Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Folks, I have not been able to find a answer to this so please let me ask.

2004 3.5 GDI Pajero (Gen 3)

Mechanically, changing from 2wd to 4wd and back again seems to work as it should; on a wet grassy slope, the rear wheels spin up easily but not in 4wd. However, when changing from 4wd to 2wd, the top two front wheel lights flash and never turn off. In 4wd, all 4 lights are on. I am thinking this is switch related but I am a diy mechanic hence asking for assistance.

I have changed the vacuum solenoids, freewheel engage switch and diaphragm and I plugged in all 5 transfer box switches to test (I have not changed them yet) but this did not change the situation. For example, plugging in the 2wd/4wd transfer box switch and manually closing the switch did not change the symptom. However, I appreciate, or think, that a combination of switch positions was required which may mean this was a pointless exercise.

I am wondering what the best course of action is. Do I change the 5 transfer box switches, not keen to do that on my driveway but will if recomeneded, or is there some other test for checking this issue that will get me closer to the fix.

I have no issue with the dash lights in all other mechanical positions of the 4wd system.

Many thanks.

Duplicate post, Admin please delete.

Many thanks

Hi There, I read your post with interest as I had an issue with 4WD indicator lights which took me a long time to resolve but in the process I learnt quite a bit about the system. From the information you have supplied it sounds like you have replaced quite a few items already (vacuum solenoids, freewheel engage switch and diaphragm ) and they must be functioning for the 4WD system to engage. Your issue is now "Disengaging" and you need to check that the actuator, Number 5 on the diagram, is actually pulling back. I did this by lying under the car and watching it while somebody Engaged and Disengaged 4WD.

The system also relies on the ABS sensors to give feedback to the system that the wheel speeds are all the same. See attached drawing Number 5. I made sure these where clean. Be careful fiddling with them as they can break easily if you try to remove them and they are generally quite robust.

Hopefully this helps before you look for further issues

vanasp, thanks for taking the time to reply and attaching the pdfs. I had not considered those things but will investigate this afternoon; fingers crossed!

Kr.

Jonathan