Chevy 4x4 Problem

: On the first snowy day we've had this season, I discovered that my
: newly-acquired 1993 Chevy 4x4 PU, V8 454, won't go into 4WD. The gear
: shift handle does, but it is not really in 4 wheel. Any suggestions on
: what to look for?

If the "front wheels" on the shift lever do not light up within 5-10 seconds
of engaging the transfer case lever, then it is probably the thermal actuator
solenoid on the front axle housing ($70, about 1 inch in diameter and 4 inches
long with a wire coming out the end, screws directly into the front axle case
from the passenger side). This device fails frequently, but is easy to replace.

Rich

I just went through all this with a 94' If the system is the same do as the
previous message said and if the drive shaft does spin the problem is of course
up front. Next check the thermal actuator in the front differential. These are
know to go,and they engage the diff. If that works, its inside the diff. My
problem turned out to be a damaged shift fork which was not as bad as things
could have been. Good luck.

FIRST CHECK FOR AND FIND THE FUSES THAT POWER YOUR 4X4 SWITCH, THEN FIND AND CHECK THE ACTUATOR SWITCH. then if you havent solved it take to a shop for a quote. Your year had a strong transfercase and good front axles, generaly it was the fuses and or actuator switch. good luck hunting
look at post similar to yours, the switch is cheap and easy to change.

Larry,
You need to jack the vehicle up, with all four tires a few inches off
the ground so you can check it out. Crank the engine up and then engage
the 4 wheel drive. Put the truck in forward gear and give it a little
gas. (You may need to let someone "drive" it for you while you look
underneath the truck). Does the front driveshaft turn when you put the
transmission in forward gear? Also, what about reverse gear does it
rotate the opposite direction?? If not, then for some reason the
transfer case is not engaging correctly. That will most likley take big
bucks to repair, unless it just happens to something pretty simple. Not
familiar with Chevy, so you will have to ask the mechanics you normally
deal with about that type of repair. If the front driveshaft does
rotate, then it appears that the problem is either in the front
differential, or possibly with the locking hubs. If the problem is in
the differential, then it will take big bucks to fix it. If the problem
is in the hubs, as one other poster suggested, then it won't be to awful
bad (expensive) to fix it.
Good luck
Keith

look for a vacum switch on transfercase which ingages 4wd.

If vehicle has been outside and it has been real cold and vehicle has lock-out
hubs, the grease in hubs could be too cold and thick to allow lock-outs to
engage. Put in garage with space heater under hubs to thaw.Headhunter c/o
()

Sell the chevy

I have a 1998 chevy 1500 4x4 the four wheel drive was not working. The elelctrconic 4x4 switch would blink when I would try to engage the 4x4. I replace the 4x4 actuator on the front diferentual. It was very easy to do, you just unplug the electronics and unscrew the actuator. Replace with the new one. about a 15 min. job

check your vacume lines,my buddies blazer did the exact same thing.We found out
the hard way after we were already in the mud. Could be something else but
check your vacume hoses.

In article < says...

The key is "454". He's talking full-size truck (C/K series) which do
not use vacuum lines - only the S series use them.

RT
--
To send e-mail, please remove "no.spam." from address.

Check out the hubs, you didn't mention if they were auto-lockers or
manuals. I'm assuming that you would've locked them prior to the event, if
they were manuals. Even if you did, check and make sure that they were in
the "LOCKED" position after you did this - sometimes people will lock their
hubs to spin up the driveline and get the juices moving and forget to
unlock them...hey, it's happened to me.

If they're auto-lockers, then there might be some internal problems. If
the hubs are fine, check and make sure that the front drive-shaft and/or
half-shafts (if IFS equipped) are connected, or even there - you'll never
know until you look. Why did the other guy get rid of it, anyway?

There also might be a problem with the transfer case. If the shifter drops
in to 4WD as indicated, but everything is operating properly, then you may
be the victim of a broken transfer case. Something inside is not allowing
the power transfer to the front output shaft. Major bucks!

Define your idea of "not really in 4 wheel." All of the factory trucks
I've ever heard of come equipped with open front diffs - this would mean
that under certain circumstances, only one of the front wheels would be
spinning, while the other just stayed put. If this describes your
situation, then you probably shouldn't worry and consider buying a locker
for the front diff to get that "Locked Up" performance you want.

Good Luck!

Eric
--
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet intakes...

Larry Worfolk < <>...