2002 GMC Safari 4.3L V6 - Can't engage AWD

[Fulcrum]

My father owns a 2002 GMC Safari V6 4.3L Minivan, he is the original owner and the van now has 90,000 miles on it. He recently noticed that the Front Wheels are not powered with the AWD.

He took it to a mechanic and they put it up on a hoist and started the car. When shifted into Drive, the front wheels began to spin, but when touched with an external object such shoe or book or piece of wood, the front wheels stopped spinning.

The mechanic believes the actuator is bad. However, and new one costs around $500. At that price my father is apprhensive to give it a try without having better proof.

The fuses were checked too, and looked good.

Has anyone else had this problem, or know what the fix is?

Cheers!

Fulcrum