2004 silverado z71 crew cab 3 button shift selection 2H 4H 4L eratic shifting seems like its in high gear at take off indicator light may show 2H, neutral or 4L shut the engine off then at next engine start it may show 2H, neutral, 4L or no light at all. shifting problems seem to occure mostly when indicator light is in 2H or no light on at all This doesn't sound like a mechanical problem but what do know i just drive the damn thing

Hi, On most modern 4WD there is lever which you shift in to 4H 4L 2H and N and on others there is a button to switch in to 4WD. Check to which one you have. You should also see a green or red indicator light showing up on your dash when you are in 4WD. Good luck.

1. • 1 Start your Dodge truck's engine.
     
   • 2 Turn the electronic transfer case from "2WD" to "4WD Lock" to engage the high range 4WD, if the dodge truck is equipped with an electronic transfer case; otherwise, shift the transfer case lever from "2H" to "4H." The electronic transfer case is located on the instrument panel and is marked with "2WD," "4WD Lock" and 4WD Low." The lever-equipped transfer case is located to the right of your leg and is marked with "2H," "4H" and "4L."
     
   • 3 Shift the transmission into "Neutral" while the vehicle is either stopped or rolling at 2 to 3 mph to begin engaging in the low range 4WD. Turn the electronic transfer case to "4WD Low," if the Dodge truck is equipped with an electronic transfer case; otherwise, shift the transfer case lever from "2H" or "4H" to "4L."
     
   Tips & Warnings
   • Indicator lights will come on and alert you that your vehicle is in either the high or low range of 4WD.
     
   • Do not engage in the low range of 4WD drive if the transmission is in gear; you must shift to "Neutral" first.
     
   • Many Dodge trucks allow you to shift from 2-wheel drive to the high range of 4WD at up to 55 mph--consult your truck's manual to ensure that this is possible. Do not exceed 55 mph while engaged in the high range of 4WD. Do not exceed 25 mph while engaged in the low range of 4WD.
     
   • Do not engage in 4WD unless you are on slipper or rocky roads.
     

I would advise you to check your fuses in the block under the hood and on the driver's side of your dash. If that doesn't fix your problem, you probably need a new transfer case selector motor. A quality aftermarket replacement can be purchased for around $250, and is fairly easy to change. Hope this helps!

You have a F150 4 wheel drive 1/2 ton truck with no over drive. You should be driving in 2H. 2H is 2 wheel drive high gear. And 3,000 RPM is not bad.
(1) You can get a after market over drive.
(2) You can change the gearing in the front and rear ends to higher gears.
(3) If you don't have locking you can change to locking hubs. If you do have locking hubs make sure they are unlocked.
All of these thing will help to lower your RPM and increase MPG.

This might sound like a silly question but did you put the truck in neutral before you shifted into 4L ? Reason being transfer case damage can occure if it wasnt in neutral when you shifted into 4L.

The switch could be bad, but if you cannot select 4H or 2H, I would think the shift motor in the transfer case is the issue.
This is assuming when you posted "control switch be bad", that you have an ESOF ( Electronic Shift on the Fly ) system.

Some times the Shift motor in the transfer case hangs up, and tapping the back of the transfer case cures the problem. The other thing could be the connector on the transfer case is corroded, remove the connector, and check it for water and other junk, clean if necessary.

You can remove the switch from the dash, and check the resistance on it.


If you secure the truck ( chock the wheels, parking brake, etc ) and having someone turn the ESOF switch from 4L to 2H or 4H, while tapping on the transfer case, this would be a good place to start.

just found this worked a trick..mine stuck for two weeks in 2wd

A mere 2,400km into the life of my 07 Rodeo TD 4WD, I used 4L for about 2km of medium-steep/slippery track. After stopping and selecting 2WD the 'Check 4WD' light appeared, meaning I was stuck in 2WD for the rest of that trip. Luckily I was able to complete the trip in 2WD without incident.

The dealer blamed me for 'not following the instructions in the manual' (utter codswallop), 'fixed' it, and very reluctantly gave me a scribbled set of instructions on resetting the system, which I've included below.

When I suggested that these instructions should be included in the manual, the response was 'not necessary if owners use the system correctly'. More cods.

Here's how to reset it:

1. Ignition off, hold all 3 buttons (2H, 4H & 4L) in together

2. Switch ignition on to 'reds' position (last position before start)

3. Hold in this state for 30 seconds

Hope this may be of use !!

If it is automatic transmission you must stop vehicle put it in neutral or "n" then put shifter that is indicates 2h 4h and 4L pull down to 4h if you are driving on highway or pull down then over and up to 4L if you are not going to be driving faster than 30mph.
If manual put in neutral also and do the same process as automatic there will be a light on dash board indicating that it is in 4wd also put transmission back to drive on automatic or shift to first gear on manual

You can try several things. You can stop the vehicle as if you are going into low range and shift the high range 2h, 4h, etc.. Ford advertises the Electric button type as "shift on the fly" but does not say the gears are synchronized to do that with manual engagement.

Change the lube this time to see if the lube is Milky. There have been floods, otherwise the case is sealed whether you park it or drive it. You still could have rust on the shift linkage. You need to move the linkage as you spray it. Then the offbeat chance something was bent from offroading. A Salvage Yard is a wonderful place to learn how a car is built. You may see their part looks different than yours.

2H is neutral because only 2 wheels driven....the rear ones.....transfer case is free-spinning with non-driven front wheels now....maybe the light bulb burned out?