4wd indicator flashing when switched to 2wd, then BANG

Hi Guys

Been trawling the forums to find some solutions to my problems and can't seem to locate a good answer to pin-point my problem.

Just some background, I'm a pure novice in 4wd and just getting into the scene of 4wd. Brisbane, QLD based

Bought a 2010 Jimny M13A just yesterday and did the big-nonos with testing 4wd (on tarmac because I didn't know any better). It was raining a bit and engaged 4wd-L on tarmac.

Scenario --

When I switched from 2wd to 4wd, it did the clank-clank, reverting back to 2wd, it did the click-click which is a good sign. I did not drive this forward or backwards.

The moment I engaged from 4wd to 4wd-L, the 4wd-L indicator was flashing and could not revert back to 4wd or 2wd. I drove it only in a straight line up for a bit, and reversed hard a few times hoping it would disengage the 4wd-L indicator. Moving forward, it won't disengage so I turned off the engine and turned on again.

As soon as I turned on the car, the indicator was in 4wd but with a solid light. I switched to 2wd, then the 4wd indicator light started flashing.

When this was flashing, I tried driving the car forward and just tilted my steering wheel a tiny bit, then I heard 1 solid loud BANG, I think coming from the centre of the vehicle. Got worried of course and wondered what it could have been. After the loud bang, the flashing 4wd indicator suddenly disappeared and apparently I'm set in 2wd now.

Drove around a bit and seems to be fine.

I saw on the forums to check on the U-bolts. I had a check and looked fine and intact but then again I should probably get pictures for the group to assess and if how I'm assessing it is correct.

Questions are

• Can someone advise the best way to triage the loud bang problem, assuming the assessor (me) is a pure and clueless novice? I have seen in the forums that I should check Hubs, U-bolts, Front-shaft, T-case but I'm not really sure what to look for?
• I'm not sure if the aftermath of this episode has caused the steering to be a bit stiff when doing a few dry steering (turning steering when vehicle is very slow moving or full stop). Firstly, is stiff dry steering normal or is indicative of a potentially locked hub? Would changing to a manual hub be better in the long run and is it an easy mod to perform?

Before I take it to a 4x4 Mechanic, it would be great if I can find out what happened and see if it's something I can fix myself. Even if I can't fix it myself, at least I have triage it well enough for the mechanic to have a closer look (referrals to a good Jimny Mechanic is highly appreciated)

Thanks everyone and sorry if this post causes some cringes and face-palms. I'm hoping the answer to my woes can help someone out in the future.

Cheers
J

As for the steering, I don't know but you can get a bang from the transfer box when coming out of 4WD if you have some transmission wind up. Its the stress in the system after using 4WD on a grippy surface. Its probly ok, give it a test on a loose surface to check it still goes in and out of 4WD ok.

As 1066Boy said get it on something where you can wheel spin
try the 4wd if it goes in ok give it some throttle and get a little wheel spin going
then it will unwind its self

i know this works

Jack

I'd agree it sounds normal.....the manual states that you have to be stationary to engage/disengage 4WD low.....even at low speed it makes a fair old noise.


Welcome to the forum......now go playing in the dirt!!

Thanks for the inputs guys. After going through the forums a bit more, it led me to check the front prop shaft to see if I'm still engaged in 4wd. Had a check and saw that I could rotate the front prop shaft easily so pretty confident my 4wd isn't engaged.

Thing is, my steering wheel still feels stiff when turning. If I try to do a 3-point turn or just simple turns, it requires a certain amount of exertion just to move it... Not too much but enough to notice that it seems there's no power steering. Been driving normal and no wobbles on steering wheel at 80ks to 100ks.

Was thinking if the loud bang was related to this and could be a partially (or fully) seized power steering box?

What would be the best steps to approach this? Reckon it's something I need to replace or is this something I could fix? Not sure what's the first things I need to look at before concluding it's a shot power steering?

Thanks again!

PS: Will play in the dirt when I get this sorted I'm looking at Mt Mee area for starters!

Would be suprised if it was the power steering, could you have a damaged cv joint, which could explain the stiff steering