Auto Hubs will not lock on 2001

[OvalSports]

My 2001 has a hard time engaging. After the button is pushed the light will just flash. Sometimes it will lock if I rock the truck back and forth. I know manual hubs work mechnically better, but I like to keep the wear down and the gas mileage up. Without having a 2wd option on the transfer case, I rather fix the system.
Any ideas? I'm thinking the air motor might be going out. I can hear a slight clunk when it tries to engage, but the light still flashes.

[rodeo02]

You dont have auto locking hubs on your 2001. Isuzu went to solid drive flanges from 1998+. Your half shafts spin in 2wd or 4x4. The shift on the fly actuator is what mechanically 'disconnects' the front axle and an electric clutch in the transfer case is what turns off the output on the xfer case. You probably have a corroded electric SOTF actuator motor on the front axle (all electric on 1998+ rodeos). That's the most common cause of 4wd problems on the 1998+.

G/luck
Joel

[OvalSports]

Thanks for the info. I am a little more confused now though. You wrote that the transfer case controls the front drive, the there is still a motor on the front axle? Here's what I understand. The hubs (98+) are full time and an electirc motor in the transfer case engages the front drive shaft.
Please let me know if I'm on the right track. Thanks

[rodeo02]

Yep, there's a motor in the transfer case to turn it on/off and a motor for the SOTF actuator. The SOTF actuator is on the drvs side of the front axle tube. It slides a splined collar back/forth to make the front axle solid or open.

Joel