4x4 not working

[tboaxe]

I have a 96 honda acty realtime 4x4. Front tires will not turn in four wheel drive. Anyone have any suggestions on what i should do? Thanks...

[Timetripper]

My experience is with Subaru's so your Honda might be different.
Usually in Subies/Mitsi/Suki/Diahat's they are part time systems
that use a system of electrical solenoids and vacuum diaphrams
to engage the 4wd [front axle components]. With the Honda being
"real time" aka full time then you should have power to the front wheels
always. I would guess that they have some type of viscous coupling in the
center diff to allow the front drive shaft to turn at a different rate from the
rear drive shaft, if the didn't then something would wear out or break very quickly.
That being said then why aren't you getting power to the front end?
Hmm... Have you checked under the truck to see if drive shaft still in place?
If you jack up one front tire can you spin it with the other front tire on the ground?
If yes is the drive shaft spinning to rear transaxle when you do this regardless
of what grear it's in?
If you jack up both front tires and have someone put their foot on the brake
and with the transmission in neutral you should not be able to spin the front drive shaft.

*****Please use proper jack stands before you crawl under your vehicle****
*****Never go under your vehicle whicle supported on jacks :eek:*****

Sorry for the PSA :D

Also you could check your fuse box on the off chance that there is a electrical circuit
involved with the Real time system.

Good Luck with finding the problem:)

[tboaxe]

Thanks for all the info on the four wheel drive. I noticed my front right cv boot busted could this cause a problem som how???

[JTapscott]

You have a switch on the trans, that will change from 2-4 It will have orange paint on it, I had the same thing with one of my hondas, the switch is on the right side of trans,

[Timetripper]

Probably not for this problem, however a broken boot will allow all the dirt and grime into the CV joint causing it to fail.
This could get serious if you were driving fast and it came apart - this would leave the half shaft to flail about and maybe
break other things in the process.

See the other poster's suggestion on the 4wd switch, maybe that's the answer to the other problem.
I always though Honda's were always in 4wd - I learned something new.:D

Thanks for all the info on the four wheel drive. I noticed my front right cv boot busted could this cause a problem som how???

[tboaxe]

Thanks for the new info. Going to take a good look at it all hopefully get it fixed. It was working fine and just stopped all of a sudden. I work, hunt out of this truck and have yet to find someting it can not do. These trucks are beast in the mud. Thanks again for the help. Let you know how it goes.

[tboaxe]

Wanted to say thanks for the help on my 4wd problem. I was able to find that the front right axle was broken. Trying to find a axle is there a web site i can order one?? Thanks again fellas

[tboaxe]

Thanks again for the 4wd info. I found a local 4wd shop where i live and the guy rebuilt my axles yes 2 of them in about 30 mins.!! Taking the first axle off was tough but not as hard as getting it back on. haha. Truck is running good now ready for the woods and trails.

[Timetripper]

Good to hear that you are all fixed up and digging ruts with all 4 wheels :D

[Northern Tire and Auto]

You have a switch on the trans, that will change from 2-4 It will have orange paint on it, I had the same thing with one of my hondas, the switch is on the right side of trans,

Tell me more about this switch. I just bought a '93 AWD and couldn't find the switch your talking about. This would make towing on a dolly possible.

[JTapscott]

On a RHD it is on drivers side of tran, I had to look more than one time to find , It will have a 2-4 on switch. You will have to remove a locking screw to change ,