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86 Subaru GL 4x4 only works in 4-Lo?

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Hi there-

I'm hoping someone can help me.  I've got an 86 Subaru GL Wagon 4x4 (dual range) and everything was fine with it until this a few days ago.  We just got a lot of snow here and I had to put it in 4 Lo to get out of where I was parked.  I got out and then put it in neutral and took it out of 4wheel drive, but when I started to let off the clutch and take off it wouldn't move and it made a whining sound.  I put it back in neutral and put it in 4-Hi... same thing, wouldn't move and made a whining noise.  So I put it back in 4-LO and it worked.  I put it in reverse and backed up and tried putting it in 2 wheel drive again... no dice, wouldn't move. 
Please help!!!

Kinda sounds to me like it may not be engaging fully on the transfer case. Just a guess. I have had something similar happen with my 87 and 84. Drive straight down a non congested roadway and try shifting in motion like you would without a clutch. Those linkages seem to stiffen up sometimes.

Shifting while stopped it may not go in.

 

You don't need to stop -   push clutch in and shift on the move with Subarus. Make sure driving straight as well.

 

You could have hit a false neutral  there is usually a warning sticker close to lever warning of not  to place lever in between these positions

 

Linkages could be out of adjustment / forced / bent.

Edited by subnz

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