i have a 1988 townace super extra 2.0l td 4WD when i press the 4wd button on the dash it will only go into 4wd when engine is revved 2-3 times. i pressume it is sticking solenoid on transfer box or i may be completely wrong can any body help many many thanks

- (#658) sean, 12 Apr 05 17:03

Mine's like that. I think that the transfer box can only engage when the splines line up so there can be a delay until the shafts jiggle around a bit.

Likewise when you de-select. It will only disengage when everything is slack, which can require driving short distances back and forth.

- (#658) Dave Mason (Sussex), 14 Apr 05 10:35

If it doesn't drop into 4WD after a few second at tickover, it may be that you are losing some vacuum somewhere, and a qick rev bring the vacuum pump up to speed & therefore more vacuum. The vacuum is vital, as the transfer box is sucked into 4WD & out of it, by the solenoid operated vacuum valve. Check that you haven't got a vacuum hose off somewhere that is losing your vacuum.

As Dave says though, it can sometimes take a short while to drop in, even at idle, as all the gears in the transfer box have to line up first, the 4WD indicator on the dash doesn't light until the microswitch on the transfer case detects it has dropped in, it is not controlled by the dash switch.

HTH Rob.

- (#658) Rob Drinkwater , 16 Apr 05 05:24

posted message about 4wd selection only selecting when engine is revved. advised that it may be a vacum problem.

thanks for the advice obviously a vacum problem.
is vacum taken off vacum pump on alternator or is it taken off inlet manifold cant seem to find it????

many thaks

- (#658) sean, 1 May 05 17:00

Vacuum pump. trace the hoses from over the top of the engine (beside the oil filler cap), there are a number of Tees to the solenoid valves beside the aircleaner, then there's a little pipe hiding behind the fuelfilter that takes the vacuum back to the rear of the car. There's a vacuum reservoir under the floor behind the sliding door, then the solenoid valves are inside the car between the sliding door and the wheelarch

- (#658) David Miller, 2 May 05 03:23

thanks dave your a star!!!!!!!

- (#658) sean, 19 May 05 13:30