4WD Light on gage Cluster

FlaMan · June 20, 2006

After reading some of the thoughts on the 4WD light on the other fellow's stick shift, I am really wondering if I have a light or not. I have an 02 2500HD, with th 8.1/Allison auto tranny, and yes, the LEDs work when I press them to go in and out of 4WD, but my manual does show a pic of my instrument panel, (and it says for an auto tranny as well), and in that pic, all the way to the left is the 4WD light. I have never seen it come on so today I checked both of my fuses and they are ok. I hesitate to go to the dealer and have them tell me for $75.00 bucks that my truck has no light anyway. Who really knows this answer?

You have to pay for an educated guess at the dealer but one would think that as a dealer, they have the resources to answer ANY question, but somehow that never works out. If I get under my front diff and look for the actuator, would I even have one? If I have one, how can I tell if it's working or if I need to replace it? Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks!!

vxaxv17 · June 20, 2006

After reading some of the thoughts on the 4WD light on the other fellow's stick shift, I am really wondering if I have a light or not. I have an 02 2500HD, with th 8.1/Allison auto tranny, and yes, the LEDs work when I press them to go in and out of 4WD, but my manual does show a pic of my instrument panel, (and it says for an auto tranny as well), and in that pic, all the way to the left is the 4WD light. I have never seen it come on so today I checked both of my fuses and they are ok. I hesitate to go to the dealer and have them tell me for $75.00 bucks that my truck has no light anyway. Who really knows this answer?

You have to pay for an educated guess at the dealer but one would think that as a dealer, they have the resources to answer ANY question, but somehow that never works out. If I get under my front diff and look for the actuator, would I even have one? If I have one, how can I tell if it's working or if I need to replace it? Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks!!

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My 2002 2500HD 6.0L 4-speed auto with manual 4wd shifter HAS the instrument panel light to indicate 4x4 is engaged. I believe the push button 4wd dont have the instrument panel indicator because there is a separate indicator light near the push button. I havent looked at the push button lately so i could be wrong about this. But for sure, my floor mounted 4wd HAS the dash indicator light.

Shawn T · June 20, 2006

After reading some of the thoughts on the 4WD light on the other fellow's stick shift, I am really wondering if I have a light or not. I have an 02 2500HD, with th 8.1/Allison auto tranny, and yes, the LEDs work when I press them to go in and out of 4WD, but my manual does show a pic of my instrument panel, (and it says for an auto tranny as well), and in that pic, all the way to the left is the 4WD light. I have never seen it come on so today I checked both of my fuses and they are ok. I hesitate to go to the dealer and have them tell me for $75.00 bucks that my truck has no light anyway. Who really knows this answer?

You have to pay for an educated guess at the dealer but one would think that as a dealer, they have the resources to answer ANY question, but somehow that never works out. If I get under my front diff and look for the actuator, would I even have one? If I have one, how can I tell if it's working or if I need to replace it? Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks!!

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After this discussion I read my owner's manual last night. You are right, there is no difinitive statement about the light being equipped only with the manual shift transfer case. This is my 3rd NBS truck, all equipped with the push button 4wd. None of them had the instrument panel light. Our fleet line out here at work are all NBS trucks. This morning I got in 3 of them and shifted them into 4wd (2 manual shift and 1 pushbutton). The manual t-cases had the light on the instrument panel that illuminated, the electronic shift did not. I don't think the coincidence is that great. Four different trucks equipped with push button, 0 lights on the cluster. As for being able to tell if the actuator engages, there are several ways to tell. First off, I discussed a procedure on the other post. Put it in 4HI on dry pavement, and cut the wheels. The truck will "hop" and be very roll resistant. That is your front wheels turning at different speeds than the rear, fighting each other. Another way is have one person in the truck and another next to the front diff. The actuator is in plain sight on the front granted there is a plastic deflector in front of the axle, you can still see it. When the 4wd button is pushed you will hear the electric motor engage the actuator. You can also unplug it and set up a jumper with a meter on it and read the voltage across it when the button is pushed. There is definately a handling difference when 4wd is engaged, you will feel it.