H3 Stuck on 4X4 low

[Josh09H3]

I took my H3 on a very light off road trail, so I turned on the 4X4 low. When I got back to the pavement I switched back to the standard 4X4 but I noticed that when I made a turn the engine began to feel sluggish and power was still going to all four tires. I decided to turn off my H3 and let it sit for an hour. After an hour passed, I drove it and everything was fine. Now I'm kind of paranoid about switching to 4X4 high and low again fearing that it would stay stuck permanently. If anyone could tell me why this occurred that would be great. :thumbs:

 

[06 H3]

Is it in neutral when you switch? You sitting still? Make sure the buttons aren't sticking

 

[Josh09H3]

When I switched to 4X4Low I was still in Drive sitting still with the brake pressed down.

 

[alrock]

The switch in and out of 4Low is supposed to be done in Neutral. The shift in/out of 4 High-Lock can be done in Drive.

 

[3rdH3]

What alrock said. To go to 4 low you must be in neutral, stopped or barely moving. Mine switches best at 3-5 mph, my best guess because the speedo is hard to read at such a low speed. You will get a pronounced clunk when it switches in or out.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Don't shift to 4 lo in gear or while moving. There's a plastic shift fork in the transfer case that will go snap if you look at it wrong (fortunately, it's a cheap fix; however, it's a major PITA if it does it a long way from home because that's either a spendy tow, or a risky long drive home)....

 

[3rdH3]

From the Manual, as I indicated in my previous post, mine shifts smoother at a very slow roll. There is a fail safe. If you are rolling too fast it simply will not shift.​

To shift into Four-Wheel-Low Lock,the ignition must be in ON/RUN and the vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph) with the transmission in N (Neutral) .The preferred method for shifting into Four-Wheel Low is to have the vehicle moving 1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph). Press and release the Four-Wheel-Low Lock button .If the vehicle has a manual transmission, the clutch pedal must be pressed to the floor while you press the Four-Wheel-Low Lock button, or the shift will not be completed. You must wait for the Four-Wheel-Low Lock indicator light to stop flashing and remain lit before shifting the transmission into gear. It is normal for the vehicle to have engagement noise and bump when shifting between Four-Wheel Low and Four-Wheel High ranges or from Neutral.
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If the Four-Wheel-Low Lock button is pressed when the vehicle is in gear and/or moving too fast, theFour-Wheel-Low Lock indicator light will flash for 15 seconds and not complete the shift.
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Shifting Out of Four-Wheel-Low Lock​

Notice:​

Shifting the transmission into gear before the indicatorlight stops flashing could cause damage to the transfer case. Always wait until the indicator light stops flashing before putting the transmission back in gear.​

To shift out of Four-Wheel-LowLock, the vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph) with the transmission in N (Neutral) and the ignition in ON/RUN. The preferred method for shifting out of Four-Wheel-Low Lock is to have the vehicle moving 1.6 to 3.2 km/h(1 to 2 mph). Press and release the Four-Wheel High or Four-Wheel-High Lock button .If the vehicle has a manual transmission, the clutch pedal must be pressed to the floor while you press the Four-Wheel High or Four-Wheel-High Lock button,or the shift will not be completed. You must wait for the Four-Wheel High or Four-Wheel-High Lock indicator light to stop flashing and remain lit before shifting the transmission into gear.It is normal for the vehicle to have engagement noise and bump when shifting between Four-Wheel Low and Four-Wheel High ranges or from Neutral. If the Four-Wheel High or Four-Wheel-High Lock button is pressed when the vehicle is in gear and/or moving too fast ,the Four-Wheel High or Four-Wheel-High Lock indicator light will flash for 15 seconds​

but will not complete the shift.

 

[Josh09H3]

tremendous advice. Thank you guys! :thumbs: