select 4WD. This is driven by a vacuum canaster that is located down there as well. This vacuum is created and stored in this canester from the engine whilst driving. It tends to retain enough vacumm in my case for about 12 hours to allow me to engage 4WD before needing to turn the engine on to build up the vacuum. If the hoses which supply the vacuum are reptured or disconnected, or the solenoid jams up internally, it won't engage and trip the contacts which lock that 4WD light hard on. You can also tell that the vacuum is working when you turn the Ignition on when starting. The 4WD symbol keeps flashing until enough vacuum is created in the canaster before turning off. Then when you select 4WD it will come on flashing until engaged and will then stay on. Some models had electric solenoids. Not sure which, but they were noted for failing after water ingress destroyed there internals. Good luck.

Wayne.
Down Under

[rodeo02]

Wayne is right. This is a stuck shift on the fly actuator. This is an electric unit on 1998-2004 rodeos & commonly gets internal corrosion & hangs up. You can remove & clean the one you have, or buy a new one. It's mounted to the left side of the front axle tube.
G/luck
Joel

[2000Frontera]

By the way,

more info and pics on the issue.

http://www.isuzoo.com/articles.htm/65

Wayne.

[rodeo02]

Originally Posted by 2000Frontera

By the way,

more info and pics on the issue.

http://www.isuzoo.com/articles.htm/65

Wayne.

Good call. The rodeo SOTF actuator is the lower pic.
G/luck
Joel

[OOHonda]

Thanks for the info fellas.

I'll take a look at it this weekend.