95 4x4 - What next?

I had posted last week about some 4x4 issues. With the forums help, the problems were diagnosed and corrected. Now I have yet another problem as of last night. We have had a good deal of snow here in Michigan and a lot of the back roads are icy. I was using 4hi and 2 wheel back and fourth just fine - happy with the truck now, as I had just replaced the vacuum switch on the xfer case and then the actuator under the battery. Everything was working fine. I came home to a snow blocked end of my driveway, so I shift into 4lo to barrel through the plug of snow. It goes in fine, and I powered right through the snow. Now it is stuck in 4lo and when I push the 4hi or 2wh buttons, they just flash on and off until I push the 4lo button again. I looked at the vacuum lines and they look good - what you can see of them. Is the encoder motor the last piece of this puzzle? Are these symptoms of a bad encoder? I can't believe it worked great for 2 days and now this..
Any input is appreciated.

I just tried it again, and it SEEMS to be working (the correct lights light up on the dash selector switch), but the front wheels don't seem like they are getting any power. I can't even get them to spin on ice. Is this POS ever going to work right?

Does the 3 port vac actually get to the front actuator and it pulls the cable? If yes, then check the sensor on the front axle that tells the TCCM axle engaged. If no then the encoder motor may be shot as it steps when 4 Hi selected and moves the arm in the transfer that pushes that ball on the bottom of the 3 port switch to apply vac to the front and engage the front driveshaft. Step thru this and it will be working soon. Wish we ahd the old lever style and hubs again!