97 S-10, manual trans, 4WD, V6. wehn I engage

Make one is my only suggestion here, sorry but these types of parts are seldom replaced.

You disconnect it down at the transmission, and move the linkage manually. Doing so manually will engage the "park" position on the trans itself, but the wiring to release the key is connected directly to that shifter. The only way to "bypass" would be (_after_ disconnecting the linkage to the trans), disassemble the entire shifter from the console. You will find a switch. You simply need to engage the switch (or disengage it, depending on what position "park" would put the switch into)... Then you can remove the key. Seems to me it's easier to remove the car battery and simply use spare keys to lock the doors, until you can obtain a replacement shifter. You can even "block" the tires to prevent motion if you don't want to mess with the trans linkage until after you obtain a replacement shifter. (If I was there I'd get that to shift. I've done it before. I just can't explain how to do it. It's a pain-in-the-rear-jury-rig process, but it can be done).

Take the transfer case apart and find out what is broke.

TRY NEUTRAL ON THE COLUMN THEN MOVE SHIFTER ON FLOOR IN 4WD.I THINK YOUR TRYING TO MOVE SHIFTER ON FLOOR WHILE ITS IN DRIVE.

First check these steps in engaging.
Stop completely, clutch in or neutral for automatics, step on brake pedal, engage 4wd, select gear. Sometimes the engage switch is connect to the brake also. I have to step onthe brake to get into 4Low on my 1993 Explorer.
Next step is to check for loose wires under the transmission. If the plug came out the trans wont know to get into 4wd.
Lastly, if you are handy, get a chiltons or othr manual and remove and clean the 4wd module.
If none of these work then the module is probably burned out, replace or take to a shop for replacement.
Hope this helps you get it fixed.

see transmission shop

You have vacumn lines the run to your transfer case and then to the vacumn motor on the front axle. you need to check the lines and connections. If vacumn is working fine, then motor on front axle is bad.

It doesn't take long to learn when and how to use your truck's 4WD system. Follow these steps and you'll feel confident about engaging the system the next time you need to get out of a slippery situation.

For a conventional system, where you can select 2WD or 4WD, the instructions refer to engaging 4WD. For trucks with permanent 4WD, they refer to locking the center differential.

Time Required: varies
Here's How:

1. Refer to your owner's manual to find out how to engage your truck's 4WD mechanism.
2. When driving in snow, mud, or just going off road, shift into 4WD when you get ready to leave solid ground. If you have lockable front hubs, lock them for those operations.
3. For severe conditions, use low range if available. Before shifting into low range you must either stop or slow down to at least 3 mph to prevent grinding gears.
4. When you return to normal conditions, shift out of 4WD or unlock the center differential. If the shifter doesn't want to move from 4WD or the differential lock stays engaged, don't panic, becaue the problem is normal and is caused by pressure on the gears.
   
   • Try backing in a straight line about 10 feet and try to move the shifter again.
     
   • If the shifter still won't move, try backing in an "S" pattern while trying to move the shifter.
5. If you have lockable hubs, don't forget to unlock them when you return to dry pavement.

Tips:

1. Vehicles with permanent 4WD are set up for everyday driving, but not necessarily for maximum traction on slick surfaces. Engaging the differential lock increases the vehicle's traction capabilities.
2. Do not operate a locked 4WD on dry, hard surfaces. Doing that could cause damage to the driveshafts, differentials or transfer case.

What You Need:
Owner's Manual

Good luck and remember to rate this solution.

Thanks for using Fixya.

you might try checking the linkage on trans case shifter. may need adjusting. might not be getting fully engaged

btwn 2H and 4H can be done while driving up to 55 mph.
btwn 4L and 4H must stop put into Neutral in automatic trans. - do not stop at N on 4WD shifter. One solid motion.