1997 Chevy Truck Front differential actuator

ROWTIEAR

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
160 MILES

I have an older style 2 pin actuator, my question is how do you bench test one of these.
I tried to power it up manually and nothing happened.
I reversed the polarity and nothing happened.
I thought that it was run by an electric worm type gear and reversing the polarity would change the direction of the plunger.
After the 4th one I tested I realized this isn't working.
I read something on another website about there being a heater of some sort that works the actuator.
Is that how they work?
If so how do you test them.

1 Reply

ROWTIEAR

MEMBER
91 POSTS

I figured it out,
To bench test the actuator all you have to do is supply it with a power and a ground.
The actuator extends when power is supplied and retracts when power is removed.
The reason I had so much trouble with this is the fact that I bought two aftermarket actuators from two different suppliers and got two duds.
I also had an old one on the shelf plus the one that was originally in the truck.
None of them worked! Aargh!
Sometimes trying to save a buck in the aftermarket can cause a lot of aggravation.
Lesson learned!