Serious Problem with my All Wheel Drive

I am not sure what the problem is but it seems like my all wheel drive is engaged all of the time. It's summer here and no snow. Dry ground all of the time.

What happens is that when I make a turn it seems to engage and then everything bogs down. This can be a hard turn like a U-turn or right hand turn or when I am pulling out of my driveway in reverse. When it's not engaged I don't even have to hit the gas when I am in reverse and it will turn with ease at about 90 degrees. But now I have to pretty much gun it to move it. Everything works fine when you make slight turns or are driving straight. My buddy says that something is telling it to engaged when turning for some reason.

I was told by the dealership that it was the Transfer Control Case Module. So I replaced that. It's the cheaper of the repairs as it is housed behind the center console and the rear wiper control. But the issue has still not be rectified.

can somebody help me please? this is killing me. I have no choice but to drive the stupid thing and I know that if this continues I am going to tear up my transmission something feirce and then I'll really be hurting.

Some folks here get relief by changing the transfer case oil. Yours is a '98 or newer.

Some folks here get relief by changing the transfer case oil. Yours is a '98 or newer.

Yes mine is a 02. I can't figure out where the transfer case drain is. It appears to be in the same location as the transmission drain plug but the picture in the owners manual sucks. I am going to get it up and level to get under there but it appears to be a goose hunt since I have never had to deal with a transfer `case before.

Any help is appreciated.

ok so I got all of this figured out. Now all I am wondering is if somebody can tell me if there is an easy way to get the fluid back into the transfer case without a fluid pump of some sort. It looks like I might have a little bit of room to maneuver but I'm not too sure.

Suggestions are welcome.

Wow, the factory service manual I spent big money on doesn't show the drain or fill plug locations.
I'd use a squeeze bottle w/pointed plastic cap.

Wow, the factory service manual I spent big money on doesn't show the drain or fill plug locations.
I'd use a squeeze bottle w/pointed plastic cap.


Well once you get under there it's not hard to identify the drain and fill plug. And if anybody ever has to do this themselves, take it from me and the miserable lesson I learned...buy a fluid pump. Squeeze bottle and plastic tip, even if you use a rubber hose on the end of it is absolutely one of my top 5 all time worse moments in life.

There is absolutely no room to maneuver the stupid bottle or tube once you get to a point where you have to tip the bottle some.

Have fun. Oh yeah btw it doesn't seem to have resolved the issue. I think I'm screwed.

Bheinz24,
Has your transfer case loosened up yet?
Thanks for the heads up on the pump....sorry you had a rough time.

No the transfer case didn't loosen up. Turns out the encoder sensor is bad and needs to be replaced. I was told by the dealership that one the Transfer Control Case Module goes bad so does the Encoder sensor and visa versa sometimes.

looks like this was one of those times. I should have it fixed tonight though. Crossing my fingers that this finally fixes it.

I just got back from the shop, was told the all wheel drive is stuck in the engaged mode. They recommended pulling the fuse to the 4 wheel drive. I'll let you know if that worked.

How'd it do Toad?

Hi. I have a 98 AWD Bravada. Today I ran over a curb without even realizing it. When I asked a friend if it was alright he said that all that happened was the frame made contact with the curb. About an hour later I got into my truck to realize that my Service AWD light was on. When I started to drive I realized my truck was no longer in 4WD. I asked my neighbor to check it out and he said I could have blown a fuse. He checked it out and said no fuses were blown but my truck is definantly in 2WD. Does anybody have a clue what could have happened and how much money im looking to spend? I'd really appreciate it. =]

Welcome to AF, this thread is 2 years old and dead, please start a new one, thanks.