2000 s-10 4x4 wont engage

please help. my 2000 s-10 4x4 p/u wont go into 4wd. when i press 4whi or 4wlo, i hear what i think is the trans. case shifting but the front wheels wont engage. on a scale of 1-10 ,my mechanical skill is about a 3 or 4. please help a dummy check from easiest to hardest fixes.

thanks, poletpr

There is a thing called a "vacuum acutator" under your battery in the engine compartment. It engages the front wheels in the front differential. Feel around for it, notice the rubber boot on one end connected to a cable. With the truck running turn the 4x4 on and see if it pulls the cable, also causing the boot to suck into the actuator and crumple up a bit. If it doesn't pull the vacuum hose off it and with the 4x4 on and check if there is vacuum felt at the end of the hose. Let me know what you find and we will go from there.

There is a thing called a "vacuum acutator" under your battery in the engine compartment. It engages the front wheels in the front differential. Feel around for it, notice the rubber boot on one end connected to a cable. With the truck running turn the 4x4 on and see if it pulls the cable, also causing the boot to suck into the actuator and crumple up a bit. If it doesn't pull the vacuum hose off it and with the 4x4 on and check if there is vacuum felt at the end of the hose. Let me know what you find and we will go from there.

hello igor,
looked at the vacuum actuator and the cable. the rubber cap compresses and i can see the cable moving.i cant see or feel any suction loss at the hose either. what's next?

thanks, poletpr

igor,
the vacuum actuator seems to be working fine.the rubber boot compresses and i can feel the cable moving. i cant hear or feel any air leaking at the hose either. where to now????
thanks ,poletpr

hey vtmecheng,
vacuum actuator seems to work okay. the rubber compresses and i dont feel or hear any air leaking from the hose.where to next?
thanks, poletpr