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question about my 4x4


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Posted

pull'n my dump trailer out of a hole at a customers house in the dirt.........backed it in for unloading material

 

anyway, go to pull out of it and put my '02 2500hd in 4x4 since i was in dirt and had a little hump to get over

 

well the rear-end is locked and spinn'n but the front is not, i finally get out but i question if my 4x4 ever engaged

 

put in nuetral, shifted into low and then into gear (manual floor shift)........did 4x4 high too

 

isn't there a light that comes on in the dash cluster that tells you its in 4x4? i never saw one but i don't use 4x4 but a few times in winter and can't remember

 

so ideas???

Posted

:cheers: Sometimes I wonder why GM pays the engineers who design these trucks anything over $5,000 a year. Oil filters in poor locations, nothing easy to reach/replace, and oh yeah.......no lights on the dash that comes on when your 4 wheel drive is engaged! H-e-l-l-o????? I had a 1989 Toyota 4Runner that at least had that feature and a 2000 F250 diesel 4X4 that had it as well. I now have a 2002 Chevy 2500HD 4X4 now, and to my knowledge, that light does not exist, and I use 4 wheel drive a lot. Your three buttons at the top left of your dash that say 2HI, 4HI and 4LO is all you have and it's REAL easy to leave it in 4WD and forget about it, as I have done it before. (Am I the only one??)

 

What would it cost for GM to add that feature. A couple bucks???? Heaven forbid that they would actually put something on there useful. I'd trade my heated seats for that feature as I live in Florida anyway. (And no, I didn't order them....I bought it used and they were on it already). Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I've checked my manual as well and no go! Keep this in mind next time you are truck shopping....I know I will!!

 

By the way, in chapter 2, page 54 of my manual, it says, "Shifting from 2HI to 4HI:...Press and release the 4HI switch. This can be done at any speed, and the front axle will lock automatically with some delay". I had always heard that you should not do this above 50 MPH and never to drive in 4HI over 60 MPH. Any truth to that or am I just imagining things??? ANYONE??:P

Posted

 

:cheers: After looking more in my manual, I found a picture of an instrument panel cluster in chapter 2, page 96. It says for "United States Heavy Duty Auto. Transmission version shown". That should be me as I have a 2500 HD, with the 8.1/Allison and I do have the Trans Temp Gauge on my cluster, just like in the picture. I went out and started the truck, tested all those lights and they do all work, EXCEPT the 4WD light. Now, either it is burned out or I don't have it at all, which doesn't seem likely, as I do have the space for it. I have never seen that light working, so tomorrow, I am going to the dealer to see whats what! I'll let you know what I find out. Do you have the 8.1 or the 6.0 ltr? Could make a difference even if they are both 02s.

Posted

If you have a floor shift transfer case, then yes there is a 4wd light on the upper left hand side of the instrument cluster. If it does not illuminate when you shift into 4HI or 4LOW, then the culprit is the electric actuator on the front diff. This is what actually illuminates the light, I think. Common problem on the OBS trucks. Easy fix. Test it on dry pavement. Shift to 4HI and make a sharp turn, you will know if the front diff actuator is working because your truck will try to "hop" instead of roll.

Posted
:cheers: After looking more in my manual, I found a picture of an instrument panel cluster in chapter 2, page 96.  It says for "United States Heavy Duty Auto. Transmission version shown".  That should be me as I have a 2500 HD, with the 8.1/Allison and I do have the Trans Temp Gauge on my cluster, just like in the picture.  I went out and started the truck, tested all those lights and they do all work, EXCEPT the 4WD light.  Now, either it is burned out or I don't have it at all, which doesn't seem likely, as I do have the space for it.  I have never seen that light working, so tomorrow, I am going to the dealer to see whats what!  I'll let you know what I find out.  Do you have the 8.1 or the 6.0 ltr?  Could make a difference even if they are both 02s.

 

 

 

 

Don't waste your time at the dealer. If you have the electronic shift 4wd, the light is not supposed to illuminate. Only the manual, floor shift, has the instrument cluster light. The push button has the LED's next to them. It makes no difference which motor you have either. I don't know about everybody else, but when I am in 4wd, I can definately tell the handling difference regardless if I have a light on or not.

Posted
my truck is NOT electonic shift..............its floor shift

 

should it be the actuator.......cost and replacement?  info?

 

 

 

 

 

There should be a fuse. Under hood fuse compartment. Check it first then move on to the actuator. I don't know the cost. Go to GMPartsdirect.com. Replacement is a piece of cake. It is located on the front diff. Unplug, thread out and repeat in reverse. It takes about 5 minutes.

Posted
my truck is NOT electonic shift..............its floor shift

 

should it be the actuator.......cost and replacement?  info?

 

 

 

Sounds like since your front axle didn't engage, and your 4x4 indicator light didn't come on, it's the actuator. Either its fuse is blown, or the switch which energizes it is dirty or defective, or your manual shift lever mechanism is out of adjustment.

Posted
:)  Your three buttons at the top left of your dash that say 2HI, 4HI and 4LO is all you have and it's REAL easy to leave it in 4WD and forget about it, as I have done it before.  (Am I the only one??)

 

No you are not the only one. I was on my way home from a long trip, and after filling up with gas I noticed oil all over the back of the tailgate. Further inspection had oil on the rear axle also. I stopped at a dealer and they said it is common for the axle seals to go out around 40,000mi (at the time I had 43,000) and that is what the problem is. I did not want to wait for the next day to fix it so I checked the fluid, which was full, and kept driving. Turns out the 4wd was on, blowing fluid out of the transfer case all over the back of the truck. Put it in 2wd and the problem went away. :D

Posted

FlaMan, since you have the electronic shift you have LEDs telling you what mode it is in. I like it that way, since any light on in the dash makes me think there is something wrong.

As for the speeds for 4HI, there is absolutely no reason to be in 4HI at 60 mph. Well, unless you are running Baja. Usually if you need 4WD you shouldn't be going all that fast.

Posted

been busy work'n but just checked the fuse on the side fo the dash........15A, not blown..........so that leaves the actuator? can i test if before buy'n a new one? i haven't been under there to find it but i imagine its go wires i can put voltage to

 

if there's anything else post up...........thanks for the help everybody

 

-btw, got stuck not hav'n 4wd and had to unload 2 tons of sand from the trailer i was pull'n (trailer weighs 2500lbs itself)........grrrrr

Posted
actuator info anybody?  thanks!

 

 

 

 

There is just a simple plug-in on the back of the actuator. I would certainly think you could test the voltage signal with a voltmeter. I replaced the one on my '91 and I think the part was $60 at the parts store. As it turned out, it was not the actuator, but a broken snap ring in the transfer case that was not allowing the moving part inside the t-case (engaged by the actuator) to move and properly engage. Removed axle tube and assembly, replaced snap ring, put all back together and 4x4 worked! Interesting process of finding the problem, but hey it's all part of the game. :cheers:

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