service 4wd light on, noise from front axel

camel · October 10, 2006

my service 4wd light has intermittently come on in the past. but since Saturday, i think it come on ever time i have driven the truck now. and today i just noticed it started making a noise in the front that changed with my speed. it was worst and loudest at about 50km's/ 30mph. I'm thinking my switch is bad as well, its given me a few problems in the past. but this noise is new. i am new to 4wd vehicles, what should i look for? play in the front CV shafts? fluid in the front diff? Tia

Adam

azswede1960 · October 10, 2006

Could be lots of things, I know.... been through it ....

First off, look at the front diff plug and see if there is any metal on the magnetic plug .... I had lots and ended up getting a new front end....

The service 4x4 light, can be the switch, the computer, sensor in encoder motor AMONG other things .... I would take it in to dealer have them put the TECH2 scanner on it, to pinpoint problem, even if you don't want them to repair it (if out of warranty).

If you need a new switch I have a couple that I would sell you cheap (I like to have a spare to test with, but have 3 now) ... Let me know about that, also I have a spare computer module, that I used to troubleshoot my issues that I bought used for $75+shipping, only to find that I had sensor issues, that I only trusted to new parts .....

I know this stuff is easy to get over-whelmed with, and quite frankly, mad as all hell, but stay with it, and hopefully you will get it all straigthened out .....

camel · October 10, 2006

thanks tom for the fast reply. i'll pull the plug and check it out. i may take you up on that switch offer though. i guess i'll just have to give it a good look over on the weekend.

azswede1960 · October 11, 2006

thanks tom for the fast reply. i'll pull the plug and check it out. i may take you up on that switch offer though. i guess i'll just have to give it a good look over on the weekend.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not a problem man!!! I have had such good responses from people on this site, it is almost an obligation to help others out

And the fact that chevy isn't much help in fixing problems that have been making AMERICANS with their chevy's so mad and really done nothing to SO MANY to eliminate the 4x4 autotrac issues, that I had the fortune of finding good folks that come together on these sites.

Anyway, let me know about the switch & computer, and I will pass them on for what I spent on them + postage.

[email protected] is my email address.

Tom

svensk · October 11, 2006

My service 4x4 light has come on as well now about 1 time a month and goes away. Have not had problems but the front end makes a slight grinding noise when I engage the hubs and drive in autotrac mode and full 4 wheel.

Bought the truck used it is a 2000 with about 120k miles now.

camel · October 11, 2006

I'm going to have to try driving in 4wd and see if its worse or better. the noise is noticeablely loud. if anyone has any other similar experiences please let me know.

camel · October 12, 2006

ok, i did a little more searching. and it seems like its either the hub bearing, or the cv joint. its silent when i turn right, but loud and kind of clicky when i turn left. that leads me to believe its something on the right side. most likely the right side bearings. what do you guys think?

tia

adam

svensk · October 12, 2006

does it make noise in regular 2wd mode? Or just when in autrac and 4-Hi?

hoorders · October 12, 2006

ok, i did a little more searching. and it seems like its either the hub bearing, or the cv joint. its silent when i turn right, but loud and kind of clicky when i turn left. that leads me to believe its something on the right side. most likely the right side bearings. what do you guys think?
tia

adam

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had a very similar problem as you describe.................I replaced my switch and replaced the the actuator in the front diff.......very easy to replace both..........my svc 4wd light no longer comes on but I too have some noise coming from the front drivers side...........if I weave to the right or go straight the noise is there........if I weave left the noise goes away.........so Im prety sure its my drivers side bearing.........im going to replace it this weekend and will re-post if that fixes the problem.......

azswede1960 · October 13, 2006

My service 4x4 light has come on as well now about 1 time a month and goes away. Have not had problems but the front end makes a slight grinding noise when I engage the hubs and drive in autotrac mode and full 4 wheel.

Bought the truck used it is a 2000 with about 120k miles now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mine started out very intermittently like yours but as I ignored it (since it went away), it came back worse and worse .... then it got so bad that the switch would not come on AT ALL, or in 4HI, 4LO, N, and you could not get it out of mode .....

You definetly have a problem that I wouldn't think will just go away!

Check the easy stuff first, switch, wiring, ECM, etc ..... having a scanner that reads DTC "D" codes is a great tool, but expensive! I found it lots cheaper to have spare parts that I knew were good (either out of a buddies truck that didn't have problems, or on hand) that I could swap out and see if problem disappears/changes.

camel · October 15, 2006

well it was definatly the wheel bearing, rides perfect now. and i have a switch coming soon. but the light only came on once in the 250kms i put on it since fixin.

eshoremd · October 15, 2006

this switch thing? what do i ask for when i go to the dealer to pick one up? i have no noise but the light would come on maybe once a month, now it comes on every day.

svensk · October 16, 2006

this switch thing? what do i ask for when i go to the dealer to pick one up? i have no noise but the light would come on maybe once a month, now it comes on every day.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh man...is this what I'm in for? Funny mines a '00 as well its coming on mysteriously once a month.

eshoremd · October 17, 2006

anyone know the propper name for the part? i dont want to look like a total idiot when asking.

hoorders · October 17, 2006

anyone know the propper name for the part? i dont want to look like a total idiot when asking.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just tell them you need the 4x4 selector switch thats in your dash...........tell them you have auto-trac...........they will know exactly what you are talking about......