Need New 4wd Front Actuator?

Erik1972 · September 23, 2008

So on my way home from Colorado on a hunting trip, I noticed my 4WD buttons on my dash were out. I was in 2WD. After we stopped for gas and started back on the road the only light was the red one by the Neutral settings and my Service 4WD light came on.

Yesterday I dropped it off at the dealer and they diagnosed it and said all the electric buttons are fine and it comes down to the 4WD actuator with encoder motor in the transfer case. They wanted $804 to fix this problem. I said forget it, I can do it myself. So I pick the truck up and as I am heading down the road the 4Wd lights are back to normal. So I pull over and run it through HI and LO and everything seems to working fine now.

Today I get in the truck and run it through HI and LO again and the Service 4WD light pops up again. So I assume they were correct that I need a new actuator. The GM on from the dealer is $499, NAPA has the front actuator in stock for $179. I looked on www.gmpartsdirect.com and they are only $98, but there are two of them and no part number on each. I know one is for the transfer case and one is for the the front diff.

One says actuator, all models - 4wd - 4WD, Front drive axle - Drive axles - Front axle - Actuator

Other one says actuator, 4wd - 4wd, Front suspension - Carrier and Front axle - Actuator

How do i know which one I need?? Also should I buy a new button module as well? Those are $80 at the dealer even though they said the actuator was bad?

What should I do?

Thanks, Erik

Majorleaguebass · September 23, 2008

i would start out with the buttons first, they do tend to go bad, get one off ebay, thats where i got mine, then see if that helps. On the other parts...i dont have a clue about those...least this will get you back to the top!!! Hope this helps

L29er · September 24, 2008

One says actuator, all models - 4wd - 4WD, Front drive axle - Drive axles - Front axle - Actuator
Other one says actuator, 4wd - 4wd, Front suspension - Carrier and Front axle - Actuator

How do i know which one I need?? Also should I buy a new button module as well? Those are $80 at the dealer even though they said the actuator was bad?

What should I do?

Thanks, Erik

Honestly that sounds like the same thing, it is your benefit that the service 4wd light is on, you should be able to get someone to scan it and it will tell you the problem is, even if it has to be the dealer, they may charge you but it could prevent you spending big $$$ that wasn`t neccesary. It is often that it is just a simple wiring problem that would only cost you a couple bucks...

95Sierra2500 · September 24, 2008

When I had this problem, I went through everything mechanical to try to sort it out (this was on my wife's Jimmy). I checked all the wiring I could see and it looked fine. Finally I went with the cheapest part to replace (the switch - bought mine at Carquest for like $25). It fixed the problem.

GM seems to be having problems with most of their switches in the 97-03 timeframe across most of their vehicle lines.