Parking in 4-low

[Glen4X4]

I don't know if this is really a problem or not seeings how I'm still not fully adjusted to the automatic tranny, but when if/when I put the 96 in (P) Park when it's engaged in 4low it seems a little tight putting in, it don't seem as smooth like it would be in 4hi. I park my 92 in 4low bout anytime. I like puttin the 96 in 4low to make sure the 4X4 is going to work when the snow is going to hit since it dont have the fulltime 4hi option (and surely don't want to leave my BWM on all night, don't need a drained battery), so is this normal for an automatic to be kinda tight maybe a little tough putting it in (P) when its in 4low?

Thanks guys for the info.

 

[Willard]

I don't remember what mine is like, but don't worry about it. There are a lot more stresses on everything in 4low and so it could make it harder to put into park.

 

[KPT]

You shouldn't ever need 4 Low on pavement unless the **** has really hit the fan.

You do realize 4 auto is better for your drivetrain on pavement than 4 high?

The BWM NEVER needs to be left on if you aren't using 4x4. It just powers the clutch in the transfer case.

I can't comment on the transmission shifting though, my ex is a stick.

 

[Glen4X4]

I live in the country, I drive on a stone driveway and park in the yard, but the reason I put it in 4low is because I don't wanna have to worry bout the transfercase suddenly not wanting to engage when i may need it the most, and I do usually have it in 4Auto in most driving conditions except off-roading of course

 

[DeRocha]

...I do usually have it in 4low in most driving conditions except off-roading of course

Don't you mean 4High? 4x4low is very low and you can't go more than 25-30mph without entering the red line on the tach.

 

[IZwack]

Don't you mean 4High? 4x4low is very low and you can't go more than 25-30mph without entering the red line on the tach.

x2 -- the vehicle probably does not need to be in 4LO, even in regular snow.

And you can leave the BWM on overnight. The BWM only allows you to disconnect 4wd, not to engage it. You can never engage 4wd manually with the BWM and so leaving it overnight is no problem because the 4wd system is disabled while the out.

 

[Glen4X4]

Yeah, I had ment 4Auto(High), but I'm saying I put in 4low just because I don't want to have to worry bout the transfercase not shifting in 4X4, I myself haven't known of these 2nd gens having that trouble like the first gens of shiftmotors being "sticky" and it does seem that the BWM does keep it in 4X4 because a couple weeks ago after I did the BWM so I could have fulltime 4X4 when needed, I had climbed up an embankment put it in (P) and shut it off, then realized I left the ciggarette lighter BWM still plugged I unplugged it and the truck moved a little right after I unplugged it.

 

[gijoecam]

x2 -- the vehicle probably does not need to be in 4LO, even in regular snow.

And you can leave the BWM on overnight. The BWM only allows you to disconnect 4wd, not to engage it. You can never engage 4wd manually with the BWM and so leaving it overnight is no problem because the 4wd system is disabled while the out.

IZ,

Please note he has a 96. The BWM on a 95 or 96 can be used to provide the vehicle with 4high. It's sort of the 'anti-BWM... instead of cutting power to the transfer case clutch coil, they use the same brown wire (wired *slightly* different) to send power to the clutch, locking it in 4high. People around here have been doing it for a couple years with good success.

Getting back to the original questions, there are two issues: One being the switching when in park, and one being doing it in 4low. There should be no difference in parking the vehicle in 4high versus 4low. The parking pawl is in the transmission, not the transfer case, and the transmission output shaft will have less forces on it when it's in low range. I suspect the perception is that it may be tougher, but it really shouldn't be any different at the column.

The other issue mentioned, with using 4 low to park to 'make sure it works' is irrelevant. The transfer case shift motor and, therefore, the low range gear set, have nothing to do with transfer case lockup in a 44-05 transfer case. Lockup is handled strictly by the transfer case clutch coil... Low range doesn't automatically lock the case. If the BWM switch is off, you'll be in 2wd low (the other advantage of the BWM).

As for why it moved: My guess is that there happened to be more pressure on the front wheels than the rear when you put it in park. Then, when you cut the power to the transfer case, it simply allowed the force to get shifted to the rear axle... nothing to worry about.

-Joe