92 Sidekick 4wdL light on, but gear is in 2wd

[pattie]

Hi,

First let me say THANKS for this board. I've had my Suzuki Sidekick for about 3 years, and love it, but it's needed a lot of repair. Thanks to all the helpful information here I've learned a lot about my sidekick and how to fix it myself.

Hope someone can help. Cruising down the freeway at 65mph tonight, all of a sudden my light indicating 4wdL came on. It's a 16V 5speed.

There was nothing that moved the 4wd gear shift (don't think you can actually move this while it's moving anyway)

After light came on, there was a strange noise. Pulled over to the shoulder to confirm that it appeared to be in 2wd. Took it to neutral, then back to 2wd, still the light stayed on.

Drove home on the shoulder with emergency flashers at no more than 30mph.

What the heck is going on? And how can I fix it?

This is my daily driver so I really need to get this fixed ASAP.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[fixkick]

seems to me it did go to 4wD, (not 2L but 4L)
the lamp goes to a switch in on 4wd transfer case. maybe some kids playing with it, parked?
does the front wheels have autolocks or manual , if manual turn them to unlock now, be safer.
if not someone fiddling that lever. unseen (kids)
my guess is the linkage on 4wd lever is messed up.


that noise has me worried. have shop that knows 4wd check that out.

are you driving on pavement,
if yes, and in 4wd , the steering would act very odd (binding up) and for sure turning,, (4wd is wrong for pavement free of ice) it will make noise for sure.
get the hubs unlocked first. so it can bind up.
]
the switch is just on top just forward of the shifter box.
seen on PDF page 169 here. shows how to test it with meter (ohms )

http://www.fixkick.com/tranny/sidekick_d...manual.pdf


"Confirm 4WD LOW switch has turned ON at 4WD LOW and
Neutral position.'"
its closed, for 4H,4L,Neutral but open for 4H:

that is quote. the lamp glows, in Neutral too, to warn the driver the 4wd lever is in the wrong posistion

you said took it to neutral but there are 2 neutrals, the 5sp or the transfer case.

good luck, and make sure its not in 4wd, on pavement.... or great danger awaits.

if hubs are unlocked , that is not 4wd, so is safe that way, on dry pavement (ice)

---

make sure the oil level on the transfer case is full to test port, hole bottom edge. GL4 (gear lube #4 )
it's checked same way as the 5speed. 10mm square drive is the correct tool. same way, same lube.
if real low?, the gears and bearings will fail. and bind up.
if stuck in gear, say 4H, and wont move the lever?
jackup one tire, to free it.

make sure the 4wd lever goes to neutral, (not 5sp) the 4wd lever.
it must, or the gears are bound up.

[pattie]

Hi FixKick,

Most likely not kids, as the light came on while driving down the freeway @ 65MPH after being on the road for 15 mins.

I was referring to the transfer case, it's the little shifter to the right of the 5sp shifter, should have said that, sorry.

So, the transfer case goes into neutral, it's autolock BTW, and steering is just fine, so perhaps it's not in 4wd and must the indicator switch?

I'll check the gear oil also.

Thanks for your quick response.

[fixkick]

the car is part time 4wd , 35 years made by suziki, then...
and has no center differential , until 2004
so must be driving offroad or on ice. or damage will happen.

i think it ran dry. leaks must be discovered.


http://www.fixkick.com/part-time-test.html

first get it into 2H some way and get the 5speed and transfer case , serviced with fresh, GL4 lube.