1989 TLC with 4 wheel drive and auto trans. with 175K miles. To engage or disengage 4WD in this car you just push an alternate-action push button on the dask. A light above the button lights to indicate when 4WD is engaged. A couple of years ago I noticed that once in a while 4WD would not engage or disengage immediately. Sometime I would have to drive for a few miles for the action to happen. This winter the problem got more frequent but it would always eventually indicate the desired action had taken place. This is not a problem with just the indicator, which seems to indicate the actual mode of the transfer case. Now, it seems to be stuck permanently in 4WD. My question relates to how this system works; is it entirely electrical or is vaccume assist involved? My official Repair Manual does help me much. Ideas anyone? WS in AK

Well if the problem arose in the winter I would guess that the lubricant in the driveline is not up to sniff. or that the 4WD system was not utilized enough. As it listed in the owners manual teh 4WD system needed to be utilized for five to seven miles EVERY month to keep it lubricated and in good condition. also ALL driveline lubricants trany, diffs, transfercase should be changed every 30,000 miles. if you are havging trouble in cold weather try full synthetic gear lubes and ATf like Redline. I would get the problem addressed soon. 4WD locked all the time is hell on your driveline, gas millage, and tires!!!