Buying my 1st Jimny. Need Guidance.

Hi, Im planning to purchase my 1st 4x4 and am interested in the Jimny. I've seen one for sale in my country(one of the few on sale) and really like the outside/interior condition of the vehicle. I'm new to 4x4's so I don't really know what to look out for when buying them. I'm used to regular cars but not 4x4's.

I test drove the Jimny and everything seems okay while on 2WD. But when shifting to 4WD High, I didn't see any 4WD light come on on the dash. When shifting to 4WD low, the 4WD light came on but it was flashing. Should the light be on constantly when 4WD is engaged on a Jimny? I didn't really feel anything different while driving the jimny from 2WD to 4WD so I suspect that 4WD didn't engage during my test hence why the light didn't come on on the dash. Am I correct?

I really like the car and am hoping its a cheap fix to sort out the issue with the 4WD not engaging if that indeed is what it happening. I've done some research and have noted others saying its a vacuum pipe issue that keeps the 4WD from engaging. Should I still buy the car and just have the 4WD checked and repaired by a mechanic? How much am I looking to spend for such a repair? I'm not a DIY type of guy...

BTW, its a 2003 model JLX MT.

Please if anyone can help me out with these questions. Thanks.

sounds like the vacume fwh's are not engaging thats why the light was flashing as it should stay on when in 4wd

Thanks for the info guys.

I'm hoping its just a vacuum problem and i can tell my mechanic what to fix since I have a jimny service manual I can print out to guide him if he isn't familiar.

I'm located in Metro Manila Philippines where everyday roads are terribly bumpy and filled with pot holes, hence why I think a tough 4x4 suspension will be able to cope better with the rough roads. I'll be using 2WD most of the time and just want to have a working 4WD option available in case I plan to go to the countryside where there are dirt/gravel roads.

Another thing I'm worried about is the "death wobble" I keep hearing about online. On my test drive I managed to get the jimny up to 70kph and didn't feel any death wobble so I am hoping the unit I'm purchasing still has a pretty good suspension that needs little work. It's just the 4WD that is the problem during my test. I'm planning to go back to see the unit again soon before I buy the thing to check the axles for leaks or cracks, something I didn't know to check since I'm new to the 4x4 market.

I'm learning a lot from the info posted on this forum.

Hey up,

Just in case, you do know that you can only use the 4wd on loose or slippy surfaces?
On tarmac you can only use 2wd anyway.
Due to the Jimny not having a centre diff.

At least, that's the way I understand it.

Keith

By the way, Welcome to the Forum.

Yup, I know that the jimny 4wd can only be used on low traction conditions.

Another thing I want to know is what breaks on a Jimny if its used on tarmac with 4WD engaged. I'm wondering if the jimny I'm about to purchase has something more serious wrong with it such as damage due to the 4WD being used by the previous owner while on tarmac. If the 4WD is damaged due to this type of use, will you know about it right away on a test drive? Do the gears make a grinding sound or something that can help me tell if its not just something simple like a vaccum problem that is causing the 4WD not to engage on the jimny? On my test drive in 2WD, everything seemed normal. No noises or grinding sounds can be heard. Only the 4WD light blinking on 4WD low and not coming on at all when on 4WD high. I'd hate to buy a lemon from a dodgy dealer.

Hi there, Ive got a red Jimny 2002, only done 20,000 miles. Havent really used it!!! (dont do off roading)
how much does the person want for the 2003? (when you change to 4wheel on mine it registers on dashboard. Thinking about selling mine. (I cycle most of the time!)