Four wheel drive not working

Tiny
SKIMAN911
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Figures its on the top of the transfer case. Nothing is easy, Thanks tim
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,128 POSTS
Do you have an electric shift 4wd or manual?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WILDBILL20007
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1992 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 235,000 MILES
I have a 1992 chevy silverado k1500 and the 4 wheel drive works, but sometimes it doesn't engage. I didn't know if this could be an electrical problem, because it is intermitent.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
There is a front differential actuator that is most likely failing. 95 percent of the time I find that this actuator is the problem with this 4wd not working. You can check it by putting it in 4wd and check the 2 wire connector with a test light, if it lights when you go across the 2 wires with the test light then you know for sure that its bad. Get back to me if you need further assistance
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STREETSRFER1022
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1992 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
Transmission problem
1992 Chevy Silverado V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 199k miles

it will not engage into 4wd. I have checked the fuse and it was popped. I replace it and it pops again. I then put a larger fuse in and that pops. What could this be?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
QUAGMIRE86
  • MECHANIC
  • 98 POSTS
Check the wiring at the front axle electric servo/solenoid. If you have a short-circuit, it will snap the fuse. Don't keep "Upping" the fuse rating as you have tried. You will melt the wire and may cause a fire.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PVIC
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1992 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 240,000 MILES
4x4 not working
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
QUAGMIRE86
  • MECHANIC
  • 98 POSTS
We would be happy to help you out, so it would be more helpful if you could elaborate on your situation. Specifically, the details of what is not working (what does it do and/or what does it not do). What have you inspected so far and if there are any noises associated with your situation.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PVIC
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The front axle do not engage, actuator change two years ago, transfert case engage in 4x4 low but not front axle.
Suspect a vacuum leak or bad actuator or bad 4x4 switch

since the truck is 17 years old, a vacuum leak is the most logical problem

should I check for something else?

Thanks.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MB12868
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1990 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 115,000 MILES
1990 K3500 Dually, manual tranny. 4wd on floor.

4wd is not engaging while in 4HI. I can sometimes get it to engage while in 4LO. I was able to get in 4wd yesterday, but felt like it was not fully engaged.

Would this be an actuator problem or a weak one?

12/9/2009 ---
ordered a posi-lok for the truck to truly eliminate the actuator issue.

I also have read this could also be tied to an ABS issue, looking for feedback on this. I will try to pull the ABS fuse to see, need to wait for the blizzard here to pass.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,128 POSTS
To me, it sounds like an actuator problem. If the problem was related to other areas, you wouldn't be able to get it in 4lo. Remove the actuator to check and see if it is actually functioning. Also, check power from the switch. I have seen switches that will light a test light, but when placed under a load, the stop working.

Let me know what you find.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
QUAGMIRE86
  • MECHANIC
  • 98 POSTS
Also, the shift fork (attaches to actuator) may be worn down enough to cause intermitent engagement or no engagement at all. I had a similar problem to yours on a Blazer. 4wd was ok until I turned the wheels right or left, then it would "Pop" out of 4wd. The problem was a worn shift fork in the front axle. Fairly easy fix, just have to split the front output shaft to get at the shift fork.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MB12868
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Well, installed the posi-lok. Pretty easy to do.

It didn't fix my issue, but I know for sure that it is not the actuator. The passenger side axle is floating( I can push it in and out a couple inches). Any ideas? I am going to have to drop the front diff, but will have to wait when there is not a blizzard out again today.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KMCCHEF
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I don't know if it is the same on the K3500 one ton, but I had a problem with my 4 wheel drive, and the guy said it was a thing called the Donkey D**k. It might be what you are calling the actuator or not, but when he installed a new one on mine I never had a problem again.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MB12868
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Well, the Axel floating was the issue. The passenger side axle was not attached according to the mechanic (yes, after I had to physically show him as he didn't find any issues). There is a bolt and washers that hold the Axle in and that had broken. It works again and there have not had any issues with this Problem.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUFFRYDERRD90
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1990 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 237,000 MILES
Hi, I recently bought a 90 silverado 1500 went to enguage it in 4x4 and wont go into 4x4. The transfer case is fine its been checked, I jacked the front end up and enguaged it into 4x4 and was able to turn both wheels freely. I checked all the fuses and didnt see any that was bad. If you could help me out that would be great.
Thanks, Nick
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PEAR69
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,482 POSTS
Does it have a push button 4-wheel activator switch or do you have a 4 wheel shifter on the floor?
Do you have auto-locking hubs or manual hubs?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUFFRYDERRD90
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It has automatic locking hubs and the 4x4 is on the floor
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PEAR69
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,482 POSTS
Your transfer case has a switch on it. There is a brown wire and a light blue wire on this switch. Make sure this switch is good. The lt. Blue wire activates the front axle solenoid -- it also activates the transfer case relay. Make sure this wire is good. The brown wire goes to the front axle switch and the convenience center. Make sure the front axle switch is good.
If you jump out this switch it may be easier to determine if the transfer case switch itself is bad.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PEAR69
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,482 POSTS
The brown wire is the power from the convienece center (or fuse block)
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)

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