4 Wheel Drive doesn't Work?

Tiny
ADAM_WORLEY06
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
I engaged it to 4 wheel drive, and I felt it engage. But when I was on ice, the front wheels didn't spin. The light does not come on even when it is engaged. This is my first 4x4 and I don't know much about it. Any ideas what I need to make it work? Thanks.
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 AT 7:44 AM

28 Replies

Tiny
SCOTTY DEE
  • MECHANIC
  • 592 POSTS
Check AC/HTR fuse first. Check for feed wire problem at transfer case switch, possible open. Also inspect wires to actuator, and inspect actuator for damage.

See the guide below on testing wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Wiring diagram for your 4wd system is attached below
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 AT 2:47 PM
Tiny
CLOPEZ78
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 240,000 MILES
After replacing both CV axles 4 wheel drive not engaging even after replacing actuator.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
Hi,

First, check the 4wd fuse to make sure it is good. In addition to just checking the fuse, make sure there is power to it. If that is good, there is a black wire coming from the actuator on the axle. Make sure it has continuity to ground.

I attached a pic below of the fuse and a portion of the wiring schematic. Here is a link you may find helpful when testing for power at the fuse:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Let me know. Also, if the fuse is good, I need to know if the 4wd light is turning on and if there is power to the actuator.

Take care,
Joe
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CLOPEZ78
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for your response.I checked the fuses everything is work the light doesn't come for the 4 wheel drive I bought a new actuator it seems to be working fine.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
Do you mean the actuator is working fine or everything is working fine?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CLOPEZ78
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes actuator is working fine and fuse is good, but it still does not engage. I don't what is going on, it is weird it was working fine be for I replace the CV axles.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
Hi,

Check to see if there is power to the front axle solenoid switch. I attached a pic for you. You should have 12v to blue wire.

Let me know.
Joe
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MAINTENANCE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
Truck had sat all summer and the front wheels had frozen in the dirt, tried breaking it free in four wheel drive, heard a bang and rear wheels spun but not the front. I got it pulled out with a tractor, and now four wheel drive does not work in 4H or 4L, works and drives fine in 2H. Also the 4x4 indicator light on the floor comes on when I shift into 4x4, but only have rear wheel drive.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like something broke. Can you confirm the front driveshaft turns? Here is an exploded view of the transfer case. Check the encoder it might not be working right. If everything looks okay here is how you rebuild the transfer case the instruction and diagrams are below. 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, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MAINTENANCE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Front drive shaft does turn, so thinking something in the front differential let go.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
Can you remove the driveshaft to see if the transfer case still works? Here is a guide to help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-remove-a-drive-shaft

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MAINTENANCE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The truck drives okay. I can shift transfer case into 4 lo and all other ranges just fine, but only have two wheel drive. When I shift to 4 lo the truck drives in low gear just fine.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
Yep, it sounds like something let go inside the transfer case, it will need to be removed and disassembled. Use the diagrams above to help take it apart to see what happened. Please upload pictures of the damaged parts once you get it apart. We are interested to see what it is.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BARNEY SMITH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 234,000 MILES
Replaced actuator and shifter switch will now go in 4 low but not 4 high. Have power on 4 low wire but not on four high at the shifter switch.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
Hi,

I attached a portion of the wiring schematic. Are you getting power to the dark blue wire and not the light blue?

Have you checked the switch itself? If you look at pics 2 and 3, I provided the schematic for the system. If you look, power is provided via a brown wire to the transfer case switch. From there, low or high 4wd is determined. If low works, then we know power is available to the switch. If it isn't changing out of 4 low, confirm the fuse is good (indicated in pic) and power is to the switch. If you have power and 4low works properly when in 4wd, the I suspect the switch is bad.

Here are a few links you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BOBBY123456789
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 225,000 MILES
My four wheel drive will not engage what could be problem?
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
Check to see if there is power to the 4wd actuator on the transfer case (if it is the electric shift). If it has the lever on the floor, check the linkage to the transfer case. If it is good, tight, and properly adjusted, check to make sure the actuator on the front axle is working. There is an updated actuator for these, the originals had issues

See diagram below
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JCHEECH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 2.5L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
4 wheel drive will not engage now, when I try, to engage only one wheel spins. My 4 wheel drive light does not come on when I shift it into 4 wheel drive.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Check both switches in pic for power they are both on front axle. But normally only one wheel spins anyhow unless it's positraction
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SCHUELERAUTOSERVICE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Also make sure your front propellor shaft spins and I would check the front actuator pin the slides to engage front shaft almost directly under the engine and may have to remove to see if its seized. Check for power there first.
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Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)

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