If the 4WD drive is not working in Your Kia Sorento it could be caused by several different issues. The most common cause in these vehicles is due to a front differential actuator pump. The pump forces air into the differential which has a diaphragm inside that engages before will drive. When the pump fails it cannot build up enough pressure to move the diaphragm and the 4WD drive will not engage. The pump is located on the front driver's side of the engine compartment. You can disconnect the airline on the side of the pump and connect a pressure gauge to see if it is providing enough pressure to engage the 4wd. It should be between five and seven PSI. Anything below this You will have to replace the pump in order to get the 4WD to work again.
Pam L
July 30, 2020
The Kia Sorento 4x4 not working can be caused by many problems such as a faulty wiring harness, damaged transfer case actuator, or defective 4x4 shaft relay.
Awd was not working replaced the transfer case on the transmission seemed like it was working now it’s not. Any more advice
Tony B
November 1, 2023
Just had my frt diff panel off to check the gears ,all fine it was a split pipe on the top which engaged the 4wd acuator cut an inch off all good 👍
Jim P
March 11, 2022
I took my Kia in, they said I had a faulty pump, so I went to check the pressure and found I had a valve cover gasket that was leaking, the intake to the pump was saturated with oil so now I am cleaning it out as well as I can. My question is, does anyone have a rebuild diagram in case I decide to take it apart?
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