Auto 4WD/4WD issues

[Cliff14Denali]

I had the "Service 4WD" issue back in February 2015. When it happened to me, I was over 300 miles away from home so the dealer said to drive it home in 4WD. OK, so I did and since then I am having an issue that is getting worse. The truck drives fine in 2WD but once I switch it to Auto 4WD the 4WD engages without the wheels slipping. If I hit the gas it engages 4WD and even when I let off it stays engaged. I had it at the dealer and even had the tech take it for a ride with me and he says there is no problem. I am not a tech but I know how to wrench around and have been around cars for over 25 years so I am far from not knowledgeable. I replaced the front hubs and axles thinking that something else may be the issue but that did not help. The only other thing I can think of being the 4WD actuator malfunctioning so I just ordered one. I read that this is not an easy job and wondering if anyone tried to do one? I had a reputable 4WD shop tell me that I may have an issue with the transfer case which I hope not.

 

If I engage it in 4WD it feels like it does in Auto 4WD.

 

The dealer basically told me to drive it until the noise gets louder so they can diagnose it and my issue is that I do not want to get stuck somewhere. I want to try to do the 4WD actuator to see if it may be the issue. Anyone else try this or anyone else have a similar issue.

[joshc64311]

It's under warranty right?

[Cliff14Denali]

It's under warranty right?

Yes, they can't figure it out and I don't want to drive the truck the way it is. I may just go back to the dealer again tomorrow. The tech basically said it's under warranty, drive it until it breaks......I don't want to do that

[joshc64311]

Yes, they can't figure it out and I don't want to drive the truck the way it is. I may just go back to the dealer again tomorrow. The tech basically said it's under warranty, drive it until it breaks......I don't want to do that

I would and have. I wouldn't spend money on a box of band aids, if you catch my drift.

[joshc64311]

Have you tried changing the tcase fluid? Keep me updated in curious.

[Cliff14Denali]

Have you tried changing the tcase fluid? Keep me updated in curious.

Yes, the dealer did the transfer case fluid when they did the Service 4WD recall.

[dave07]

The transfer case is always engaged when you are in Auto 4wd. Perhaps this is what you are feeling? It will transfer power to the front wheels once it recognizes slippage.

 

How do you know when the 4wd is engaging and when its not? Its very hard to tell....

[TJay74]

When in 4Hi the transfer case is fully engaged, system is not waiting for slippage to engage. When you are in Auto the transfer case is only engaged 10%, the moment the system senses wheel slippage it engages the transfer case clutches fully and becomes 4Hi. As you drive and no slippage is detected the system drop back down to the 10% loading and waits for wheel slippage.

[truckguy82]

Yeah how do you know there's a problem?

 

Auto4wd activates in fractions of a second. it's so fast you can't feel or detect any rear wheel slippage.

 

The only difference you might see is that in 4auto your tires don't srub on slow sharp turn and in 4hi they do.

[Jon A]

In 4HI it will bind very noticeably on pavement in low speed turns. In 4AUTO it will not. If it does something is wrong. A bad wheel sensor will do it.

[rickytickyshorth]

Why are you in auto 4wd?

 

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using Tapatalk

[Cliff14Denali]

The transfer case is always engaged when you are in Auto 4wd. Perhaps this is what you are feeling? It will transfer power to the front wheels once it recognizes slippage.

 

How do you know when the 4wd is engaging and when its not? Its very hard to tell....

When it is in Auto 4WD I can hear and feel it in the front end like if it was in 4WD. Also, when I let off the throttle I can feel the 4WD still engaged even when it is in Auto 4WD. Plus I am driving on perfectly dry clear roads and the Auto 4WD engages the front wheels. There is such a difference in 2WD as opposed to Auto 4WD that just about anyone can feel the difference......well except for the tech I took for a ride. I ordered the 4WD actuator and am willing to change it to see if that is it. It was only $125

[dave07]

When it is in Auto 4WD I can hear and feel it in the front end like if it was in 4WD. Also, when I let off the throttle I can feel the 4WD still engaged even when it is in Auto 4WD. Plus I am driving on perfectly dry clear roads and the Auto 4WD engages the front wheels. There is such a difference in 2WD as opposed to Auto 4WD that just about anyone can feel the difference......well except for the tech I took for a ride. I ordered the 4WD actuator and am willing to change it to see if that is it. It was only $125

I get the same thing when in Auto4wd you get some extra noise, vibration, and harshness. I know what your talking about and it's normal operation.

 

Go test drive a new one or a buddies and if it does it, it's normal.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cliff14Denali]

Why are you in auto 4wd?

 

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using Tapatalk

In the rain I put it in Auto 4WD because it spins all over the place with all the leaves on the ground.

[Cliff14Denali]

I get the same thing when in Auto4wd you get some extra noise, vibration, and harshness. I know what your talking about and it's normal operation.

 

Go test drive a new one or a buddies and if it does it, it's normal.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just drove my friends new 2016 and it does not do this.....I believe damage was done somewhere in my drivetrain when my truck was stuck 300 miles away in 4WD when I had the "Service 4WD" message. I know the truck has 100K mile drivetrain warranty but do not want to get stuck somewhere far from home when they can fix or try to fix my issue.