Auto 4wd noise?

Dmcortez · March 27, 2015

So the dealer is basically saying this is normal... I'll attach the docs they sent me as soon as I figure out how to. Their docs address my issue/symptoms as well as the high pitch noise others are describing ( which I'm not experiencing). They're saying its related to my 4 inch lift. My question is this: is anyone having these symptoms on thier stock truck ( without lift/tires)?

Jon A · March 27, 2015

No where in this thread did I reply to a post and said do not use Auto 4WD for snow or ice. I replied to the OP and the post on page 1 that said they had audible noise while in Auto. If you drive in Auto 4WD often or for long periods on pavement you WILL wear out your front transfer case.

The funny thing is you even quoted me saying driving in Auto 24/7 is bad, and then you replied 200 miles. I never said 200 miles would break it. I said all the time.

Nice try. The OP posted his issue a month and a half ago. This thread had lay dormant for more than a month.

Then somebody else posted a new problem. Your post came an hour after that. Your post was a broad, generalized statement that by default applied to everybody, including the new poster. It had no such 24/7 qualification.

If you did not intend your post to look as a reply to the new poster and wanted to narrow your generalized statement to people using auto 24/7, you should have said so in your first post. Adding those later after you've been called out on it is unconvincing.

Isriam · March 27, 2015

Nice try. The OP posted his issue a month and a half ago. This thread had lay dormant for more than a month.

Then somebody else posted a new problem. Your post came an hour after that. Your post was a broad, generalized statement that by default applied to everybody, including the new poster. It had no such 24/7 qualification.

If you did not intend your post to look as a reply to the new poster and wanted to narrow your generalized statement to people using auto 24/7, you should have said so in your first post. Adding those later after you've been called out on it is unconvincing.

Wow now you're just grasping because you realized I never said what you're trying to pretend I said. You have to try this hard to make your argument seem valid?

Jon A · March 27, 2015

If you backpedal any faster, you might toss your chain. You made a statement that applied to everybody who uses Auto4WD. You were called out. You have since modified your statement to apply to basically nobody (I don't know anybody who uses Auto4WD 24/7, do you?).

morrislee · March 27, 2015

I have it, or had it. I dont notice it anymore. I could be deaf though, been blasting my Bose speakers XD

pancepance · March 28, 2015

As far as my issue goes I'm nowhere and things are getting even stranger. The new dealer I made an appt. for is taking the truck in Tuesday. It snowed a week ago and I tried just to make sure I wasn't insane using Auto and 4Hi. Both had significantly loud mechanical noises when engaged. Similar to a tire with deep tread and the sound it makes on a highway that increases and decreases with the speed of the vehicle. That's the closest I can describe. The heated seat is still broken the cruise control doesn't work and out of the blue today an entirely new issue.
I got out of the truck and closed the door and the horn went off. Not a chirp similar to double pushing the lock button but constant. Tried each button on the remote to no avail. started the truck just stayed on. Couldn't get it off. It sounded for about 10 minutes in the driveway while I was inside online trying to look for info. Then it went off. Few minutes later it came back on. All the while I was inside. It stayed off an hour and I took a ride. 20 min into the trip on the highway it came on again. Stayed on for about 15 minutes. Its as though its possessed. I cannot figure out what triggers it. I went 45 min on the highway without a peep and when I got to my exit and came to a stop at the light it came back on and stayed on from there to my house where I was able to reach in and yank the plug to the horns. Talk about freakshow. I'm starting to really hate this truck. Talk about strange. I have have 4wd issue, heated seat, cruise control, squeaking springs and constant horn on my list.

JWAK · February 6, 2016

I work in sales for Joyce Buick GMC in Avon, Ohio

I have leased a 2014 GMC Sierra SLT K1500 All Terrain Double Cab. I replaced with a 2015 GMC Sierra SLT K1500 Double Cab and I am now in a 2016 GMC Sierra All Terrain SLT K1500 All Terrain. I love these trucks.

I did Not have any excessive noise in the 14 or 15. I do however have a pretty good growl that comes in Auto AWD and 4 High. Very noticeable under acceleration and never goes away. Our service department has not been to interested in fixing. As I don't believe there is a simple fix. I am very disappointed in the noise as this is a $50k+ truck and I have to sell the product too! I going to keep squeaking until it is "fixed". The AWD option is great on rain slicked roads, very cold roads, snow and off road gravel.

James Krasula

www.drivejoyce.com

Toolbox1 · February 7, 2017

Resurrecting this thread a little. Just picked up a 2014 Silverado ltz crew can. Love the truck but switched it into to auto and I'm hearing a similar whine/growl when accelerating. Seems to go away when I let off the gas or when I switch into 2wd.

Wondering if I should be taking it to the dealership or not. Seems like there are a few threads where I'm reading it's normal?

15_silverado · February 7, 2017

Resurrecting this thread a little. Just picked up a 2014 Silverado ltz crew can. Love the truck but switched it into to auto and I'm hearing a similar whine/growl when accelerating. Seems to go away when I let off the gas or when I switch into 2wd.

Wondering if I should be taking it to the dealership or not. Seems like there are a few threads where I'm reading it's normal?

My 2015 did this same thing exactly as you discribed. I never got it fixed as the truck got bought back for other reasons. But I can tell you it's not supposed to make any noise in 4AUTO even under acceleration. Unless you have loss of traction or a wheel spin, it should be smooth and quiet in 4AUTO; it should feel and sound the same as 2wd. I can attest to this, as my 2017 is perfectly smooth and quiet in 4AUTO same as 2wd. This is one of the many things I specifically tested before accepting the trade/repurchase.

So I would say take it to the dealer if you have warranty. I know there are numerous updates for the transfer case, but I highly doubt those updates will fix it. The update never did anything for my 2015. It's probably mechanical.

Please let me know what you find out though; I'm just curious as I had that same problem.

Oh, and don't let the dealer tell you that's "normal operation" because it's definitely not.

DLW66 · February 7, 2017

I have a very low mileage 2017 and makes this slightly noticeable whine at highway speeds while on the accelerator and goes away when letting off. It's quite around town at lower speeds, not noticeable at all. Has done this since new, so did the other truck I test drove.

From the what I gather, most no mileage trucks pulling off the dealer lot have this sound, except a select few don't? This seems to all over the place to me...

maxum3300 · February 7, 2017

Yes, I get a noise during the switch from one position to another. My concern is a constant mechanical gear/gear type noise. Similar to a rear end as its starting to go. This noise will increase/decrease with speed and is only apparent out of 2wd.

I rode in a '14 Silverado today that had no noticeable noise when operating in auto or 4hi. Compared to mine its a night and day difference.

I also noticed today that when in auto if I come to a complete stop and reverse there is a clunk as a start in the other direction. Then if I stop and go the opposite direction it clunks again. Similar to the sound a bad U-joint can make when starting from a standstill. This is new and I hadn't noticed prior but it does it consistently each time. Just one time from standing start at regular pace. Not any type of power takeoff, just as if you were making a 3-point turn in a parking lot. Each time I change direction there's a clunk and then not again till I've come to a complete stop and restart motion.

I have the exact same noise coming from mine. Sounds like grinding gears. I've only had my 2015 Sierra a week and never noticed until the day after I had my lift kit installed. I had my lift installed at a shop out of town, about a 200 mile trip. Drove down in auto 4x4, no sound at all. It wasn't until on the way home about half way into the 200 mile trip did I notice it. First time I heard it was when letting out of the throttle then it would stop as I was coasting. As soon as I got back into the throttle I would hear it again and then it would stop but as soon as I let out the throttle it did it again for a short distance while coasting then would stop. Again as soon as I hit the throttle it did it again. I was beginning to think the shop had did something wrong until I read this post. I put my truck in 2wd and haven't heard it since. Once I got home I put the truck in 4wd just to confirm it was still engaging.

Bmz72 · February 14, 2017

In auto the front transfer case is still engaged. The computer reduces and increases the torque to the wheels as needed.

This is why the fuel millage drops some in auto. At the minimum the transfer case is spinning.

I can tell by how my truck sounds if the auto is on vs the sound it makes in 2 hi.[/quote

Agreed ! Basically the transfer case waiting for "slip" , I believe the front axles are also spinning which gives off some of the noise. My 16 does and so did my 2000 when I'm auto . It's not a all wheel drive vehicle, it's 4wd. And personally I wouldn't use unless there is something for it to slip on just like when using 4wd or eventually there will be damage

It operates similar to the Eaton G80 rear locking diff, it senses slip and locks the clutch to both axles, except the rear axle disengages around 20-25 mph.

One of my favorite features btw (G80) !

Edited February 14, 2017 by Bmz72

MontyUSA · December 22, 2018

Need to resurrect this topic. Recently purchased a new 2018 Silverado 1500. Had a 4 inch BDS Suspension lift installed. Hadn't driven in 4wd auto until after the lift installed (less than 3k miles on the truck)..

First snow put It in 4wd auto and experienced the noticeable sound and slight vibration (similar to riding over a rumble strip while accelerating 40-50 MPH), sounds/feels like coming from front transfer case felt in drivers floor board. No issues in 2wd. I am NOT mechanically inclined so can't think of a better explanation.

I will take to the dealer but I suspect the first response will be lift caused It...

Does anyone have any ideas of what causes.

Hillwood · December 22, 2018

Need to resurrect this topic. Recently purchased a new 2018 Silverado 1500. Had a 4 inch BDS Suspension lift installed. Hadn't driven in 4wd auto until after the lift installed (less than 3k miles on the truck)..

First snow put It in 4wd auto and experienced the noticeable sound and slight vibration (similar to riding over a rumble strip while accelerating 40-50 MPH), sounds/feels like coming from front transfer case felt in drivers floor board. No issues in 2wd. I am NOT mechanically inclined so can't think of a better explanation.

I will take to the dealer but I suspect the first response will be lift caused It...

Does anyone have any ideas of what causes.

You voided your warranty with your mods..
Drain the fluids and look for metal..
Angels all normal in driveline?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Jon A · December 22, 2018

It's too bad you didn't test it before the lift. On my truck, the lift made no difference--it was so quiet you basically couldn't tell when it was in Auto mode. However after swapping to 4.11 gears, there's a fair amount of noise. I went with Yukon gears instead of GM and GM gears are reputed to be the most quiet and of course the driveshaft turns a lot faster with the new gears. Some amount of noise is normal but I do think it varies from truck to truck within a "normal range."