First post to this board. Just bought a 84 GL. Only one of the four wheel drives works. When the normal 4x4 light is on it won't engage gears. It's like I'm in neutral. When I pop it to 4 lo it works but the guy that sold it to me said he thought that was the only 4 wheel option and he took it up to speeds much higher than 4 low can get to. It is a Manuel, and has a ea81 brat motor in it. I would like to get both working. Just wondering how big a fix this might be. Thank you.

Sounds like a broken front cv axle or stripped front hub. 

Sounds like a broken front cv axle or stripped front hub. 

 

I don't think so. He says when he's in 'normal' 4wd it won't go, only in

low. Either the 4wd shift linkage is out of adjustment or something is

wrong in the tranny. I'd look at the linkage for damage and proper adjustment.

I'd undo the linkage under the car and engage it by hand then start it up and see if all is well. The linkage has three indentations. You push, pull it. I forget which direction is what but if you push it all the way in (2 clicks) it's either going to be 2wd or 4lo. And vice versa. Middle is 4wd high.

Hello,

 

I believe both of the above are correct.  Either way I don't believe you have a major problem....yet.  That linkage wears out on your 4WD shifter has a shouldered bolt in it.  When it is wollered out or someone has stuck a bolt in it too small it allows the shifter to have a lot of slop making you believe it is in 4Lo when your still in 4Hi.  Had this happen on my 87 gl.  The fact that it only works in 4wd drive is a common problem also like the above posted. Broken shaft or stripped splines which you can find all kinds of information on this site.

 

Peace,

 

Eric

It sounds like a linkage problem to me

No, both are not correct. This has nothing to do with hubs or splines. If it did, it would move in 4hi & 4lo and it doesn't. Since he does not mention any 2wd issues, we must assume it works. 4hi &4lo use the same shaft for the 4wd engagement. Lo just engages a ratio drop at the front of the case. If lo works but high doesn't, it is not related to front drive components.

slop in linkage. inspect the linkage on top of the trans. the lo range is ganged to the 4wd link. you should get another click on the lever for lo range.

Or he got a 2nd gen dl trans with only 4 high. If it has a brat motor swapped in it's possible, but might or might not be the case.

Or he got a 2nd gen dl trans with only 4 high. If it has a brat motor swapped in it's possible, but might or might not be the case.

when pushbutton trans, no lever

I'm confused.

when pushbutton trans, no lever

True, but someone could have pulled the vacuum pod and lever and afro engineered a linkage to the lever. Lord knows why anyone would do that though....

when pushbutton trans, no lever

I'm not talking about a 5 speed push button out of a 3rd gen. There are single range 4 speeds with a single range and a lever(i'm also not talking about a 1st gen). They had fat case ea71's in early second gen cars 79-81 with a single range that is the same bolt pattern as ea81 engines. It's unlikely he has one but it is still a possibility.

Sorry, i retract my statement: was thinking ea82. Actually my very first subaru, 84 gl wagon, had issues with trying to get into lo range and the nut was coming loose on the ball end of the linkage. Good luck

Thanks guys, I think your right, the handle seems sloppy. I think it's in high with out the light on and when the high light is on it's in between high and low. What's the best way to test the difference between 2wd, 4high, and 4low. Gravel lot? No snow around me right now to play around in

Edited January 8, 201511 yr by kanobi

Well lo is easy enough to tell, just look at the speedo at 3k rpms in first. Then look at it in lo. You'll be going significantly slower in lo.

 

For 4wd high, if you have a set of metal car ramps, set them up in front of the front wheels. Then hose them down so they are all wet. Try and pull up on them in fwd (will be very difficult). Switch to 4wd high and it should pull right up.

Another thing to note.  4 hi will have the same overall ratio as 2 hi.  Your revs should be the same at any given speed in 4 hi and 2 hi.  

I haven't put my car in lo in awhile but I believe when in hi 4wd there's a green light that says 4wd. When you engage lo there's a yellow light that says lo as well as the green 4wd light. Assuming those are working. I can check later.

Edited January 8, 201511 yr by Hitoshi

The lights won't be helpful in this scenario. Read OP.

Okay...lets clarify some info about these shifting and light activation systems.

 

4wd light for this trans is activated by a switch bolted to the floor, inside the car.  It can be out of adjustment.  Try lifting the lever a bit til you feel the first indent.  Regardless of if the light comes on.......then try that to see if you get 4wd Hi.

 

The "LO" light is activated by a switch in the trans....so If you see a "LO" light come on the dash, then it is actually in LO.....if not....you are likely in HI or the "nuetral" that is between Hi and Lo......really just a dead zone not meant to be nuetral.

 

My guess is that the switch for your "4wd" light is out of adjustment....and when you move the lever far enough to activate the light, you've actually gone past 4wd Hi and into the "neutral" dead zone.