99 olds bravada transfer case

[sum1_forgotten]

I have pretty much determined that the awd is sticking in the on position. It doesn't matter whether in forward or reverse when you turn the wheels it hops just like your older four wheel drive trucks when you forget to disengage it. I have heard alot about the encoder motors failing on these often in the engaged position but I am unsure if there is a way to diagnose this before breaking the bank on an uncertainty. Can I remove the motor and manually disengage the transfer case without damaging anything? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Leeann94astro]

Your '99 is full-time AWD, not auto-switching (unless I've got bad info).

What you probably need to do is change your differential fluid to GM AutoTrak II, which is the blue stuff. You might need to do it twice - do it, drive 100 miles or so, and do it again.

[Chris Stewart]

The '98 and newer has the electronic controlled transfer case w/encoder motor.
Like Leeann94astro says, replacing the transfer case fluid with the blue Autotrak II fluid is the last treatment I've read lately.
Disconnecting and disengaging the encoder motor sounds like a good idea to me but I don't know how to do it.

Here's some additional info,

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...=transfer+case

[sum1_forgotten]

thanks for all your time and attention. i guess im just going to have to get my hands dirty and see what i can figure out.

[pspencer15]

I have been having the same issue with my Bravada as well as having VERY poor MPGs. The first thing I did was check the transfer case fluid, and it already had the correct blue stuff, but I changed it just to be safe. It helped a little with the wheel binding, but not much and did nothing for my mpgs. So today, I pulled the encoder motor off to see if it was sticking. It was so corroded, that the housing was rotted through and the gears were all full of junk. So i assumed that it has been stuck in all wheel drive. I drove it with the front drive shaft removed, it feels soo much more peppy, but did nothing for the mpgs. im going to pick up a new encoder motor on monday and hope for the best. any ideas on why im only getting 11 mpg when i know i should be getting closer to 18.

[Chris Stewart]

Is the Check Engine light on?

[pspencer15]

No there are no lights on. I put a OBD II reader on the truck, and came up with no codes stored either.