1998 OPEL FRONTERA 4WD

4B1–11 DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
Functions of Indicator Lamp
Indication of vehicle condition : Indicator lamp is
controlled by 4WD control unit and shows vehicle
conditions as below.
Indicator
Vehicle condition4WD switchTransfer position
switchFront axle switch
Off2WDOff (Close)2WD (Open)2WD (Open)
On4WDOn (Open)4WD (Close)4WD (Close)
Blink (2Hz)OperatingOn (Open)4WD (Close)2WD (Open)
Off (Close)2WD (Open)4WD (Close)
Blink (4Hz)Stop operatingOn (Open)2WD (Open)2WD (Open)
Off (Close)4WD (Close)4WD (Close)
Bulb check :To check the bulb of indicator lamp, the
indicator lamp comes on when ignition key is turned on,
and goes off when the engine is started.
Retrials from 2WD to 4WD :In cold weather or under
high speed condition, the gear shifting (engagement)sometimes does not complete by 3 trials. In such case,
the indicator lamp inform driver of this incident as
aforementioned chart (shown at Retrial in Outline of shift
on the fly system).
Diagnosis
Before Judging That Troubles Occur
(Unfaulty mode)
When Switching from 2WD to 4WD
1.In case that blinking frequency of the 4WD
indicator changes from 2Hz to 4Hz.
When heavy synchronization load is needed, the
motor actuator tries the shifting transfer gear three
times including the activation shifting. While the
motor actuator tries shifting, the indicator blinks by
2Hz. If the third shifting fails, the indicator’s blinking
changes from 2Hz to 4Hz at the same time that the
motor actuator shifted back to 2WD.
Heavy synchronization load occurs by:
extremely lower temperature.
higher speed, rotation difference of wheels during
cornering.
Solution 1: Operate again after stop the vehicle or
slow down.
2.In case that the 4WD indicator continues blinking
by 2Hz for more than 11.5 seconds.
When there is rotation difference of wheels or there
is phase difference between front wheels and axles,
it is difficult to connect front wheels to front axles. The
blinking by 2Hz shows that shifting the transfer gear
or connecting the front wheels is in the middle of
operating. In above case, the indicator’s blinking by
2Hz shows that connecting the front wheels is not
completed (because the indicator’s blinking changes
to 4Hz when the shifting transfer gear is impossible.).
And removal of rotation or phase difference make
connecting the front wheels possible.
Solution 2: When vehicle is running, drive
straight ahead while accelerating and
decelerating. When vehicle is at a stop, move the
vehicle forward and backward from 2 to 3 meters.When switching from 4WD to 2WD
1.In case that the 4WD indicator continues blinking
by 2Hz .
The 4WD indicator continues blinking by 2Hz until
both shifting the transfer gear and disconnecting the
front wheels are completed when switching 4WD to
2WD. When driveline is loaded with torsional torque,
the shifting transfer gear and disconnecting front
wheels are impossible. In this case, removal of
torsional torque on driveline make the shifting
transfer gear and disconnecting front wheels
possible.
Solution 3: When vehicle is running, drive
straight ahead while accelerating and
decelerating. When vehicle is at a stop, move the
vehicle forward and backward from 2 to 3 meters.
2.In case that the 4WD indicator’s blinking changes
from 2Hz to 4Hz.
Check the position of transfer lever. Is it at “4L”
position? In view of the shifting mechanism of
transfer, the gear shifting from 4WD to 2WD at “4L”
condition is impossible.
Solution 4: Push the 4WD switch to 4WD, shift the
transfer lever to “High” position and re–operate
the 4WD switch to 2WD.

4B1–25 DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
Diagnosis of the Faults Based on the
Status of 4WD Indicator Lamp, 4WD
Switch and T/F Change Lever
Diagnosis charts are shown on below. If troubles can not
be solved after every chart was traced, troubles may
occur in the 4WD control unit. In this case, replace the
4WD control unit and trace every chart again.
Fault on switching from 2WD to 4WD
1.In case that 4WD indicator’s blinking changes
from 2Hz to 4Hz after Solution 1 is carried out.
Faults occur in the motor actuator or the transfer case
assembly. Remove the motor actuator and check
function. If problem was found and it was repaired, try
Solution 1 again. After that, disassemble the
transfer case assembly for check and repair or
replace. If incident is not improved after above
mentioned actions were taken, replace the 4WD
control unit.
2.In case that 4WD indicator does not blink nor
light, when switching from 2WD to 4WD.
Step
ActionYe sNo
1Is ignition turned on?
Go to Step 2
Turn on the
ignition and trace
this chart from
start.
2
Does the indicator light comes on when the engine is not started?
Go to Step 3
Burning out of
indicator lamp or
disconnection of
harness wire.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
3Start the engine.
Is the 4WD switch turned from 2WD to 4WD?Short-circuit
(body short) on
harness of the
4WD switch.
Fault of the 4WD
switch (holding
the closed
condition).
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Push the 4WD
switch to 4WD.

4B1–26
DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
3.Case that the indicator keeps blinking by 2Hz
after aforementioned Solution 2 is carried out.
Step
ActionYe sNo
1Check the air pressure and wear of all tires.
Were problems found?Try Solution 2
after adjust the
air pressure and
replace worn
tires.
Go to Step 2
2
Can the transfer lever be operated from High to 4L or vice versa?
Go to Step 3
Disconnection of
the motor
actuator harness
wiring. Trace this
chart from the
start after repair
or replace.
Faults on the
motor actuator.
Trace this chart
from the start
after replace.
Internal faults of
transfer case.
Disassemble the
transfer case for
check. Trace this
chart from the
start after repair
or replace.
3Pull out the hoses from vacuum actuator and operate 4WD
switch.
Is there negative pressure on either of hoses?
Go to Step 4
Faults on the
transfer position
switch or its
harness. Trace
this chart from
the start after
repair or replace.
Faults on the
VSV main body,
its harness or
vacuuming
system. Trace
the front axle
diagnosis chart in
this section.
After that, trace
this chart from
the start.
4Check the axle switch.
Were problems found?
Internal faults on
axle switch.
Trace this chart
from the start
after replace.
Disconnection on
the axle harness.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Faults on Front
Axle ASM. Trace
the front axle
diagnosis chart in
this section.
After that, trace
this chart from
the start.

4B1–27 DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
Fault on switching from 4WD to 2WD
1.Case that indicator does not blink nor turn out.
Step
ActionYe sNo
1
Does the indicator turn out by ignition off?Go to Step 2
Short circuit of
the indicator
harness.
2
Is the 4WD switch on 2WD position?
Disconnection on
the 4WD switch
harness or
breakdown of the
4WD switch in
open state.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Turn the 4WD
switch to 2WD
position. Trace
this chart from
the start.

4B1–28
DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
2.Case that indicator keeps 2Hz blinking after
aforementioned Solution 3 is carried out.
Step
ActionYe sNo
1Check the air pressure and wear of all tires.
Were problems found?Try Solution 3
after adjust the
air pressure and
replace worn
tires.
Go to Step 2
2
Can the transfer lever be operated from High to 4L or vice versa?
Faults on the
harness wiring of
motor actuator.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Internal faults on
transfer case.
Disassemble the
transfer case for
check. Trace this
chart from the
start after repair
or replace.
Faults on the
motor actuator.
Trace this chart
from the start
after or replace.
Go to Step 3
3Pull out the hoses from vacuum actuator and operate 4WD
switch.
Is there negative pressure on either of hoses?
Go to Step 4
Faults on the
transfer position
switch or its
harness. Trace
this chart from
the start after
repair or replace.
Faults on the
VSV main body,
its harness or
vacuuming
system. Trace
the front axle
diagnosis chart in
this section.
After that, trace
this chart from
the start.
4Check the axle switch.
Were problems found?Internal faults on
axle switch.
Trace this chart
from the start
after replace.
Faults on Front
Axle ASM. Trace
the front axle
diagnosis chart in
this section.
After that, trace
this chart from
the start.
Short circuit
(body short) or
disconnection of
the axle harness.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.

4B1–29 DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
3.Case that indicator’s blinking changes to 4Hz
after aforementioned Solution 4 is carried out.
Step
ActionYe sNo
1
Can the transfer lever be operated from High to 4L or vice versa?
Faults on the
harness wiring of
motor actuator.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Faults on the
motor actuator.
Trace this chart
from the start
after replace.
Internal faults on
transfer case.
Disassemble the
transfer case for
check. Trace this
chart from the
start after repair
or replace.
Faults on the
4WD control unit.
Trace this chart
from the start
after replace.

4B1–30
DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
Front Axle Diagnosis
When the 4WD switch is operated from 4H to 2H,
indicator light does not go out.
Step
ActionYe sNo
1Drive slow 100 — 200m after a few minutes” idling.
Has indicator light gone out?
All right.Go to Step 2
2Jack up front tires.
Does the right side of front wheel rotate when the left side of f r o n t
wheel is rotated?
Go to Step 4Go to Step 3
31. Check the actuator switch.
2. Check the circuit to indicator.
Was a problem found?
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Disassemble axle
ASM for check.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
41. Check the VSV valve.
2. Check the circuit to VSV valve.
Was a problem found?Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Go to Step 5
5I s v a c u u m p i p i n g a l l r i g h t ? ( t a n k , h o s e , & p i p e d a m a g e o r t r o u ble)
Go to Step 6
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
6Does actuator work all right?
Trace this chart
from the start.
Disassemble axle
ASM for check.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.

4B1–31 DRIVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM (SHIFT ON THE FLY)
When the 4WD switch is operated from 2H to 4H,
indicator light is not actuated.
Step
ActionYe sNo
1Drive slow 100 — 200m after a few minutes” idling.
Has indicator light actuated?
All right.Go to Step 2
2Jack up front tires.
Does not the right side of front wheel rotate when the left side of
front wheel is rotated?
Go to Step 4Go to Step 3
31. Check the actuator switch.
2. Check the circuit to indicator.
Was a problem found?
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Disassemble axle
ASM for check.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
41. Check the VSV valve.
2. Check the circuit to VSV valve.
Was a problem found?Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
Go to Step 5
5I s v a c u u m p i p i n g a l l r i g h t ? ( t a n k , h o s e , & p i p e d a m a g e o r t r o u ble)
Go to Step 6
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.
6Does actuator work all right?
Trace this chart
from the start.
Disassemble axle
ASM for check.
Trace this chart
from the start
after repair or
replace.