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Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 4x4 Questions

239 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 1:47 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, GMC Sierra 2500, GMC Sierra 3500, Truck

#172 of 239 4x4 basics by ognend Mar 31, 2009 (3:02 pm)
Hello,   I recently purchased a 2500 HD Duramax Diesel with Allison transmission - it also came with 4x4 and has around 60K miles. The only reason I got this truck was to haul my horses. However, the darn thing did not come with an owner's manual. I was playing with the 4x4 switch the other day and I have 4Hi and 4Lo and 2H. I normally drive in 2H and I can also switch the truck to 4Hi. When I try to switch to 4Lo, the light just blinks but it eventually comes back to 2H. Having no previous experience with 4x4 vehicles, this does not sound right to me. Can anyone explain what the 4Hi/Lo are supposed to mean and what is the expected effect of pressing these buttons? (sorry for the dumb questions)   In addition, when I switch to 4Hi, and do sharp, slow turns in gravel, the tires move very slowly and feel as if they are "skipping" in the turn (for lack of better explanation). Should 4x4 feel any different than 2wd on regular gravel (for example)?   Thanks for any help! Ognen Replies to this message: lsabourin (Jun 27, 2009 12:11 pm)
#173 of 239 Re: 2004 GMC sierra 1500 4x4 transfer-case problem [messerbn] by alan1818 Mar 31, 2009 (8:13 pm)
Replying to: messerbn (Mar 22, 2009 8:00 am) Well, I got a replacement front differential actuator, and it appears to have solved the problem. The front wheels now engage. I had to splice in the old harness, as the replacement had a different configuration, but otherwise a simple and quick fix.
#174 of 239 Trouble with 4wheel drive by porters12 Apr 08, 2009 (5:18 pm)
I have a 2007 Silverado and recently i attempted to put it in reverse and after moving about 50 ft is stopping, like it was in neutral. The service 4 wheel drive indicator light came on. Switch was on Auto. I tried moving forward and in reverse several times with the same result. When I switched to 2wd, it moved in drive and reverse just fine. Any idea what would cause this? It only has 40K on it and I hardly used the 4WD. With summer approaching would like to get by for now and avoid a big repair bill, but don't want to cause a bigger problem by avoiding the shop.
#175 of 239 4x4 service. by bobby30x May 14, 2009 (3:33 pm)
I consider myself a handy guy and I will tackle any job until it comes to vehicles. however, as of 2 weeks ago, I decieded to take my truck in for some clicking noises coming from the left front tire and a ABS warning light on the dash board. I have an independant warranty and thats when I learned that I might as well not have any warranty at all. They covered about 1/2 the total cost ($1100. give or take) for a new tie-rod, a new left front bearing and they would not cover the cost of the rusty speed sensor, oh and then it had to be realigned. Now 2 weeks later, I was driving my truck down the highway and I got a dinging noise and when I looked down at the information center, it said "service 4x4". After I parked the truck, I pulled the fuse to make sure it wasn't the cheapest fix possible and it checked out fine so I replaced it. I started the truck back up after this process and there was no error and I could select 2x, 4low, and 4high. Today, 1 week after initial 4x4 service light, I got in my truck and the 4x4 option panel is lit up as neutral and when I try to select a option, it just blinks and eventually goes back into neutral mode. Is this the actuator or something more extensive? Any opinions would be much appreciated. Replies to this message: bruce48532 (May 15, 2009 3:34 am) jbeyhi (May 15, 2009 7:51 pm) alan1818 (May 17, 2009 11:19 am) and 2 more... surrfurtom (May 31, 2009 5:35 pm) bobby30x (May 16, 2009 4:57 pm)
#176 of 239 Re: 4x4 service. [bobby30x] by bruce48532 May 15, 2009 (3:34 am)
Replying to: bobby30x (May 14, 2009 3:33 pm) WHAT YEAR ?   MY 1999 REPAIR HISTORY 12/01/08 - TRANSFER CASE REBUILD 9/1/08 - FUEL PUMP 105,000 MILES COULD HAVE BEEN AVOID IF I CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER 11/1/08 - ENCODER MOTOR 11/1/08 - WHEEL BEARINGS 6/1/08 - 4WD ACTUATOR (FRONT DIFFERENTAL) 6/1/07 - FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR 9/1/06 HEAT SENSOR RESISTOR – FOR CAB HEAT ( FAN WOULD NOT WORK ON LOW SETTING 11/1/06 - 4WD SELECTOR SWITCH (DASH) 4/1/05 - FRONT LEFT TIE ROD Replies to this message: jbeyhi (May 15, 2009 7:51 pm) alan1818 (May 17, 2009 11:19 am) jbeyhi (May 17, 2009 12:41 pm) and 1 more... surrfurtom (May 31, 2009 5:35 pm) bobby30x (May 16, 2009 4:57 pm)
#177 of 239 Re: 4x4 service. [bruce48532] by jbeyhi May 15, 2009 (7:51 pm)
Replying to: bruce48532 (May 15, 2009 3:34 am) You appear to be experienced on the 1999 4X4 Silverado. I had the actuator replaced and 4WD module when the technician said the front axles didn't engage and I could see the 4WD light continue to flash. 2 years later the same symptoms. I think it's a design & engineering defect but GM going bankrupt offers no promise of a permanent solution. I figure it isn't worth fixing if I don't use the 4X4 high. I can get it into low. Additionally the rear view mirror doesn't automatically dim for night driving and the fuel guage sometimes quits working. The dealer wants $thousand$. Would appreciate your advice. Replies to this message: alan1818 (May 17, 2009 11:19 am) jbeyhi (May 17, 2009 12:41 pm) alan1818 (May 17, 2009 8:49 pm) surrfurtom (May 31, 2009 5:35 pm)
#178 of 239 Re: 4x4 service. [bruce48532] by bobby30x May 16, 2009 (4:57 pm)
Replying to: bruce48532 (May 15, 2009 3:34 am) my truck is a 2006 chevy silverado z71 non-on-star package.   now the truck is sometimes ok and sometimes stuck in nuetral even if i never pushed a button
#179 of 239 Re: 4x4 service. [jbeyhi] by alan1818 May 17, 2009 (11:19 am)
Replying to: jbeyhi (May 15, 2009 7:51 pm) My experience is limited; however, I did recently experience the loss of 4WD on my '96 Sierra that was resolved by replacing the front differential actuator. I had the same flashing 4WD indicator as you did before replacing it. I don't mean to ask a dumb question, but when you say you still have low range, are you sure the front wheels also are engaged? The transfer case shifts separately from the front differential, so you can be in low range, but not in 4WD. Happened to me, I thought I still had 4WD in low range, but it wasn't until I was on a grassy slope that I found I was wrong. If you want to avoid the dealer, the front actuator is a cinch to change, and was at a good price at autopartsdirecttoyou dot com. My '96 was the older style, but was only $73; I think the later years are still under $100. Replies to this message: jbeyhi (May 17, 2009 12:41 pm) alan1818 (May 17, 2009 8:49 pm)
#180 of 239 Re: 4x4 service. [alan1818] by jbeyhi May 17, 2009 (12:41 pm)
Replying to: alan1818 (May 17, 2009 11:19 am) You are probably correct but I don't know where to begin, normally I have it serviced by qualified mechanics but the dealer is about the only one here for this problem. I'm too cheap to take it in since the truck drives/runs well otherwise. What books do you use for referrence? Do they have good graphics/pictures? Thanks. Replies to this message: alan1818 (May 17, 2009 8:49 pm)
#181 of 239 Re: 4x4 service. [jbeyhi] by alan1818 May 17, 2009 (8:49 pm)
Replying to: jbeyhi (May 17, 2009 12:41 pm) Actually, I don't have any manuals for this truck, so I generally only tackle the mechanical stuff. Like with the actuator, this forum was great, a little research into what others have done, and the most likely diagnosis, and then the link to the parts supplier showed a picture of what the actuator looks like. I could see where the actuator was screwed in on the differential. The actuator is mechanical, operated through an electrical connection. The only little issue with mine was that the electrical connector wasn't compatible, and I had to splice the old one onto the new part. It's always bit of a chance, just buying a new part, when it could be switches or something else, but the actuator reportedly fails after a period of time, and I knew the low range switches, lights and gears worked. Simple things first. And I guess I was lucky.

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