4wd light blinking, shifts into 4wd, in 4wd grinds in tight turn

[4x4passport1185]

Hi,

I have a 1998 Honda Passport. The 4wd light started blinking yesterday. However, it will go into 4wd both high and low. I found another thread that helped trouble shoot this problem, but my problem is different. I have found that the 4 wheel drive vacume hose on the actuator has suction in both high and low. However, the 2wd hose does not have suction in 2wd.

When I shift it into 4wd, the car makes a harsh grinding noise, when I am in a sharp right turn and slowing.

I just spent $700 in other repairs (new starter, oil pressure censor, and overheating problems). Please help. I can't afford anymore repairs!

Thanks

[Gizmo42]

Either your soleniod valves are bad or someone messed up the vacuum hoses and connected them wrong. Should only have vacuum on one hose at a time in the appropriate mode. You will need to use the vacuum diagram in that post to trace the hoses.

As for the grinding, are you using 4wd on dry pavement? If so then dont. Its meant only for low traction situations (dirt, snow, etc.) If there is too much traction for the wheels to slip a bit you'll bind up the drive train and could possibly break something.

If you have vacuum on the 4wd side all the time then your front axle is always locked in which could also bind up things. Swap hoses temperarily so the vacuum is on the 2wd side long enough to disengage the front axle.

[atomsplitter]

I had a problem with mine not engaging the front axle. I thought it was the vsv's at first but it ended up being the front actuator was very stiff. I took it apart, cleaned it, put it back with fresh fluid and it works perfect everytime. If you have a vacuum guage you can check vacuum at the front actuator to see if you're getting a vacuum signal to the front axle.