'96 2500 won't shift into 4WD

scca01 · 04-04-2009, 07:53 PM

Hey guys,
I have a 1996 2500 Suburban with the 454 engine, 110k miles.
When I push the 4HI button on the dash, I hear the front axle engage, but the pushbutton light only blinks, and I have no front wheel drive. When I try 4LO, I get low gear to the rear axle but still no drive to the front. I replaced the front actuator and checked the fluids, so eveything should be normal. No engine codes.

Only thing I found strange was there was gear oil in the actuator housing when I pulled the old actuator. As there is no seal or gasket on the actuator, I'm guessing there is a leak.

What else can I check?
Thanks!

Jeremy-WI · 04-05-2009, 07:53 AM

Check the 4x4 fuse in the interior fuse panel. Do you have the metal thermal actuator or the plastic electric actuator?

j cAT · 04-06-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scca01

Hey guys,
I have a 1996 2500 Suburban with the 454 engine, 110k miles.
When I push the 4HI button on the dash, I hear the front axle engage, but the pushbutton light only blinks, and I have no front wheel drive. When I try 4LO, I get low gear to the rear axle but still no drive to the front. I replaced the front actuator and checked the fluids, so eveything should be normal. No engine codes.

Only thing I found strange was there was gear oil in the actuator housing when I pulled the old actuator. As there is no seal or gasket on the actuator, I'm guessing there is a leak.

What else can I check?
Thanks!

normally NO 4X4 is the encoder motor......
the light will continue to flash...this is the motor in the transfercase...

the front diff actuator only locks the front wheels together....this is when the select sw. is placed in auto 4x4 and 4wd hi/low..

the encoder motor connects the front axles to the drive train.
the vehicle must not be operated in any 4x4 when on solid dry pavement....

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