Electric 4X4 shift not working

I have a 1997 K2500 4X4 with the electric shift transfer case, unfortunately it's not working and stuck in 4 Hi, there are no lights on the the 4X4 Switch panel.

Does anyone have suggestions, how about the wiring diagrams for this.

Thanks for your help,

Gordon

you too huh??
when ours gets stuck i sometimes have to (that have been suggested to me in the past) put the truck in reverse and creep backwards while pressing the 4X2 button hard, sometimes going forward and then back again till it goes in. The lights are intermittent in our truck too. we are talking about going to the local 4X4 shop (north shore off road) and having a guy change it out for a simple toggle switch instead. whodofthunk...simple would be better? our switch has never been right since we got it (our truck is a '96 k1500).

I replaced the switch hoping that would help but no luck, I'll try the backing up trick and see if that helps.

I really wonder if there is something else causing it though.

TFTH,

Gordon

who knows eh? I heard that this part was recalled or something b/c it was faulty???

Well I tried pressing the switch while backing up but that didn't work, there must be something else that is causing the problem.

Thanks though.

sure! no prob....gawd knows i'm no xpert! good luck....

You might check the front accuator...also you might try disconnecting the decoder on the side of the transfer case and then plugging it back in...there's also the cellunoid on top of the transfer case you might try...my buddy has his go out...i have a 97 k1500 and i too am having 4x4 problems...still haven't pinpointed it yet...i wish mine was just the manual shift instead of the electric...hope this helps....

I'm having the same trouble on my '99Suburban now. Did you ever find the problem in yours?

I'm having the same trouble on my '99Suburban now. Did you ever find the problem in yours?


YUP!
although it took a couple jack-ass hoodlums to break into my truck & wreck the interior, for me to figure it out.
Through insurance the Electronic Switch had to be replaced. And that''s all it seemedto ever be! If you are having trouble with the 4x4 engaging (we almost had to break our thumbs trying to get the switch to engage/disengage), try ordering a new 4x4 switch from your local dealer beforegetting into anything more complex. It love it when it turns out to be a simple solution!!
Good Luck!
b

I replaced the switch hoping that would help but no luck, I'll try the backing up trick and see if that helps.

I really wonder if there is something else causing it though.

TFTH,

Gordon
Check your vacuum line running to under your battery box where your actuator is that locks and unlocks your front axle then check the line that goes from there to your transfer case and the two that come from there. Look for dry rot, pinches or holes. Check the diaphragm in your actuator to be sure it is not leaking. Make sure your shift motor is working on your transfer case and if it is not the switch you can take it apart and replace the bulbs,they are T1. I just found this out I though the bulbs could not be replaced.

Just some info I was hanging on to that I found:

I’ve got a ‘96 GMC Jimmy, I didn’t use the 4WD much over the last year and when I tried to engage the 4WD, the HI light first flashed then did nothing so I tried the LOW and it did the same. It is now showing no response at all when pushing on either button and does not engage in 4WD. Any ideas on what I should have a mechanic look for to fix?

A: The most common problem we see with these systems is an encoder failure. This means the computer module that controls and monitors the 4WD shifting motor doesn’t know where it is. The computer needs to know the location of the shifting motor to perform correctly. If the computer loses location information it stops responding. Diagnostic codes can be extracted but, because you have not used your 4WD much it may be all that you have to do is to clear the computer so it can start over. Turn the ignition switch off and remove the fuse marked T-case (it should be a 20 amp fuse). Wait a minimum of 3 minutes then replace the fuse. Once the fuse is replaced turn the ignition switch on & off 5 times. Then start the engine and push the 4 Wheel HI button. If the system starts working, great. Be sure to exercise the 4WD system regularly to prevent a reoccurrence. If the problem returns then you need a technician familiar with your 4WD system to get into some diagnosis.

Just some info I was hanging on to that I found:

I’ve got a ‘96 GMC Jimmy, I didn’t use the 4WD much over the last year and when I tried to engage the 4WD, the HI light first flashed then did nothing so I tried the LOW and it did the same. It is now showing no response at all when pushing on either button and does not engage in 4WD. Any ideas on what I should have a mechanic look for to fix?

A: The most common problem we see with these systems is an encoder failure. This means the computer module that controls and monitors the 4WD shifting motor doesn’t know where it is. The computer needs to know the location of the shifting motor to perform correctly. If the computer loses location information it stops responding. Diagnostic codes can be extracted but, because you have not used your 4WD much it may be all that you have to do is to clear the computer so it can start over. Turn the ignition switch off and remove the fuse marked T-case (it should be a 20 amp fuse). Wait a minimum of 3 minutes then replace the fuse. Once the fuse is replaced turn the ignition switch on & off 5 times. Then start the engine and push the 4 Wheel HI button. If the system starts working, great. Be sure to exercise the 4WD system regularly to prevent a reoccurrence. If the problem returns then you need a technician familiar with your 4WD system to get into some diagnosis.

Thanks for the advice! I inadvertantly did just that yesterday afternoon before reading this. I didn't know why it was that the system was working when I got into the vehicle this morning. I was simply trouble shooting the system and had verified that the actuator at least recieved signal and made noise then removed the fuse to check it. It was out for about five minutes while I searched the book for info. I replaced it and went inside thinking I had not found the problem. Wasn't I suprised! Thanks again, now I knoe what did it.

Just some info I was hanging on to that I found:

I’ve got a ‘96 GMC Jimmy, I didn’t use the 4WD much over the last year and when I tried to engage the 4WD, the HI light first flashed then did nothing so I tried the LOW and it did the same. It is now showing no response at all when pushing on either button and does not engage in 4WD. Any ideas on what I should have a mechanic look for to fix?

A: The most common problem we see with these systems is an encoder failure. This means the computer module that controls and monitors the 4WD shifting motor doesn’t know where it is. The computer needs to know the location of the shifting motor to perform correctly. If the computer loses location information it stops responding. Diagnostic codes can be extracted but, because you have not used your 4WD much it may be all that you have to do is to clear the computer so it can start over. Turn the ignition switch off and remove the fuse marked T-case (it should be a 20 amp fuse). Wait a minimum of 3 minutes then replace the fuse. Once the fuse is replaced turn the ignition switch on & off 5 times. Then start the engine and push the 4 Wheel HI button. If the system starts working, great. Be sure to exercise the 4WD system regularly to prevent a reoccurrence. If the problem returns then you need a technician familiar with your 4WD system to get into some diagnosis.

Ok I have a 1997 z71, I tried this and it shifted into 4 high... Now it wont shift back!!!:banghead: Is my encoder motor screwed? Is there a way to shift it back till I can afford a new encoder???

Ok I have a 1997 z71, I tried this and it shifted into 4 high... Now it wont shift back!!!:banghead: Is my encoder motor screwed? Is there a way to shift it back till I can afford a new encoder???

Try repeating same process, then press 2WD button. hope this works. Best of luck

I tried that proccess again, no luck... I pulled the encoder motor and was thinking of pulling it apart but before I did that I put it back on and hooked everything back up. At the very top of the t-case there was a plastic wire splice that looked like it was open. so I wiggled it around and just about every wire under the truck. Now it is working. The good news is that I believe I have a simple bad connection... the bad new is I don't know were!!!!