I have a 2000 Montero Sport 4wd. It drives nice and quit until I put it in 4wd. Then there is a low grinding noise, sounding like it comes from right under the 4wd lever. But I'm not sure if the noise are only transfering from the front axle. It has no noise in 2wd. Some times the 4WD lamp flash at key on, but it turns off as soon as i start the engine. Do you guys have some information to what could be the cause of this noise?

I think I have ruled out the front axle, as it gets louder when put in 4L. In 4H it will not be as loud before I hit 30MPH. It does get less noisy when I lett of the gas pedal.

Could it just be normal noise transfering through the shift lever?