Service 4WD light?

Tiny
MHALL68
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 82,000 MILES
I have changed my transfer case control switch and it worked but now it does not. I cannot find a transfer case control module on this vehicle to replace. I looked behind the transfer case control switch and removed the instrument cluster behind the headlight switch and my truck does not have the transfer control module as shown in my Haynes Repair Manual on figure 7.1 page 7C-3. Please help! Do I go out and buy another transfer case control switch?
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Thursday, September 17th, 2015 AT 5:08 PM

47 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
No you get it scanned for codes to see what is wrong first it may not be the tcm. Tcm is behind headlight switch
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Saturday, September 19th, 2015 AT 6:24 AM
Tiny
BLEEM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.2L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 109,000 MILES
I have been having problems with my four wheel drive for over a year I was told by a mechanic who pulled the codes that it needed a new transfer case motor. I changed that and no change. Took it down to local transmission shop about six weeks ago and was told that the transfer case motor was not working (again) and that the front differential activator motor and the activator buttons on the dash were not working.

I finally completed all of the repairs and still no four wheel drive Had a friend clear the codes but not sure if this worked, service four wheel drive message came on again after about ten seconds.

I do not know what else to do!
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
The encoder motor on tcase has a high failure rate. What you will have to do is get it re-scanned for codes and get the code to us. It may be a wiring issue or a connection problem. What you can try in the meantime is to put dielectric grease at encoder motor on tcase and actuator connections on axle. It is about $2.00 at auto parts usually on counter it will say electric something like grease etc.
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLEEM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks, I will give that a try.
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,553 POSTS
Also I have seen where the switch itself has a problem causing the problem you have described.

Best, Ken
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ROD1992
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
4x4 drive push button. Sometimes works, sometimes don, t
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
When it doesn't work, I need you to check to see if there is power to the actuator on the side of the transfer case. If there is power, chances are the actuator needs replaced. If no power, check wiring and harness. Follow wiring back until you find power and the problem. (Could be switch too)

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Joe
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRANNENBOY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
The other day my 4wheel drive buttons quit working and on my dash it says service 4wd. What would cause the buttons to quit working? Please email me back soon as possible. Thanks
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Hi:
There is an electric 4wd actuator on the transfer case that electrically shifts for you. I need you to check to see if it's getting power.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRANNENBOY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I put my truck on my lift and checked the transfer case and I finaly found a wire that was undone and I plugged it back in and it works perfect. Thank you for helping.
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,544 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 14,500 MILES
Service 4x4 light comes on when cold, I tried almoast every thing except that small computer box behind dash panel. Replaced acuator in front axil the encoder in trans fer case, When you first start in morning or when truck sits for a while(it seemes when cab is cold) turn key the lites on dashblink for a second then service 4x4 lite stays on untill it warms up, you drive for a while shut it off then wait fo a while (about 10 min)then it goes out untill you shut it off, of gets cold.I'm a mechanic and it's really making me upset, i've had it on my scanner and I think my snap on scanner is to old, do you think it could be that computer behind the dash cluster? See what you think and please let me know, thanks
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
The first thing we need to do is have it scanned with a scan tool that can read the codes and go from there. You know as well as I do that's where we need to start. We can't just start guess what to fix that's expensive and time consuming.
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JASONHAGLUND
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 122,000 MILES
Scan tool dont pick anything up, I replaced the contol switch on dash hoping it was that lol, none of the lights come on it still , I was driving one day and it came on, do you think its just a bad wire? Or the control module?

Thanks,

Jason Haglund
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You need to find out the service message for the failure. A shop with a scan tool can pull this info for you and let you know where to look for the failure.

Roy
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LECHELER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
4x4 enguages but under load thefront axles disenguage ad service 4x4 light come on. What would cause this
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
It could be a few things. If the light comes on, have the computer scanned to identify trouble codes. That should indicate where the problem is coming from. Also, most parts stores will do it for free.
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BUDDY66
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 112,000 MILES
The truck is stuck in 4wd and the service 4wd light is on. When you push the transfer case selector swicth it flashes and yoiu can hear a clicking noise behind the instrument cluster then you can hear a buzzing noise down at the transfer case and it repeats once more but it never shifts back into 2wd. I have checked the switch and it is good. I also tried pulling the fuses to see if that would do anything. What do I do from here?
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GUNNER1982
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I am currently running another post with the exact same problem, mine would blow the atc fuse under the hood, I replaced the transfer case shift motor and fixed the fuse problem but now mine is also stuck in 4hi, I figured out that if I pulled the atc fuse the front axel actuator would disengage the front axel but when I put the fuse back in it would lock it in again and would not come out of 4hi. When I receive any more info on this problem I will post back.
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VANBOB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,575 MILES
The service 4wd light is on.
What does this mean, and what is it going to take to repair this? Also will I have to rest the light some how?
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DWB812
  • MECHANIC
  • 108 POSTS
It would be best to get someone with a diagnostic reader/programmer compatible with Chevrolet systems (or dealer service center $$) to see if there is a code to work from. It can mean anything from low transfer case lubricant to a variety of electrical problems. I'm not sure about the reset. It may go off after addressing a simple issue (like fluid issues) but require a reader/programmer to reset for electrical issues. I havent worked with many 2000 and newer since I own a 1995 and 1999 and seem to get the 99 and older ones in to work on.
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Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)

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