Why wont my front wheel drive engage in the winter

Tiny
JPCORMIER
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 134,000 MILES
This winter, when I was trying to pull out my snowmobile trailer, my FWD would not kick in---I have replaced the actuator for the transfer case, and I can hear it click in when I use the 4wd drive switch. As the temps got warmer I tried it again, and it seems to have been working, but I'm not 100% sure---how is the fwd switched on? Could it have anything to do with my front hubs?
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Tuesday, May 29th, 2012 AT 8:58 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the transfer case select switch and the front axle actuator switch
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Tuesday, May 29th, 2012 AT 9:22 PM
Tiny
JPCORMIER
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Where is the front axle actuator switch?
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Tuesday, May 29th, 2012 AT 10:05 PM
Tiny
TITEN201
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  • 1 POST
I’m no expert by any means; I can just tell you what I did to get my FWD running again. I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado, Extended Cab, and Long Bed with 180,000 miles. I bought the truck about one an a half years ago or so, and the FWD didn’t work back then. So, last summer I started working on it. I did just as you have done, and looked it up on the internet. I went to a number of different sights hopping I could find a quick fix and save a lot of money. After reading I found things I could do with the help of youtube videos. I did the following:
1. Looked for a blown fuse. I only found one fuse that said FWD, and it was the one on the inside of the cab. Looked good. So that wasn’t it.
2. Changed the selector switch. You know the push button thing, in the cab. This wasn’t it either.
3. Changed the actuator. Nope not it.
By this time I was not too happy; therefore, I did the unthinkable, I took it to the Chevy Dealer. After all having a FWD truck, but the FWD doesn’t work, just don’t seem right. Kinda got my feelings hurt when they said “$100.00 dollars an hour.” No thanks. So, I did without the FWD last winter. Luckily, it wasn’t a bad winter.
So, before this winter, I was bound and determined to get it working come hell or high water the things gona work. After replacing all the parts last year and it still didn’t work, I knew it had to be electrical.
I found a web site that has all the electrical information for my truck or any vehicle for that matter. It’s called alldata. Com. Granted, I did have to pay like $25.00 for a year, but I did it anyway. And, low an behold, there is a fuse. It’s not labeled FWD, its labeled ATC. (Automatic Transfer Case) It’s under the hood with all the other fuses. So, I don’t know what the actual problem was or how the fuse got blown, all I know is after doing all the steps above and replacing this fuse, it’s working. I just had to try them all, I guess. Good Luck! And thanks everyone that posted on here. IT WORKED. I don’t know which one done it, and don’t care. I got my FWD back.
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Tuesday, December 4th, 2012 AT 11:55 PM
Tiny
DAVID MILLETTE
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  • 1 POST
I have a 98 gmc jimmy I didn't know about the atc fuse. Im not an expert. Changed the fuse and it worked famously thanx
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Sunday, April 9th, 2017 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Hey,

Great addition to this thread! Please feel free to help out on the site whenever it can add information that will help.

Best, Ken
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Wednesday, April 12th, 2017 AT 9:34 AM

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