Service Manual

8.12
FINAL DRIVE
AWD Operation
The AWD switch may be turned on or off while the vehicle is
moving, however, AWD will not enable until the engine RPM
drops below 3100. Once the AWD is enabled, it remains
enabled until the switch is turned off.
Engage the AWD switch before getting into conditions where
the front wheel drive may be needed. If the rear wheels are
spinning, release the throttle before switching to AWD.
With the AWD switch off, the vehicle drives through the rear
wheels only (2 wheel drive). When the AWD is enabled, the
front drive acts as an on-demand AWD system. This means, the
front drive will engage once the rear wheels have lost traction,
and will remain engaged until the torque requirement goes away
(i.e. rear wheels regain traction).
AWD Engagement: When the AWD switch is activated, the
AWD coil is powered by a 12 Vdc input which creates a
magnetic field. This magnetic field attracts an armature plate
that is keyed to the roll cage. When the ring gear and roll cage
are spinning (vehicle is moving), the energized coil and
armature plate will apply drag to the roll cage that indexes the
rollers inside the ring gear to an engagement position. While in
the engagement position, the front drive will be in an “over-
running” condition (not engaged), until the rear wheels lose
traction. Once the rear wheels begin to lose traction, the front
drive will engage by coupling the output hubs to the ring gear via
the rollers. The front drive will remain engaged until the torque
requirement goes away (i.e. rear wheels regain traction).
AWD Disengagement: Once the rear wheels regain traction,
the front wheels will return to the “over-running” condition.
The vehicle is now back to rear wheel drive until the next loss
of rear wheel traction occurs.
CAUTION
Switching to AWD while the rear wheels are
spinning may cause severe drive shaft and
gearcase damage. Always switch to AWD while
the rear wheels have traction or are at rest.
Output Hubs
Armature Plate
Roll Cage
Ring Gear
Magnetic Coil
CAUTION
If the rear wheels are spinning, release the
throttle before turning the AWD switch on.
If AWD is engaged while the wheels are
spinning, severe drive shaft and
clutch damage could result.
Rollers
Roll Cage
Ring Gear