Transfer case stuck

Tiny
STEVECARPIO
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 KIA SORENTO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 150 MILES
My 4X4 is stuck on four low turned switch to 2HI and nothing. Is there a way to do it manually
Monday, May 30th, 2011 AT 12:36 AM

24 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Is the 4WD light staying on or blinking?

Disabling 4WD manually would have to depend on what is wrong.

Heres a guide on using a test light

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Test all of the fuses first, if good then check for power at the transfer case motor

See diagram below
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Monday, May 30th, 2011 AT 3:25 PM
Tiny
FIVEOO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 KIA SORENTO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
My 4 wheel drive tries to engage and makes a loud noise like its engaging and then disengaging. The light comes on to show that its in 4 wheel but doesn't engage
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
Check the actuator at the transfer case to see if it gets continuous power. If it does, have the actuator checked and replaced if needed. IF the power is broken, have the switch and wiring checked.
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KIADUDE62
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 KIA SORENTO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 73,258 MILES
My 2003 Kia Sorento is stuck in 4 wheel low. I have the knob which you turn inside the car. Car however does not want to go out of 4 wheel low. How do I get it out of that?
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
I need you to check the 4wd actuator is getting power when you turn the knob. If you are getting power, chances are the actuator is bad. If there is no power, work backwards to the switch. Check for damaged or broken wires. Check the switch itself.
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TADA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 KIA SORENTO
  • 110,000 MILES
Its not changing gears
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Have it scanned for both hard and soft codes. We need codes that begin with either a U, B, or C.
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZAIDEMAJEED
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 KIA SORENTO
  • 100,000 MILES
Good day my 4x4 low light remain on the dash I got the car scan it came up with P1729 what should I do
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Component Location

General Description

TCCU control EMC (Electric Magnet Clutch) by current and EMC distribute torque properly by using slip amount of multi-clutch.

DTC Description

As related to EMC, this trouble code is set if EMC output harness is shorted to ground.

DTC Detecting Condition

this has nothing to do with your issue. You need the 4 wheel system scanned for the issue, not the engine

Roy
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GREASESPOT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2006 KIA SORENTO
  • 120,000 MILES
Sometimes the 4WD high comes on when I start it (switch is still on 2WD), then turns off 10 seconds later (I hear it disengaging). Or sometimes it stays on so I turn the switch to 4WD, wait, then turn it off and it goes off.

It also engages while I'm driving, then turns off.5 to 10 seconds later.

Dealer says it's the 4WD control module, which is $1200. What POs me is I told another dealer about it repeatedly when it was still on warranty and they didn't find or do anything about it.

Suggestions? Comments?
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
You should get in touch with the dealer you told about the problem while it was under warranty. They should be able to get it under warranty.
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GREASESPOT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Even if they didn't write it up?
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
If you can speak with the person that talked to you about it, I would think so if they are honest and want to be helpful. It's worth a try.
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKSCHUMAKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 KIA SORENTO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 151,068 MILES
When turning at slow speeds (parking lot maneuvers), the rear wheels were binding up really badly. At times would bring the vehicle to a complete stop. I had the transfer case disconnected by cutting a wire to the transfer case. Vehicle runs fine, and I don't care about having 4wd at this point. Question is, will this have an effect on my transmission? I'm just trying to make this thing last as long as possible.
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GREASESPOT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It sure is worth a try, at $1200 for the part.

I'll give it ta try.

But what else could be causing it? I get lots of other possibilities when I do a Google search, including the transmission control module, which I believe is also reprogrammable. Could programming be it? Also, would this fault show up in their computerized troubleshooting/error codes?
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It won't hurt the 4wd but you may have a wheel bearings bad in car causing the binding or something in tcase doing it. It will set a code with the wire cut however.
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKSCHUMAKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes, I now have a flashing light indicating the transfer case is inop. Its not a bearing, as everything is fine now and the vehicle drives fine. I just want to make sure that I'm not doing additional damage to the transmission itself.
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Nope
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BBQ MAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 KIA SORENTO
Drive Train Axles Bearings problem
2006 Kia Sorento Four Wheel Drive Automatic

I had to put her in 4-low to get out of a "spot" now I switch the dash control to 2- wheel or 4-high. Won't come out. Do I need to back up for X amount of feet? Car can't go much more than 20 mph without the engingine screaming.
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
That is all the faster it should go in 4lo. Don't push it. As far as the 4wd, check to see if you are getting power to the 4wds actuator at the transfer case. Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Thursday, March 14th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM (Merged)

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