4WD Disengage Issue

[Saltshaker]

Ok so I have a 2004 Pathfinder SE and although I love the thing, it has this issue. My 97 SE never was a problem, I could put the 4WD on and off on the fly without a problem. Now whenever I engage the 4WD system it is basically stuck in 4WD until I put it in reverse a couple feet for it to disengage. I have also noticed that at about 40 MPH while in 4WD, it starts vibrating/shaking a bit so speeds any faster does not sound good. Now, I have already read a few posts about this and I although many just say to "pop it in reverse, problem solved", I just dont think or buy the fact that this is normal unless every '04 SE owner can vouch that this is what they have to do. So before I plan to take it into the shop, I would like to know if there is any ideas as to more of a technical reason why this is happening. I read somewhere here maybe that a piece/fork in the transfer box could be bent or something causing it to not disengage properly. So any ideas on known fixes, please let me know. Thanks.

[Towncivilian]

See page 5-26 of the owner's manual for an auto-mode 4WD shifting chart which may help.

I'm unfamiliar with how it works as I've never driven a 4WD vehicle and my Pathfinder's a 2WD, sorry.

[Saltshaker]

I dont think think there is an auto-mode on the SE, although I could be wrong it does not have a switch since it is an SE, it has the stick shifter for engaging the 4WD.

[Towncivilian]

Oh, for some reason I misread and thought you had auto mode, my bad. Page 5-24 has part-time 4WD shifting info.

Have you ever changed the transfer case fluid?

[Saltshaker]

Nope never have since I got it at 49K. Now has 65K so I may just do that but I think there is more going on with it.

[Towncivilian]

It wouldn't hurt to change the fluid, it won't cost much or take too much of your time. The part time transfer case takes 2.32 quarts of automatic transmission fluid. I would use any synthetic ATF claiming to meet Dexron III spec. It has drain and fill plugs, so the change should be pretty easy. Torque spec for both plugs is 18 - 25 ft/lbs.

This thread on NPORA may clear things up, I don't know.

[Saltshaker]

Yeah I'll probably do that or maybe when it's looked at, the shop may just change it anyway.