Re:2001 Jimny 4WD won't stay engaged

Firstly i would look for damage on the switch wiring/connection
check switch with buzzer function on a meter
If you're getting constant connection from switch then move to
4x4 controller box under dashboard above accelerator pedal looking for loose/bad connections

Control box

Does sound like the switch, it is on the back of the transfer above and to the left of the propshaft, attached where the selector shaft moves in and out.

It has a small loose ballbearing in the hole, which drops into a dent in the selector only in 4wd, so it should switch on if the shaft moves at all. If the switch isn't screwed in fully it won't switch on.

Jackonlyjack asked about 4wd low, as if the transfer box moves, or there is a body lift fitted, the lever doesn't move far enough to fully engage 4wd low, but it doesn't sound like this is the problem, as 4wd high is going in, and the detent is in the transfer box.

If maintaining pressure on the lever is keeping it on, I'd be looking for damaged wiring, it shouldn't matter where the selector shaft is, as long as it isn't fully in 2wd that switch should be on, pressing on the lever moves the transfer box slightly which may pull on the wires.


It isn't my old x reg green one is it? I fitted a 2wd low switch to that next to the handbrake, I took the switch out and fitted a blanking plug in the hole, the wire from the 4wd switch is cut inside the car by the handbrake, and rejoined when I took the switch out.

Great - thanks a lot for the info. I'm hoping to have a proper look at this tomorrow. Will report back!

It's the time before it goes out 15 seconds?

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The timing is pretty random - sometimes the light will stay on for a few seconds, others it will go out as soon as I let go of the lever.