Jump to content

4WD trouble...

bowtie_pasta

Recommended Posts

bowtie_pasta Enthusiast

bowtie_pasta

Posted
Posted

The 4WD isn't working right on my 84' S10 Blazer.

 

I shift it into 4Hi or 4Lo and only the rear wheels pull or something.  I got stuck in some soft dry dirt the other day.

 

So I figure I have some trouble w/ the transfer case or front diff.  Haven't serviced either since I've owned it (bout 7 years).

 

Any ideas?  I don't hear any crunching or grinding.

 

P.S.  It used to work when I got the truck, we used to climb some pretty nice hills.

Guest Friz

Guest Friz

Posted
Posted

Does the 4wd light come on?

Check the thermal relay on the front axle. If you get 12vdc on the wire, the relay is most likely the problem. These are a fairly high-fail item in the newer trucks, Easy to change and I think they cost around $50-$100.

  • 4 weeks later...
mcali17 Enthusiast

mcali17

Posted
Posted

Yes, it is a vaccuum actuator. Looks like a little ball valve with vaccuum lines coming off of it, it is screwed in on top of the transfer case. These notoriously fail. We even keep an extra one in our 91 Blazer in case it fails during a snowstorm. It is the vaccuum that engages your hubs, that is why when you pull the lever you don't get four wheel drive immidiately like you do with the push buttom. The vaccuum has to build to engage the hubs.

mcali17 Enthusiast

mcali17

Posted
Posted

I am pretty sure it is on the top, driver side of the transfer case.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • hotfish
      Forward collision and lane keep assist still a problem on 2022 refresh?

      By hotfish · Posted

      Did you ever get this worked out? Mike is doing the two start thing now too. This is after a new camera back in December. 
    • KARNUT
      AFM Disabler Question

      By KARNUT · Posted

      I’m doing an experiment on a vehicle I don’t have much money in. I’m going by the premise that after they last 100K miles they were no mechanical problems with assembly. Or defects with the parts. With oil changes by the minder for the first 127K miles when I acquired it. I quickly went through low mileage oil changes then settled on 5k oil changes with close to 170K miles on the vehicle currently. I did have the option to turn off the cylinder deactivation. I didn’t on this vehicle because it’s in ECONOMY mode at least half the time. It should be a no brainer frequent oil changes are the key. The manufacturer gets away with the long oil changes with its severe service  maintenance. Just ask them what is normal. 
    • baglie1
      Hot air constantly blowing through floor vents, drivers side only?

      By baglie1 · Posted

      Even set to "recirculated", the air pushes out and is hot. I have noticed that sometime it doesn't want to switch between recirculated/vented air. Say it is set to Circulated Air and I want to switch to Vented, when I click the Vented button, it just quickly lights up/clicks and immediatly switches back to Circulated. It's done this a few times now. So maybe it is an actuator getting stuck? But then, that doesn't explain the hot air when everything is off does it?
    • Chuck FB
      Gas Prices

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      I wonder what the price is out at the coast, Big Sur or other out of the way locations as I bet they are charging quite a premium over the in land pumps. 
    • Chuck FB
      2 speed transfer case optional now?

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      Were you looking at the HD trucks on the GM website or the half tons as that makes all the difference. As far as I know there are only two options for the HD trucks and that is the standard 2 speed transfer case or the 2 speed transfer case that has the added 4 high auto feature and they put that transfer case by default into the LTZ and High Country although its optional in the LT and not sure if its available in the work trucks.    The half tons, that is where its been a total mess in my estimation for a few years now with most trucks below the top trim having the single speed transfer case as standard but with the option of having the two speed such as one would get by choosing the Z71 package, however then not being able to get the two speed transfer case with the towing package unless it was a higher trim truck AND had the 6.2 gas so one could combine the towing package gearing diffs with the two speed transfer case. Having said that if its a trail boss package then it gets the two speed transfer case but not necessarily able to get the tow package as it would depend on trim level and engine chosen. Believe me, people have bought the GM half tons assuming "of course it will have a two speed transfer case" only to find out after when they really pay attention to what they now own .... crap, there is NO low range !.    I don't believe Ford or Ram have gone that way yet with their half tons but like I say its been a few years now that GM has done this with the half tons. 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...