97 expedition - 4x4 does not engage

first time used 4WD on this car?????
what transfer case is there,? key fact #1 not told
JF1A<<< my guess this.
NOT TOLD YOU WHAT THE TIRES ARE ROLLING ON
PAVEMENT, DIRT, OFF-ROAD.. ICE, SNOW OR WHAT.
THE CAR IS NOT AWD
THE CAR IS NOT FULL TIME 4WD
IT IS PART TIME 4WD.
THE USERS MANUAL TOLD YOU THIS


Four?wheeldrive models-Toyota rec-
ommends not using four?wheel drive on
dry hard?surfaced roads, because four?
wheel driving wil l cause unnecessary
noise and wear,and poor fuel econo-
my.

WHAT HAPPENS IS DAMAGE TO THE TRANSER CASE MAIN CHAIN OR FAR FAR WORSE.
or
google
"what part time 4 wheel drive means."
it means there is no center Differential to have AWD

SAME GUIDE SAID

Four?wheel DriveSystemWarning
Buzzer(four?wheel drive models)
This buzzer reminds you that the transfer
mode is not selected correctly.
If the buzzer sounds when you shift the
transfer from "2 WD" to "4H", "4L" to "4H",
"4H"to "4L",or"4L"to "2WD"mode,follow the instructions in"Four?wheel drive
system"on page 239 in Section 1?7.

TO EXIT 4WD, IF SELECTED INCORRECTLY ON DRY PAVEMENT.
GET 1 TIRE OF THE TRUCK ON LOSE DIRT ,GRAVEL ,GRASS. AND SHIFT TO 2WD.
AND STAY OUT OF 4WD UNTIL LEARN HOW PART TIME WORKS.,

4WD IS FOR
DIRT
FOR ICED OVER WHAT EVER.
FOR PACKED SNOW OR DRIFTS.

NOT FOR DRY PAVEMENT AT ALL. OR EVEN WET

changing your denali awd to reg is more about the electronics than the trans swap out --you ll need the harness --switches and reprogram/flash the computers --mounts--cross members and other brackets and such ----oin one of the many forums like tahoe--yukon etc this is one of a few on the subject --------https://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/gm-drivetrain-suspension-22/denali-awd-conversion-4wd-482852/--

Using the shorter gear leaver in the samurai, the gear choices are arranged in a simple U fashion. They are arranged in sequence. At left top, bottom, right middle and right top you have 2 high(2H), 4 hight (4H), neutral(N) and 4 low (4L).
2H- Engages rear wheel drive only.
4H- Engages all wheels in 4X4 mode.
N- Disengages all wheels (if you gonna tow your vehicle)
4L- Engages all wheels in 4X4 mode with 50% more torque but you cut your top speed by an equal amount.
If you have the OEM gear knob the diagram of the layout of the transfer box should be imprinted. 2 high should be used on dry and mildly wet paved roads. Using 4L or 4H in these conditions may result in damage to your transfer box. You may use 4L or 4H in any other road conditions.

the samurai doesn't have 2L it has 2H.
there are 4 modes on the transfercase. 2H, 4H, N and 4L.
2H engages the rear wheels only while 4H and 4L engages all 4 wheels. N disengages all 4 wheels, useful for flat towing.

Yes the light should be on when it is in 4 wheel drive, either 4h or 4l, to engage it into 4h you need to lock the hubs then select 4h while moving. Now if u want to put it into 4L you need to first stop the truck, put it into neutral and then select 4L

Most likely the controller module is bad, or the actuator for the front axle has gone bad.

Btw, I’m available to help over the phone in case u need at https://www.6ya.com/expert/sean_54c3a3dc48a7773c

no you have it reversed....if the light is on its in awd if its off its not

Hi,
When you switch it from 2H to 4H you can push the switch at any speed but if you switch to 4L the car must be stop and the shifter is in neutral position.
Anyway here is my suggestion.... I would check the switch it self 1st for proper contact, also check the owners manual if there is a fuse for 4X4.
The worse scenario is the 4X4 computer is dead and if you have problem with transfer case you would notice a whining noise.

change the 2 solenoids on the firewall on the passenger side. they contol the vacum to the acuator.

Most of the time this problem is caused by the 4 wheel drive switch. Usually you can just replace the switch and that will fix the problem. I have replaced many of those switches and that has fixed the problem.