4 wheel drive not working

Tiny
CAPTAINP
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 204,000 MILES
4 wheel indicator switch lights turns on then off quickly. Has now left me in 4 wheel.I am not able to take it back out. All three fuses are good. Replaced switch and TCCM so far no changes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Saturday, December 14th, 2019 AT 2:58 PM

34 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

It sounds like you might be having an issue with the front differential actuator. It's actually a common problem in these obs (old body style)trucks. I've attached picture steps below with location and instructions. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Saturday, December 14th, 2019 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
CAPTAINP
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Good morning, thanks for your help. I replaced the actuator this morning, but it still does not work. 4 wheel instrument lights go on then off and stay off. Cannot be switched. Locked in 4 wheel. Thanks
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Monday, December 16th, 2019 AT 12:36 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Quick question then. Were you receiving a diagnostic code regarding C0550 or U1026 when this symptom started? Let me know and we'll go from there. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 6:25 AM
Tiny
CAPTAINP
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks For the help I decided to change the transfer case shift motor and everything is working perfect. Thanks again
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 6:34 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Awesome!
Glad you got the problem solved. Please use us again in the future for any other automotive questions. Happy Holidays and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 7:16 AM
Tiny
MKLEIN3212
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
I have a 8 cylinder 7.4L suburban. A friend had vehicle in drive but not moving and engaged 4wd. What kinds of problems could result from doing this? The shop said I needed rear axle housing 3/4 ton w/9.5" ring gear, transmission, and a transfer case to be replaced with used parts. I am wondering what could have occurred by just pressing the 4wd button while the vehicle was not moving but in drive. Please let me know if this sounds right.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
It'll probably be fix when they replace the transfer and transmission-
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MKLEIN3212
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Is it possible to cause those types of damage just by attempting to engage 4wd while in drive at a standstill?
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be a problem with the transfer case switch
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MKLEIN3212
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Would the transfer case switch being bad cause damages to the rear axle housing ring gear and transmission?
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
No it won't, just for the 2wd/4wd engagement
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RAYLAB
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
Drive Train Axles Bearings problem
1998 Chevy Suburban V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 200k+ miles

When put in 4wD we get a lot of clunking from the front end. Could this be the Transfer case actuator not engaging completely?
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
It could be the actuator. Can you tell if the sound is coming from the transfercase area or the front axle area. If it is the axle, chances are the problem is there and not the actuator.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RAYLAB
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I think it is coming from the front axle, almost seem like the passenger side but hard to tell. Feels like someone is smacking the axle or hubs with a 5 lb mallet. Are the locking (automatic) hubs in this vehicle something that can be disassembled and lubed? I had an Isuzu Trooper II w/semi-auto hubs that had to be disassembled and lubed with ATF once a year or they would keep popping out and dis-engaging as you traveled down the road. I was going to price a new solenoid but I hate the shotgun approach. I had a GMC Sierra p/u that had a solenoid that mounted on the front axle assy, this one appears to be on the side of the transfer, right? My ALLDATADIY account does not show good breakdowns of the 4Wd system.

Thanks again.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RAYLAB
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Please note that this is a1999 NOT a 1998 as originally posted. My apologies.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SNKPOOL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 173,000 MILES
1997 Chev suburban won't go into 4 wheel drive. I have replaced actuator and transfer case switch, but it still won't work. I do have power at both actuator and switch, and the fuse is fine. What do I try next?
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
Remove the actuator and see if it will work out of the transfercase. If you have power to it, either something in the transfer case is bad or the actuator is on a bind of some sort when you install it.

Let me know what you find.
Joe
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SNKPOOL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Okay, will try that in the morning. What about the front axle engagement switch? Know anything about that? All three wires going into it are frayed. I took it out, and checked for power, and it does receive power when I place the 'burb into 4 wheel drive.

Seems to be a rare part, but have found a couple of places online that have it.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,014 POSTS
That could be the issue too. Even if the transfer case is shifting properly, if the axle doesn't engage, you won't have 4wd. Are you getting 12v to it?
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HUNTER57
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
My 4 wheel drive on my 1997 chevy suburban will not engage the light flashes but it doesn't engage at all. What is the problem and how can I fix it myself. Thank you.
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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM (Merged)

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