Transfer case issues

Tiny
JULIOLOP
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 HUMMER H3
  • 3.6L
  • 5 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
My car looks like activates the 4x4 by itself without press the buttons in the central console. Usually when going back and turn or when you try to make a U turn.
the T-Case can activate the actuator if it see any drag in one of the rear wheels?
all my problems came after some problems with the parking brake, activating by itself like two years ago. Last year, my front differential was rebuilt for that reason and it never stops doing it.
what can I do?
Friday, June 7th, 2019 AT 11:55 AM

33 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Who rebuilt your front differential and was there any kind of warranty extended for the quality of the repairs at that time?

Thanks,
Alex
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Monday, June 10th, 2019 AT 1:11 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
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Hello again,

I also forgot to ask you if your Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or "check engine" light is illuminated? If it is could you pull the Direct Trouble Code (DTC) for me. I have included a link below for you if you are unfamiliar with how to do this.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please go through this guide, if necessary, and get back to us with what DTC(s) are present, if any.

Thanks,
Alex
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Monday, June 10th, 2019 AT 1:26 AM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
Hi Alex, thanks for your answer.

I think the AAMCO did the work like a year or more ago, the problem is the work was done in Sarasota and I'm in Miami.
I've visit some shops and they say the problem doesn't look like a differential problem, there is not any noise.
And yes just two or three times of many the Engine Light came up but just for a few minutes.
Can I still pull out any code DTC from the modules without the light?
Today I lost power in the front switches to close the doors. Can it be a fuse?
BR
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Monday, June 10th, 2019 AT 4:02 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
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Hello,

Is there an AAMCO in Sarasota? I believe that they honor each other's work as they are a chain of repair shops. You might want to check into that. If your MIL is not illuminated then there are no active DTCs to pull, so that's a good thing. I am not sure what you mean by the front switches to close your doors? I have rode in many Hummers, of course I was in the U.S. Army when I did, but the all had door handles to them. Does your 's have door handles too? Regardless, I would lean more towards a problem with the ground for the circuit. Fuses are there to protect an electrical circuit from a short to ground, so the circuit is cut before a fire from the infinite current flow happens (Ohm's Law). Please get back to us about the switches and we will go from there.

Thanks,
Alex
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Monday, June 10th, 2019 AT 9:21 AM
Tiny
JULIOLOP
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
The harness were removed from the main switch in the driver's door and everything working fine now after put them back
I have several questions.
1.- The 4x4 can activate itself and automatically?
2.- What if one of the wheels is hardest than normal?
3.- Why for is the speed sensor in the Tcase?
4.- And the decoder motor can be damaged?
Sorry but I'm trying to understand how the system works, before focus in the TCase replacement, is it true the car has to be reprogrammed if I change de TCase?
BR
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Monday, June 10th, 2019 AT 4:06 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,787 POSTS
If the switch goes bad it will self activate. I would replace it first, the encoder will not operate unless the switch activates. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 4:54 PM
Tiny
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  • 18 POSTS
When I place the truck in neutral and activate the switches, everything looks normal, lights change and everything, you can hear the transfer case changing and making the same sound
when the failure occurs the light 4WD unlocked remain lit.
Why do you suspect of the switch?
I've been reading a lot about transfer case and everything related lately,
the problem looks to me below, the 4WD engage without command and according to what I read, it can be caused for a defective VSS, or defective encoder, or definitely a bad TCase (folk) or other thing inside.
I also suspected the TCC module but I have inclination to think if the module is defective the lights should be changing, don't you think?
This is my plan.
1.- I will change the sensor,
2.- I will change the encoder if nothing happen
3.- I will have face the TCase replacement
one last question, any of these changes will require any programming?
I will keep you posted.
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
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Hello again,

Okay, here is everything that there is to know about your vehicle's Transfer Case. The best part about the information that I included in the diagrams down below for you, is that this information isn't hype or speculation, but a description of how the component and related sub components work and work together from the vehicle manufacturer themselves. No guessing or misinformation here. Please go through this information and get back to us with what you find out.

Thanks,
Alex
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 12:30 AM
Tiny
JULIOLOP
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  • 18 POSTS
Sure, I have this complete manual.
Thanks
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 3:21 AM
Tiny
JULIOLOP
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
I have a risen question.
In case that I need to replace the encoder motor, what if it is in a different position than the T-Case?
Can I connect it to the harness and start on the truck without to hook it up to the T-Case?
BR
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,787 POSTS
Yes, you can match the encoder motor position before installing it. That way when installed you can use the switch to check it to the desired position.
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Friday, June 14th, 2019 AT 11:19 AM
Tiny
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  • 18 POSTS
Two questions
Do I have to drain the TCase before the encoder replacement?
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Friday, June 14th, 2019 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
JULIOLOP
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
When I switch from 4WD to 4WDHi lock I can’t hear anything being in neutral and with the door open
Going back to 4WD I do can listen a little noise
When I go for and back to 4WD Lo lock I can listen a bigger noise
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Friday, June 14th, 2019 AT 12:53 PM
Tiny
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  • 18 POSTS
The 4x4 activates by itself if one of your rear wheels is getting hard to rotate than the other one?
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Monday, June 17th, 2019 AT 8:31 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Sorry for the slow response busy weekend. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on, that would be great. You can upload it here with your response.
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Monday, June 17th, 2019 AT 10:51 AM
Tiny
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I've not proceed because I was told after you replace the encoder motor or the transfer case you need to reprogram the modules. Is that true?
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Tuesday, June 25th, 2019 AT 7:48 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,787 POSTS
I don't think so. Here are the instructions on how to replace the encoder I don't see any relearn notes. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, June 25th, 2019 AT 11:54 AM
Tiny
JULIOLOP
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
Okay, transfer case down, open and verified defective plastic fork (replaced).
My concern now is how to put back the piece that move the fork, any suggestion or it is easy?
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Friday, July 19th, 2019 AT 5:16 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Okay, In the diagrams down below I have included the entire directions from the vehicle manufacturer for the assembly of your vehicle's transfer case. Please go through this guide and get back to us with how everything goes reassembling it.

Thanks,
Alex
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Friday, July 19th, 2019 AT 6:41 AM
Tiny
JULIOLOP
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
Alex, thanks for your prompt answer.
Do you have all this in just one PDF?
Now I have several doubts.
I can see nothing related to the shaft I asked, the one that is moved by the encoder, and in the planetary I only have marks in two gears, is it okay?
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Friday, July 19th, 2019 AT 9:01 AM

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