REMOTE FREEWHEEL (RFW) OPERATION [G6, WLT-1, WLT-2]


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2H (free) to 4H Selection

•  The remote freewheel (RFW) unit is automatically locked when the select lever is moved from 2H to 4H while the vehicle is stopped. At this time, the 4x4 indicator light and the RFW indicator light illuminate to inform the drive that the vehicle is in four-wheel-drive mode and that the RFW unit is locked.
Caution
•  The changeover from 2H (free) to 4H (locked) MUST NOT be made while the vehicle is moving because it may result in damage to the front differential and RFW components.
If such a shift is made by mistake, a ratching noise may be heard. In this case return the select lever to 2H and press the RFW main switch.

4H to 2H (free) Selection

•  The RFW unit will be automatically freed when the RFW main switch is pressed once after the select lever is moved (while the vehicle is moving or while the vehicle is stopped) from 4H to 2H. At this time, the 4x4 indicator light and the RFW indicator light go OFF to inform the driver that the vehicle is in 4x2 mode and that the RFW unit has been freed.
Note
•  The RFW unit will remain locked only if the RFW main switch is pressed while the vehicle is operating in 4H or 4L.

2H (lock) to 4H, or 4H to 2H (lock) Selection

•  If the RFW unit is locked, the transfer case can be changed from 2H to 4H or vice versa while the vehicle is running. At this time, the RFW indicator light remains illuminated to inform the driver that the RFW unit remains locked.

4H to 4L, or 4L to 4H Selection

•  As with a conventional 4x4, the transfer case can be shifted from 4H to 4L or vice versa when depressing the clutch while the vehicle is stopped and the engine is running. At this time, the RFW unit remains locked, and the 4x4 and RFW indicator lights remain illuminated.

Remote Freewheel Unit: FREE

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•  The RFW actuator pulls the sleeve away from the front differential output shaft, allowing the front differential to rotate freely.
The rotation of the right front tire is absorbed by the front differential, with the result that the ring gear, drive pinion gear, and front propeller shaft do not turn.

Remote Freewheel Unit: LOCK

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•  The RFW actuator pushes the sleeve over the output shaft, and the front differential output shaft and joint shaft are coupled together.
If the sleeve and the output shaft are not aligned when actuated, the RFW actuator applies pressure to the sleeve unit it can slide into place.
The rotation of the front propeller shaft is then transferred, via the front differential, to the front tires, and four-wheel-drive operation is possible.

2H (free) to 4H Selection

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Part name

Input

Output

RFW actuator Position

Condition

Transfer neutral switch

4x4 indicator switch

RFW switch

RFW main switch

Lock solenoid

Free solenoid

4x4 indicator light

RFW indicator light

2H-F
OFF
ON
OFF
-
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
Free
4H-L1
OFF
OFF
OFF
-
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
Lock
4H-L
OFF
OFF
ON
-
ON
OFF
ON
ON
Lock

•  When the select lever is moved from 2H (2H-F in RFW control module) to 4H, the 4x4 indicator switch (in the transfer case switch) changes from ON to OFF. As a result, the RFW control module establishes a condition known as 4H-L1, and the lock solenoid is switched ON, causing the actuator to move toward the lock side. At the same time, the 4x4 indicator light is illuminated.
When the RFW unit is fully locked, the RFW switch is switched ON, and condition 4H-L is established in the RFW control module. The RFW indicator light illuminates to notify the driver that the RFW is locked.

4H to 2H (lock) Selection

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Part name

Input

Output

RFW actuator Position

Condition

Transfer neutral switch

4x4 indicator switch

RFW switch

RFW main switch

Lock solenoid

Free solenoid

4x4 indicator light

RFW indicator light

4H-L
OFF
OFF
ON
-
ON
OFF
ON
ON
Lock
2H-L
OFF
ON
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
Lock

•  When the select lever is moved from 4H (4H-L condition) to 2H, the 4x4 indicator switch (in the transfer case switch) changes from OFF to ON.
If the RFW main switch is in the OFF position, condition 2H-L is established, the lock solenoid remains ON, and the RFW actuator is held at the lock position. At this time, the 4x4 indicator light is switched OFF.

2H (lock) to 2H (free) Selection

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Part name

Input

Output

RFW actuator Position

Condition

Transfer neutral switch

4x4 indicator switch

RFW switch

RFW main switch

Lock solenoid

Free solenoid

4x4 indicator light

RFW indicator light

2H-L
OFF
ON
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
Lock
2H-F1
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
Free
2H-F
OFF
ON
OFF
-
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
Free

•  When the above condition (2H-L) the RFW main switch is pressed once (ON), condition 2H-F1 is established, the RFW indicator light is switched OFF, and, same time, the free solenoid is switched ON, and the actuator is pulled to the free side. When the RFW unit becomes fully free, the RFW switch is turned OFF, and 2H-F condition is established.

4H to 4L or 4L to 4H Selection

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Part name

Input

Output

RFW actuator Position

Condition

Transfer neutral switch

4x4 indicator switch

RFW switch

RFW main switch

Lock solenoid

Free solenoid

4x4 indicator light

RFW indicator light

4H-L
OFF
OFF
ON
-
ON
OFF
ON
ON
Lock
N
ON
OFF
ON
-
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
Lock

•  When the select lever is moved from 4H to 4L (both 4H-L in the RFW control module) or vice versa, there is a change to the neutral condition midway through the changeover thereby momentarily switching ON the transfer neutral switch (in the transfer case switch), and switching OFF the 4x4 indicator light.
During 4H or 4L operation, the lock solenoid is ON (as a result of 4H-L condition), and the RFW actuator is held in the lock position. If the RFW main switch is pressed at this time, there is no effect upon the RFW actuator.

Ignition Switch or Engine Switch Turned from OFF to ON

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Part name

Input

Output

RFW actuator Position

Condition

Transfer neutral switch

4x4 indicator switch

RFW switch

RFW main switch

Lock solenoid

Free solenoid

4x4 indicator light

RFW indicator light

4H-L
OFF
OFF
ON
-
ON
OFF
ON
ON
Lock
2H-F
OFF
ON
OFF
-
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
Free
2H-F
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
Free

•  When the ignition switch or engine switch is turned from OFF to ON, the switches and solenoid are activated to provide the same RFW condition as when it was turned off.