Awd disable light remains lit

AWD Disable indicator
The AWD Disable indicator is located in the instrument panel cluster. This lamp is used to inform the driver that the AWD system has been disabled and no torque will be applied to the rear wheels during a slip condition. The AWD Disable indicator is controlled by the powertrain control module via a class 2 message.
Powertrain Control Module
The powertrain control module monitors the data from the ABS controller and Rear Drive Module (RDM) for proper operating conditions. If inappropriate conditions are present the PCM commands the differential clutch pump actuator check valve closed, disabling the AWD system. The PCM also commands the AWD Disable indicator on.
Is the All-Wheel Drive Disabled Indicator Always On ?

Is

Is the All-Wheel Drive Disabled Indicator on ?
An ABS DTC may cause the AWD Disabled light to illuminate. Check for ABS DTCs if no AWD fault is present.

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The AWD data list can be used to assist in determining which type of fault is causing the AWD Disabled Lamp to illuminate. with a scan tool, verify the above data displays are within specification.
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AWD temperature disables can be caused by an open circuit.

Using a scan tool, select the Body - Instrument Panel Cluster - Special Functions - Lamp Test mode. In the Lamp Test mode you can turn on or off the instrument panel indicators. All indicators will turn ON when commanded on and OFF when commanded off. The AWD DISABLE indicator should turn on or off as commanded.
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If the AWD DISABLE indicator is always ON or always OFF, replace the instrument cluster. Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages and Console.

The AWD disable lamp illuminates when one of the following conditions exists for 5 seconds:
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The PCM commands the solenoid ON and the voltage feedback remains high, B+.

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The PCM commands the solenoid OFF and the voltage feedback remains low, 0 volts. This condition is present for 3 key cycles.

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The PCM detects fluid temp is too high.

You need to have this hooked-up to a professional grade scan tool.

Your rear flow vakve, just in front of the rear differential is bad.

Page 13 of owner's manual says:
AdvanceTrac
(if equipped):
Illuminates when the AdvanceTrac
system is active. If the light remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately.
AWD locked (if equipped):
AWD
Illuminates when all wheel drive
LOCKED
(AWD) is engaged/activated. If the
light continues to flash, have the
system serviced.

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ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an All Wheel Drive (AWD) transfer
case. With the AWD option, power is supplied to all four wheels
automatically with no need to shift between two-wheel drive and
four-wheel drive. If your vehicle is equipped with the AdvanceTrac
stability enhancement feature, you can change AWD modes, if desired,
by selecting AWD options through the message center.
For the lubricant specification and refill capacity of the AWD transfer
case refer to Maintenance and specifications chapter.
If your vehicle is equipped with AWD, a spare tire of a different
diameter than the road tires should never be used. Such a tire
could make the vehicle difficult to control as well as result in damage
to driveline components.
Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are not designed for
cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers in these
vehicles.
The following sections, Normal operation, Autolock operation and
Disabling AWD, apply only to vehicles which allow the driver to change
AWD modes through the message center.
Normal operation (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTrac
During normal operation:
• the AWD system is in AWD AUTO mode (AWD LOCKED will
illuminate in the message center for four seconds when you first start
your vehicle). The AWD LOCKED indicator in the instrument cluster
will also come on.
• AWD AUTO mode can be overridden by pressing SETUP in the
message center. When you first press SETUP, AWD <AUTO> will be
displayed, then if you press RESET within four seconds of pressing
SETUP, AWD <LOCKED> will be displayed. AWD <LOCKED> provides
power to all four wheels constantly which allows you to operate your
vehicle in severe winter or off-road conditions such as deep snow, ice
or shallow sand. It is not recommended that you use AWD <LOCKED>
on dry pavement.

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• AWD <LOCKED> can be cancelled by pressing RESET in the message
center. (The AWD LOCKED display in the message center will then
turn off and the display will return to AWD <AUTO> for four seconds
when the shift is complete.)
Autolock operation (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTrac
If the AWD system begins to overheat, the system will place itself in the
Autolock mode:
• the AWD LOCKED indicator light will illuminate in the instrument
cluster and AWD DISABLED <LOCKED> will be displayed in the
message center.
• AWD LOCKED will be displayed in the message center for four
seconds and a warning chime will sound. This condition may clear
without any action being taken by the driver.
• the AWD LOCKED indicator light in the instrument cluster will turn
off when the AWD system cools down.
• When the system is sufficiently cooled down, AWD AUTO RESTORED
will appear in the message center for four seconds and a warning
chime will sound.
Disabling AWD (vehicles equipped with AdvanceTrac
When a problem is detected in the AWD system:
• the AWD LOCKED indicator light in the instrument cluster will flash
eight times every two minutes in the message center.
• The message center will then display AWD DISABLED for four
seconds, then SEE OWNER'S MANUAL. A warning chime will also
sound. The warning displays and chime will continue until RESET is
pressed (which will clear the message from the display).
• AWD LOCKED can still be engaged by pressing SETUP (the message
center will display AWD <DISABLED> LOCKED), then pressing
RESET. The AWD LOCKED indicator light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster and the message center will display AWD
DISABLED <LOCKED>.
• To disable AWD, press RESET. The system will go back to AWD AUTO
mode momentarily, then the AWD LOCKED indicator light will flash in
the instrument cluster eight times every two minutes. The display will
then show AWD <DISABLED> LOCKED for four seconds and then
turn off.

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• If a serious problem occurs with the AWD system, the AWD LOCKED
indicator light in the instrument cluster will flash 10 times every two
minutes. The message center will also display CHECK AWD and a
warning chime will sound. You can press SETUP to check the status of
the AWD system (which will display AWD <DISABLED> LOCKED),
but the AWD system will be disabled until the system is serviced.
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
AWD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
When driving at slow speeds off-road under high outside temperatures,
use 1 (First) gear when possible. 1 (First) gear operation will maximize
the engine and transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.

the lights going on might also be a warning light for low brakes. if less than 25% remaining the other possibility is sensor issues with anti lock and awd

Whenever this warning light or any other stays on in the dash it is indicating that the systems control module (or the system sensor in the case of lights like low oil pressure, door open indicators etc.) has detected a fault, it then disables the system (this applies to ABS,TCS, TCM, SRS and BCM faults and others) as long as the light is on. You must now have the dealer hook up a special electronic diagnostic tool and "scan" the system for the fault code that is stored for the problem(s)

Legend of Abbreviations. ABS Antilock brake system.TCS Traction control system, TCM Transmission control module, SRS Supplemental restraint system, BCM Body control module

we have dumped over $5000 into mine in the past 1.5 yrs and the "service engine soon" light has never gone off for more than 3 days. fuel gauge reads either full or empty w/no rhyme or reason. this causes the "low fuel" light to randomly come on. i hear strange noises that SOUND like some sort of brake issue, but 2 mechanics have checked them and said they were fine. this causes the "awd disable" and "anti-lock" lights to randomly come on. one day i was driving down the road and glanced at the dash to be mesmerized by what looked like disco lights because the dash was flashing: *SECURITY * *LOW FUEL* *AWD DISABLE* *SECURITY*
My entire family has been driving GM vehicles exclusively (mostly Buicks and Chevys) for over 60yrs. I was raised by war veterans and union members and I believe very strongly in buying American. I am a union member myself, and am disgusted daily by all the foreign cars on the roads. But I am so disturbed by the number of problems I've had with this ONE vehicle in less than 2 years (and the fact that so many of us have had so many problems that remain to be solved or even acknowledged), I am seriously considering never buying GM again. I will have to swallow my gm pride and buy a jeep or a dodge and pray that they haven't ALL failed us.

definately repair that wire. now keep in mind that that particular wire is called a shielded wire and you need to be clean and careful when you repair it. make sure it is water tight and protected. this wire is for the abs wheel speed sensor and with no reading, the abs is inoperable which will affect the awd. the abs and smart trac work in conjuction with each other to help you remain stable. cheers.

3rd dealer stated that the problem was in the differential pump valve, when the temperture sensor was giving a false reading and disconnecting the rear wheel drive. Replaced with GM Part 88896067, and it solved the problem. Mechanic stated that if it is ONLY the AWD light, then this is usually the problem. If the ABS Disable light also goes on, then it is the harness on the wheel sensor.

Our 2002 did the same thing. Easy cheap fix! Pull the wheel off and check the wiring that goes to the wheel sensor. You will find after removing a few inches of wrap, a broken wire or two. This could be on either wheel, so check both. Fix the wires back up and you are good to go. Hope this helps!