Wierd Switch For 4Wheel Drive

[natrensland]

OK heres the deal i have a 1986 nissan pathfinder se offroad, now theres a switch on the right side of the stearing wheel on the dash that say inter-lock. Now this pathfinder has manual locking hubs and the v6. I was out mudding the first day i got it and got stuck fairly quick i was puzzled for an hour i had it in 4hi hubs locked in yet my front tires werent moving, then i see this switch that says inter-lock and hit the gas and lone and behold it activated my 4 wheel drive. My question is what is this switch for were does it go to and what the hell is it. Its been driving me nuts.....

[beavis0076]

this switch is meant to let you start the truck without depressing the clutch.... it will not engage your 4wd. :-)

[natrensland]

this switch is meant to let you start the truck without depressing the clutch.... it will not engage your 4wd. :-)

 

well withought flipin that switch i cant use my 4 wheel drive i was stuck and no sooner than i flip that switch it worked

[RedPath88]

That switch can not engage 4wd, as stated above, all it does temporarily allow you to engage the starter without the clutch depressed.

 

WD21's do not have any form of electrical engagement of the 4wd system, it is controlled 100% by the transfer case lever on the floor.

 

I would say that you simply rolled far enough forward to engage the auto hubs (these are also purely mechanical and use zero electronics) but you already stated that you have manual hubs. So you must have already got out and turned both hubs to the 4x4/4WD settings.

 

Perhaps one of the hubs did not properly lock, and by coincidence, it engaged about the same time you pressed the switch.

[natrensland]

That switch can not engage 4wd, as stated above, all it does temporarily allow you to engage the starter without the clutch depressed.

 

WD21's do not have any form of electrical engagement of the 4wd system, it is controlled 100% by the transfer case lever on the floor.

 

I would say that you simply rolled far enough forward to engage the auto hubs (these are also purely mechanical and use zero electronics) but you already stated that you have manual hubs. So you must have already got out and turned both hubs to the 4x4/4WD settings.

 

Perhaps one of the hubs did not properly lock, and by coincidence, it engaged about the same time you pressed the switch.

 

 

No when i went up to the mountains locked in the hubs and then found a mud hole and went in, and after a half hour of trying to get unstuck, ( checking my hubs, making sure the diff was locked in.) i got back in and saw the switch and flip it and my 4wheel drive light lit up and was able to pull out withought a problem,

my toyta has that switch and i know what it is. it has nothing to do with the clutch ive already tried that many times. any time i go offroading now i have to flip that switch or my front end will not engage, if you were here you would be as puzzled as i am. I will end probaly having to talk to nissan or something.

[GrimGreg]

Unless the previous owner used that switch to trigger a front air locker instead, it was purely coincidence.

[Kingman]

Red couldn't have made it any clearer. The only miniscule electrical being within the 4x4 system is the dash light, which is tripped by a sensor on the transfer case I believe. It's possible that someone fuggered up the wiring and when you press the button the light comes on, but that button can't shift a linkage and start turning a transfer case.

 

That interlock button, as already stated, is purely for starting a manual without the clutch. I own one and use it all the time.

Edited February 17, 2010 by Kingman