Please let me know of this thread is in the wrong location.

I have a 2001 Montero Sport 3.0L with about 200,000 miles.
Recently, my daughter complained of very poor mileage (240mi per tank) and I noticed the front tires with excessive wear (vs the rear).
When I drove it, I noticed the 4WD indicator will flash on/off. Now, this car hasn't had working 4WD for a decade. I'm more concerned that it's somehow engaged in 4H, causing the mileage and tire wear problems. When I try to shift it between 2H and 4H, I can't seem to get it to engage forward in 4H, or even 4L. I just drops backwards.

Is there some way to see if it's REALLY in 2H?
thx.

 

Yep.......If you dont have any handy snow around, try driving up on wet grass, better with a decent slope. Have someone outside to watch the front tires, and you put it in Drive and hit the gas real hard......do the front wheels spin? If so, its in 4x4.

 

You can also jack up one of the front tires. If you're able to spin it while 3 other tires are on the ground - you're in 2H, if not - you're at minimum in 4H mode