4 wheel drive quit working - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

'89Z71 · 11-27-2003, 03:05 PM

The 4 wheel drive in my girlfriends 94 chevy K1500 quit working 2 days ago. If I shift it into 4Hi and watch out the window at the front tires they do not spin, same thing in 4Low. The 4x4 indicator light on the floor also does not come on. Could the transfer case be shot or could this be as simple as a switch or sensor? Any help will be greatly appreciated.....TIA, DK

72 CustomCamper · 11-27-2003, 03:27 PM

AS for the light not working it could just be a bad bulb. The front wheels not turning could be that Chevy uses a vaccum activator to lock the front axels, with age and heat the vaccum line could be bad or the activator could be shot...

Chuck

ozarkhippie · 11-27-2003, 04:26 PM

Chevy uses a elect sol. to activate the 4wd. Most likely the sol. went bad, its located on the front axle on the right side of the vehicle.

'89Z71 · 11-29-2003, 02:26 AM

Thanx for the help so far. I'll be sure to check that stuff out tomorrow.
I just found it weird that the light for the 4 wheel shifter went out at the same time the 4 wheel drive quit working

ozarkhippie · 11-29-2003, 02:28 AM

I think the light works of the circut of the sol in the front axle. It will only come on after the sol. has locked the front axle in 4x4

'89Z71 · 11-29-2003, 02:34 AM

That makes sense... Why didnt I think of that?

I'll crawl under there tomorrow and check it out. You say the right side of the vehicle.. do you mean the passenger side or drivers? Right side can be different if your sitting in the truck opposed to looking at the front from the outside. I dont try to make things more complicated..... it just comes naturally, lol. Thanx again for the help. DK

ozarkhippie · 11-29-2003, 02:50 AM

pass. side just follow the wires to the diff.

'89Z71 · 11-29-2003, 02:56 AM

Thanx

mkmiller1 · 11-29-2003, 01:18 PM

YEP! I bet the folks are right, I had to replace mine right before I sold it. Get ready because the Chevy parts house get $100 for them.
Matthew

chevypete396 · 11-30-2003, 12:13 AM

You might just check the fuse first. I had the fuse go out on a 95 suburban. Could be why the light went out at the same time... Chevy Pete.

K5KRAZIE · 11-30-2003, 12:26 AM

You should hear or feel a click on the front axle when it engauges, I would check that circuit....

Destructo · 11-30-2003, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mkmiller1
YEP! I bet the folks are right, I had to replace mine right before I sold it. Get ready because the Chevy parts house get $100 for them.
Matthew

HAH, 100 bucks!? In order to replace the vacuum engager on a jeep cherokee mopar wants 250!!! I decided to go with one of the 4x4posilok cable systems simply because their 50 bucks cheap at 200 bucks! Its crazy what they want for a measly little central axle disconnect!

Boy am I glad my 85 K10 doesn't have anything but solid linkage and manual hubs! Sure makes me feel a lot more secure hehe.

'89Z71 · 12-08-2003, 10:42 PM

Well I took a look at it a few days ago and found that the fuse was blown so I replaced it to find that it blew again..... Sounds like an electrical short... Where should I start looking?

K5KRAZIE · 12-08-2003, 11:08 PM

I would disconnect the front axle solinoid and re check the fuse....

'89Z71 · 12-08-2003, 11:11 PM

Would a bad solinoid keep blowing fuses? or could there just be a short in the wires somewhere?

Z-71 · 12-09-2003, 05:15 PM

If the fuse was blown and when you put another one in it it immediately blew that one, your actuator is bad, period. Been there and done it. Just get a new one and screw it into the side of the dif, the only problem is the new one is probly gonna be electric and you have to splice into the wires on the side of the tranny. The one you'll get from the dealer should have the diagram with it and show exactly which wires to splice into. The old one used nitrogen gas i believe to actuate it via a heating element which is why it took a couple of seconds for the 4wd to actually engage. The new ones engage instantly, actually quite nice. Good luck.

'89Z71 · 12-09-2003, 09:35 PM

If I pull the solinoid will fluid come out of the diff. or? I'm hoping that its just a qiuck swap and be back in the snow and mud asap. We just got another 4" of the wet fluffy stuff and 4 wheel drive is nice to have, especially for her.

Z-71 · 12-10-2003, 02:27 PM

It is a quick swap and not enough fluid comes out to worry about, i mean its just a very little bit if any at all. The only thing that is time consuming is spliceing the wires back in but that doesn't take much time either, just disconnect the wires from the old one and unscrew it, screw the new one in and splice wires and your done.

'89Z71 · 12-11-2003, 09:45 PM

Well, looks like I wont be tackling this project mainly because of the below zero temps lately. My Girlfriend brought her truck in today and the shop she brought it to replaced the actuator solinoid thing for $175. I think its reasonalble because now I dont have to freeze my arse off.
Thanks for everyones help, I greatly appreciate it. Thanks, DK

Z-71 · 12-12-2003, 11:41 AM

If you got it done for $175 you did really good. I can't quite remember what i paid for my actuator i think it was like 120, and in your case add $45 labor and you got a good deal.

11-27-2003, 03:05 PM	#1
'89Z71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Star Prairie WI Posts: 392	4 wheel drive quit working The 4 wheel drive in my girlfriends 94 chevy K1500 quit working 2 days ago. If I shift it into 4Hi and watch out the window at the front tires they do not spin, same thing in 4Low. The 4x4 indicator light on the floor also does not come on. Could the transfer case be shot or could this be as simple as a switch or sensor? Any help will be greatly appreciated.....TIA, DK __________________ '89 GMC Sierra Z71 -"Scream'n Demon" * LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES * My Truck

11-27-2003, 03:27 PM	#2
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	AS for the light not working it could just be a bad bulb. The front wheels not turning could be that Chevy uses a vaccum activator to lock the front axels, with age and heat the vaccum line could be bad or the activator could be shot... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

11-27-2003, 04:26 PM	#3
ozarkhippie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Eureka Springs AR Posts: 494	Chevy uses a elect sol. to activate the 4wd. Most likely the sol. went bad, its located on the front axle on the right side of the vehicle. __________________ Buy Sale or Trade 71 3/4 4x4 72 1/2 ton cheyenne 4x4

11-29-2003, 02:26 AM	#4
'89Z71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Star Prairie WI Posts: 392	Thanx for the help so far. I'll be sure to check that stuff out tomorrow. I just found it weird that the light for the 4 wheel shifter went out at the same time the 4 wheel drive quit working __________________ '89 GMC Sierra Z71 -"Scream'n Demon" * LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES * My Truck

11-29-2003, 02:28 AM	#5
ozarkhippie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Eureka Springs AR Posts: 494	I think the light works of the circut of the sol in the front axle. It will only come on after the sol. has locked the front axle in 4x4 __________________ Buy Sale or Trade 71 3/4 4x4 72 1/2 ton cheyenne 4x4

11-29-2003, 02:34 AM	#6
'89Z71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Star Prairie WI Posts: 392	That makes sense... Why didnt I think of that? I'll crawl under there tomorrow and check it out. You say the right side of the vehicle.. do you mean the passenger side or drivers? Right side can be different if your sitting in the truck opposed to looking at the front from the outside. I dont try to make things more complicated..... it just comes naturally, lol. Thanx again for the help. DK __________________ '89 GMC Sierra Z71 -"Scream'n Demon" * LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES * My Truck

11-29-2003, 02:50 AM	#7
ozarkhippie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Eureka Springs AR Posts: 494	pass. side just follow the wires to the diff. __________________ Buy Sale or Trade 71 3/4 4x4 72 1/2 ton cheyenne 4x4

11-29-2003, 02:56 AM	#8
'89Z71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Star Prairie WI Posts: 392	Thanx __________________ '89 GMC Sierra Z71 -"Scream'n Demon" * LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES * My Truck

11-29-2003, 01:18 PM	#9
mkmiller1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Magnolia, Arkansas Posts: 1,091	YEP! I bet the folks are right, I had to replace mine right before I sold it. Get ready because the Chevy parts house get $100 for them. Matthew __________________ GOD is good...All the time! '71 swb custom10 barn find-68K original miles 72 K5 CST rust bucket, but runs and drives 84K miles

11-30-2003, 12:13 AM	#10
chevypete396 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fernley, Nevada, USA Posts: 540	You might just check the fuse first. I had the fuse go out on a 95 suburban. Could be why the light went out at the same time... Chevy Pete. __________________ 1968 Chevy - 3/4 Ton - 4X4 - Longbed - 383ci - TH350 - NP205 Building the motor, painting the engine bay, rewireing everything... (775)-527-1199 / ryanspeterson@msn.com

11-30-2003, 12:26 AM	#11
K5KRAZIE Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wa. State Posts: 352	You should hear or feel a click on the front axle when it engauges, I would check that circuit.... __________________ TRUCKS '72 K5 '06 mega dually

12-08-2003, 10:42 PM	#13
'89Z71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Star Prairie WI Posts: 392	Well I took a look at it a few days ago and found that the fuse was blown so I replaced it to find that it blew again..... Sounds like an electrical short... Where should I start looking? __________________ '89 GMC Sierra Z71 -"Scream'n Demon" * LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES * My Truck

12-08-2003, 11:08 PM	#14
K5KRAZIE Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wa. State Posts: 352	I would disconnect the front axle solinoid and re check the fuse.... __________________ TRUCKS '72 K5 '06 mega dually

12-08-2003, 11:11 PM	#15
'89Z71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Star Prairie WI Posts: 392	Would a bad solinoid keep blowing fuses? or could there just be a short in the wires somewhere? __________________ '89 GMC Sierra Z71 -"Scream'n Demon" * LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES * My Truck

12-09-2003, 05:15 PM	#16
Z-71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Vicksburg,MS Posts: 173	If the fuse was blown and when you put another one in it it immediately blew that one, your actuator is bad, period. Been there and done it. Just get a new one and screw it into the side of the dif, the only problem is the new one is probly gonna be electric and you have to splice into the wires on the side of the tranny. The one you'll get from the dealer should have the diagram with it and show exactly which wires to splice into. The old one used nitrogen gas i believe to actuate it via a heating element which is why it took a couple of seconds for the 4wd to actually engage. The new ones engage instantly, actually quite nice. Good luck. __________________ 07 Chevy Vortec Max LTZ 4dr. Z-71 Stock for now 97 Chevy K-1500 Ext. Cab Step Side Tool box, bed rails HPP III, K/N, Flowmaster 285 Maxxis Mudders " If you can't drive the nail, get a bigger hammer" ( translation- Anything can be done with more power)



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12-09-2003, 09:35 PM	#17
'89Z71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Star Prairie WI Posts: 392	If I pull the solinoid will fluid come out of the diff. or? I'm hoping that its just a qiuck swap and be back in the snow and mud asap. We just got another 4" of the wet fluffy stuff and 4 wheel drive is nice to have, especially for her. __________________ '89 GMC Sierra Z71 -"Scream'n Demon" * LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES * My Truck

12-10-2003, 02:27 PM	#18
Z-71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Vicksburg,MS Posts: 173	It is a quick swap and not enough fluid comes out to worry about, i mean its just a very little bit if any at all. The only thing that is time consuming is spliceing the wires back in but that doesn't take much time either, just disconnect the wires from the old one and unscrew it, screw the new one in and splice wires and your done. __________________ 07 Chevy Vortec Max LTZ 4dr. Z-71 Stock for now 97 Chevy K-1500 Ext. Cab Step Side Tool box, bed rails HPP III, K/N, Flowmaster 285 Maxxis Mudders " If you can't drive the nail, get a bigger hammer" ( translation- Anything can be done with more power)

12-11-2003, 09:45 PM	#19
'89Z71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Star Prairie WI Posts: 392	Well, looks like I wont be tackling this project mainly because of the below zero temps lately. My Girlfriend brought her truck in today and the shop she brought it to replaced the actuator solinoid thing for $175. I think its reasonalble because now I dont have to freeze my arse off. Thanks for everyones help, I greatly appreciate it. Thanks, DK __________________ '89 GMC Sierra Z71 -"Scream'n Demon" * LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES * My Truck

12-12-2003, 11:41 AM	#20
Z-71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Vicksburg,MS Posts: 173	If you got it done for $175 you did really good. I can't quite remember what i paid for my actuator i think it was like 120, and in your case add $45 labor and you got a good deal. __________________ 07 Chevy Vortec Max LTZ 4dr. Z-71 Stock for now 97 Chevy K-1500 Ext. Cab Step Side Tool box, bed rails HPP III, K/N, Flowmaster 285 Maxxis Mudders " If you can't drive the nail, get a bigger hammer" ( translation- Anything can be done with more power)

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