My wife's '98 Amigo, has had problems with the 4-wheel drive staying on and not releasing properly. Now this has only been a momentary problem because it will eventually start working again.
The problem now is, as she was driving home from work in a snow storm with the 4-wheel drive on, she also had the cruise on and going about 50 mph. All of a sudden she had no power to the drive-train, and the motor revved up high, because of the cruise being set. The 4-wheel drive wouldn't kick on or off, nor could the car be driven anywhere. The drive-lines are in-tact, everything seems normal, except that we can't drive it anywhere. Is this an electrical problem, or what. Please, if anyone knows what the problem is let me know. I really need to get this fixed, and hopefully without taking it to a dealer. Thanks, ruckus1

First off, you should NEVER use the cruise control in snowy or icy conditions. NEVER.

Second, is this an automatic or manual transmission? If its a manual, you might have lost the clutch.

Ummm, I think that 4H has a high speed limit? Doesn't it?

Correct me if I'm wrong, as my current '97 Rodeo is a 4x2; but I had a '91 Rodeo 4x4 and I ONLY used 4H in stuck/sticky situations going no more then 20-25 mph tops.

And 4L was only used to pull my boat off a muddy dock.

Not sure if your wife had it in 4L or 4H, but either way, 50mph is a bit fast for the need to be in either. I'd have the transfer case and clutch inspected - hopefully the transfer case doesn't have teeth missing.

Ummm, I think that 4H has a high speed limit? Doesn't it?

Correct me if I'm wrong, as my current '97 Rodeo is a 4x2; but I had a '91 Rodeo 4x4 and I ONLY used 4H in stuck/sticky situations going no more then 20-25 mph tops.

And 4L was only used to pull my boat off a muddy dock.

Not sure if your wife had it in 4L or 4H, but either way, 50mph is a bit fast for the need to be in either. I'd have the transfer case and clutch inspected - hopefully the transfer case doesn't have teeth missing.Considering that you can shift into and out of 4H as long as you are going less than 60 mph (per the owner's manual) 50 mph isn't a stretch for 4H.

50mph or beyond wont hurt the 1998+ part time 4x4 system, but driving those speeds in 4x4 on dry pavement for long periods (say 10miles+) will. It sounds to me as if the transfer case range selector (floor shifter) popped out of 4hi on your wife. This is a fairly common thing on isuzu's and is a built-in 'safety feature' to keep the 4x4 drivetrain from binding on surfaces with not enough slip. All you have to do is stop the truck, engine running (keep foot on brake), put the trans in N, press 4x4 button and set the floor range selector back to 4hi. If that floor shifter pops itself between 4hi and 4lo (N) you are binding the drivetrain somehow. Most common cause is all 4 tires are not the same diameter (this is a MUST). One or more tires worn more than the rest will cause this. Uneven inflation will too.

G/luck
Joel

oh, ok, thanks for clearing that up.

I've just personally never seen the need to be in 4H if you're maintaining a speed of over 30mph, obviously at 40 and up, if you're going that fast you have more then enough traction.

Thanks, for your suggestions. I did what you said about the floor shifter, and it worked!!! Thanks a million, I appreciate it.

Totally agree Ramblin. If you can drive 40mph+, you dont need FT 4x4 on. It's amazing how many GIANT suv's you see spun WAAY off the roads on hywys after a good snow storm.:shakehead

Joel