Questions and Answers

Passport 4WD Q. Hi. My question is regarding the 4 wheel drive on my 1994 Honda Passport. On the 4WD shift knob, it has 2H, 4L, and 4H. Recently, I put it in 4WD 4H, drove about 50 mph for about 20 miles, then returned it back to 2WD. After that almost immediately, it started to smell like burning oil.

I took the truck to get the differential fluid drained and replaced. But the only thing that fixed was the burning oil smell. Now when I drive the truck, if I break or gas too hard it will pop out of 2H (on the 4WD shifter) and grind until I either put the truck in neutral or shift the 4WD into 4L.

When I try to shift it back into 2H, it won't catch, it will just grind as if not in gear. I have to keep trying to get the 2H to catch, but it got harder and harder until eventually, it won't even stay in 2H anymore. Now it just grinds as if no 2H even exists. It does the same on 4H. The only way the truck will drive is if you put it in 4L. But it still doesn't seem to run right. I'm afraid I might damage the entire thing if I keep it in 4L and just drive with the 4WD power on.

What do I need to do get this problem fixed? Am I just missing a step in the sequence of putting-it-in/taking-it-out of 4WD? Or do I need to replace something, and how much will it cost?

Your help is GREATLY appreciated.
M Galvez

A. If you drove it in 4WD for 20 miles on dry road at 50 mph, then the chances are you wiped out the transfer case. If it is an automatic transmission, the transfer case can be replaced. If it is a manual transmission, the transfer case is part of the transmission.

4WD should only be driven under conditions that call for 4WD, snow, ice or mud. If driven for extended periods on dry road, the case will bind up and self-destruct.

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