service 4 wd

truckindj · August 1, 2005

i just got a msg on my dash that says service 4 wd how do i get rid of it

71GMC_3/4T · August 1, 2005

On mine, it was a defective selector switch in the dash. This may or may not be what's wrong with yours. However, it's a likely culprit. Mine "fixed itself", i.e., the problem went away for a few days. Then it came back. I pulled the switch and reflowed the solder on the connector pins. Hasn't come back since.

Now I'll ask what year/model pickup you have. That helps the rest of us determine what might be wrong...

99silveradoz71 · August 2, 2005

Failure of the autotrac switches has been a pretty common cause for the service 4wd message.

cyclejerk · August 2, 2005

i just got a msg on my dash that says service 4 wd how do i get rid of it

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99.9% it's the 4 wheel drive selector switch. $30 to 440 bucks on ebay and elsware. There have been MANY MANY posts about this.

Mine is bad as we speak.

Johann · August 2, 2005

I had that problem on my old Yukon, but it wasn't just the light. It would randomly put me into 4WD sometimes, and sometimes I couldn't get out. It got bad when it got stuck in 4LO. Turns out it was also the switch, but get it fixed soon so you don't have any problems with it changing gears on you.

silverado man · August 2, 2005

www.modulemaster.com will repair the one you have or you can just replace it.

BretD04GMC · May 2, 2006

i just got a msg on my dash that says service 4 wd how do i get rid of it

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

99.9% it's the 4 wheel drive selector switch. $30 to 440 bucks on ebay and elsware. There have been MANY MANY posts about this.

Mine is bad as we speak.

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I just wanted to add some info. on this subject. Soon after buying my '04 last year, I had the common problem of the Autotrac lights going out and getting the "Service 4WD" message. I took it to the dealer and they reprogrammed the control module and the problem went away.

Recently, the problem came back intermittantly. Occasionally, the lights on the switch would act up. If I shut down the truck and let it sit for a few minutes, on restart everything was back to normal.

Today, I fired up the truck to go to work and had NO lights on the Autotrac switch as well as another "Service 4WD" message. I considered the switch like so many have done, but decided to run it in to the dealer.

I guess I'm having a hard time accepting that GM has had defective Autotrac switches for the past 4 years or so and has done nothing to improve them. No recalls, no nothing sounds wierd to me.

Anyway, the dealer ran a diagnostic on my rig and it showed a bad Transfer Case Range Sensor. They replaced it under warranty and all seems well so far.

I just wanted to pass this on for general knowledge. It's possible that in some cases, simply replacing the switch is throwing away $$$ and not really solving the problem.

I hope this helps out.

ChevyTech007 · May 2, 2006

Anyway, the dealer ran a diagnostic on my rig and it showed a bad Transfer Case Range Sensor. They replaced it under warranty and all seems well so far.

I have done a couple transfer case sensors. There is a reprogram for this so your dealer did the correct thing in programing first. Dealers have a very bad rap, I have heard it for 23 years. Anyway, if you had gone to an indy they would probably replaced the whole encoder motor. I know it was under warranty but I bet the outcome would have been the same. Sorry, just venting a bit.