4X4 HIGH is Engaging Unnecessarily

[imp]

What provision is in place, if any, to prevent the electronic clutch from engaging due to a faulty Wheel Speed Sensor?

My '04 did this today twice, always shortly after starting up. First time, moving very slowly, the vehicle stopped abruptly as though a wheel ran into something, produced a loud thump. First I glanced at the tach, idle looked normal. Gave it a bit of gas, car did not move. Then suddenly, it freed up. No further symptoms until I stopped, parked, shopped, came back, did it again. No ABS code was thrown.

At speed on a curve, this could spell real trouble. Any ideas would be appreciated. I like the 3rd. Gen, but have never really cared for 4X4 AUTO. Put in a manual switch to disconnect clutch? Thanks! imp

 

[TechGuru]

Sounds like you need to do the brown wire mod if getting rid of the auto is what you mainly want to do.

Does yours have just 4x4 auto or actual traction control too? Because I don't think 4x4 engaging would feel like brakes, I think brakes would feel like brakes, and that would be a traction control issue.

 

[imp]

Sounds like you need to do the brown wire mod if getting rid of the auto is what you mainly want to do.

Does yours have just 4x4 auto or actual traction control too? Because I don't think 4x4 engaging would feel like brakes, I think brakes would feel like brakes, and that would be a traction control issue.

@TechGuru
No Traction Control, just 4X4 AUTO, but I was turning a short radius turn out of a parking lot going <5 mph when this happened. Update: Checking for codes again, got "Wheel Speed Sensor Left Front No Signal. Yanked the sensor out, installed new one, code gone, problem gone, have driven ~ 150 miles since.

Now if only I could solve the P0054 "Heated Oxygen Sensor Heater Resistance" code, I'd be a happier man! imp