Full time 4x4??? HELP!

[trezisehay20]

So yesterday I bought a 2009H3 alpha and noticed it was in 4hi. I tried to switch it out of four high by holding the two outermost buttons to get it to go to 2wd. Long story short after I did that. It didn't budge an inch when put in reverse or drive is the H3 alpha a full-time 4x4? Or is there something wrong with my drivetrain?

 

[Alpha X]

Do you have internet access? You could do research. I'm trying to remember the website address for google. Let me get back to you.

 

[trezisehay20]

Do you have internet access? You could do research. I'm trying to remember the website address for google. Let me get back to you.

Yes. And what I'm reading is mildly confusing. It's full time 4x4 but not AWD? Mind you, a week ago I knew nothing about hummers. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[lfootmatt]

So yesterday I bought a 2009H3 alpha and noticed it was in 4hi. I tried to switch it out of four high by holding the two outermost buttons to get it to go to 2wd. Long story short after I did that. It didn't budge an inch when put in reverse or drive is the H3 alpha a full-time 4x4? Or is there something wrong with my drivetrain?

Did you climb underneath and verify you have a front driveshaft?

One reason to put it in 4hi lock is to fool the computer and sensors to let you run without a front driveshaft.

These things eat shafts like a pro,

drive shafts to be clear. Get your 13 year old mind out of the gutter.

Lots of data here, sometimes using google to search this forum works better than the internal search.

Good luck and keep us updated. If it is a front driveshaft don’t just go buy one. They’re all garbage.

Later,

Matt

PS. ROCK CHALK! Since you’re from Hutch

 

[4speedfunk]

There is no 2WD. The H3 has (3) t-case modes.

4HI is the normal mode that includes variable output and torque splitting between front and rear axles. Basically…the front axle gets reduced power during cornering to prevent binding in the driveline. The split is preset at 60/40 but it can vary all the way to 100/0. In this mode all safety systems (traction control, stabilitrac, ABS) are fully functional. Axle lockers (if equipped) are defeated.

4HI Lock is a traditional 4WD mode. As the name implies, the two axles are locked together in a 50/50 torque split. Traction Control and Stabilitrac are defeated. Axle lockers (if equipped) are defeated.

4LO Lock is same as above except for the gear ratio. This low range will be either 2.6:1 (standard) or 4:1 (Adv Pak option). Axle lockers (if equipped) only function in this mode.

Pressing and holding the two buttons as you described, puts the t-case into neutral. This is commonly used for towing behind a motor home. The vehicle will not move under power until you enter one of the three modes above. Lots more info in the owners manual.

 

[Exodus]

yes,these are full time 4x4, too painful to watch this

 

[4speedfunk]

Also…just like any 4x4 vehicle, don’t drive around on dry pavement in 4HI-Lock mode. Transfer cases hate this! The binding that occurs will put a tremendous load on the entire driveline. 4x4 vehicles (all of them) depend on sand, dirt, gravel, snow, ice, etc. to safely operate in a locked four wheel drive mode. These slippery surfaces allow the binding energy stored in the driveline, to be released. Not so on dry pavement.

Thats why Hummer gives you normal 4HI (unlocked) mode.

 

[trezisehay20]

There is no 2WD. The H3 has (3) t-case modes.

4HI is the normal mode that includes variable output and torque splitting between front and rear axles. Basically…the front axle gets reduced power during cornering to prevent binding in the driveline. The split is preset at 60/40 but it can vary all the way to 100/0. In this mode all safety systems (traction control, stabilitrac, ABS) are fully functional. Axle lockers (if equipped) are defeated.

4HI Lock is a traditional 4WD mode. As the name implies, the two axles are locked together in a 50/50 torque split. Traction Control and Stabilitrac are defeated. Axle lockers (if equipped) are defeated.

4LO Lock is same as above except for the gear ratio. This low range will be either 2.6:1 (standard) or 4:1 (Adv Pak option). Axle lockers (if equipped) only function in this mode.

Pressing and holding the two buttons as you described, puts the t-case into neutral. This is commonly used for towing behind a motor home. The vehicle will not move under power until you enter one of the three modes above. Lots more info in the owners manual.

Thanks for the info.

 

[trezisehay20]

Did you climb underneath and verify you have a front driveshaft?

One reason to put it in 4hi lock is to fool the computer and sensors to let you run without a front driveshaft.

These things eat shafts like a pro,

drive shafts to be clear. Get your 13 year old mind out of the gutter.

Lots of data here, sometimes using google to search this forum works better than the internal search.

Good luck and keep us updated. If it is a front driveshaft don’t just go buy one. They’re all garbage.

Later,

Matt

PS. ROCK CHALK! Since you’re from Hutch

Much appreciated. I just found the search feature. I'm still familiarizing myself with this site and the different features it has. I appreciate all of the info, I will do my best to keep everyone updated, I'm glad that I'm not going to need to drop thousand(s) on tranny work.

As a note, I found my answer on Google before I joined this forum. However, I like to cross-reference information to make sure I'm not missing anything important. Hence why I'm here now.

 

[alrock]

Glad you could join. I've seen that 4WD question stump a few owners and glad you found your answers.

 

[650Hawk]

Where did you come up with the idea of holding the outer buttons to put it in 2WD?

 

[trezisehay20]

Holding the outer two buttons on the four-wheel-drive control puts the transfer case in neutral correct? Generally speaking, putting the transfer case in neutral puts most vehicles and two-wheel-drive. I've since learned this is not the case on a Hummer since it is full-time 4wd.

 

[650Hawk]

Holding the outer two buttons on the four-wheel-drive control puts the transfer case in neutral correct? Generally speaking, putting the transfer case in neutral puts most vehicles and two-wheel-drive.

Not on any 4wd vehicle I've owned.

 

[alrock]

Putting a transfer case in neutral and thus having it in 2WD is like emptying a cup of water and calling it half full. You've got two very distinct states with no possible overlap. Maybe it's like putting my transmission in neutral to limit it to first and second speeds?

 

[zebra]

while i expect most folks understand what alrock's getting at, i'll lay it out there point-blank:
2wd and neutral are two different modes. putting a transfer case in neutral has the same effect as putting anything else in neutral: it disengages all gears and as such will not move under its own power.

the H3's transfer case only has "all-wheel-drive" or "no-wheel-drive"... no two-wheel-drive option like a traditional 4x4

 

[alrock]

while i expect most folks understand what alrock's getting at, i'll lay it out there point-blank:
2wd and neutral are two different modes. putting a transfer case in neutral has the same effect as putting anything else in neutral: it disengages all gears and as such will not move under its own power.

the H3's transfer case only has "all-wheel-drive" or "no-wheel-drive"... no two-wheel-drive option like a traditional 4x4

Thanks, my dry humor doesn't always communicate well!

 

[zebra]

oh, i liked your analogy



but i've also seen that kind of stuff go right over some folks' heads