Preventative maintenance

katz · January 4, 2004

Hi everyone!

I have a few questions about my Tahoe and a few things I've been running into.

First, the truck runs pretty well. The transmission shifts smoothly. However, I don't know if or when it was last serviced. The color of the fluid looks "used" -- not disgustingly scary dirty, but it isn't perfectly clear, either. Should I go ahead and flush the transmission completely and replace the filter at this point in time?

Second, I'm worried about my transfer case. I hadn't used 4x4 in a while and I turned it on for the first time in quite a few months last night. I noticed a bit of a delay that wasn't there before when engaging the front differential. Is this a sign of some maintenance which needs to get done? I'll hit the button to go from 2HI to 4HI while approaching a slick area. After I press the button the 4HI light begins to flash. It will become solid I can feel more of a drag on the transmission. Then, about 10 seconds after it's lit I'll feel and hear the clank of some kind of solenoid engage and feel a further drag on the drivetrain. Is this normal operation? I don't remember this kind of delay or action in the past; I've had the truck just under a year.

Third, I have a short with the left rear speaker wire on the radio. Is this a common problem, so I can start to look at a specific place where the wires may be rubbed raw, or am I on my own with this one?

Is there any other maintenance I should do as I approach 100k? I know the belts were done at 60k, and the dex-cool looks fine, so I don't think I need to flush the radiator.

Many thanks in advance!

RyanZ71 · January 5, 2004

I'd flush the coolant anyways at 100,000. By that time it's lost alot of it's heat protection. Replace the Thermastat as well. Plugs and Plug wires and differential service and I would go ahead and do a tranny service as well that way you know where you stand.