'86 4WD and I can't figure out how to put it into 2WD...

KuhnaydeeinKuhnaydeein Band Wagon
in Engine & Drivetrain
I just got this thing today! 1986 Honda Civic Wagon 4WD, just over 200,000 miles on the Odo-meter, all for $550. Physically not in bad shape at all!

The thing is: The "4WD" icon in the dash cluster is lit, even when I turn the button off. The only directions I have to go by are the ones on the passenger side visor, but they didn't take...

I started it out in it's current "4WD" mode, got going straight and hit the button. Nothing.

Am I reading it wrong, or doing something wrong? Please Help!

Comments

  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    You might need to be stationary and in nuetral to switch?
    Not sure with the 3rd gens, sorry. :?

    I'm sure someone will be able to answer, though!
  • DD Wagonist
    Pacifier wrote:
    You might need to be stationary and in nuetral to switch?
    Not sure with the 3rd gens, sorry. :?

    I'm sure someone will be able to answer, though!

    If it is physically stuck in 4x4.... you can disconnect the the 4x4 actuator on the side of the transfer case/rear tranny mount. Then you can physically move the linkage for 4x4 by hand. Troubleshoot the actuator, or the solenoids in the 4x4 control box (upper left of engine bay, follow the vacuum lines from the actuator, to the hard lines, and back up to the control box).

    hope that helps.

    Also, 4x4 should be automatically selected when in 'SL'
  • akiraboyakiraboy HondaCivicWagon.com Founder
    agreed, the 4wd is actuated like D says. D was the one who taught me :roll:

    thx D

    let us know if it works out
  • KuhnaydeeinKuhnaydeein Band Wagon
    I don't know if it's Physically Stuck or what... but the light just never goes out no matter what the state of the button is. And on pavement, making tight turns is very hard on the thing, I can tell.

    Can you tell me where in this picture to look for said actuator and/or hoses?

    http://static.flickr.com/76/199750782_082edbb226_b.jpg
  • DD Wagonist
    Kuhnaydeein wrote:
    Can you tell me where in this picture to look for said actuator and/or hoses?

    The actuator is bolted to the side of the rear transmission mount. From there, follow the vacuum lines to the solenoids. The solenoids are in a small black box, to the left of the big black box mounted on the firewall.
  • KuhnaydeeinKuhnaydeein Band Wagon
    Awesome Directions!

    Can you see the solenoid in this picture?
    http://flickr.com/photos/kuhnaydeein/199750786/
    If so, please put a note on it!

    I'll get a clearer view later today when I take it to Les Schwab's to get the tires balanced and aligned. So, while it's in the air there I'll see about taking care of that!

    Thanks again guys!
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    Maybe the button/switch has lost functionality i.e. broken? Doesn't have to be anything complex.
  • KuhnaydeeinKuhnaydeein Band Wagon
    Pacifier wrote:
    Maybe the button/switch has lost functionality i.e. broken? Doesn't have to be anything complex.

    I hear ya! I'd love it if it were something like that, but the thing (4WD Button) still lights up like it's working... so I don't think it's the problem.

    I took it into Les Schwab this evening and had them balance the tires and fix the alignment, and while it was up over the pit, they let me go under it, but alas, I couldn't make hide nor hair of it.

    So I bought the Chilton Civic/CRX/Del Sol 1984-95 Repair Manual!!! Woo Hoo! I'll have the problem narrowed down in no time!

    If you guys don't already have this book, get it! Or, you can ask me to look something up for ya and I can just take a pic of the pages... Whatever helps!
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