4wd issues

[SirJamesAllan]

So. I'm new to trucks completely. Just got a 2000 silverado 1500 ext cab. Super roomy which is nice since I just had a daughter. (traded my 02 spyder convertible for it) It was nice when I got it, I cleaned out my car (moving and car was PACKED) and it didn't even fill the back of the cab. Plus the car seat fits in the back, which it did not in the Eclipse.. ANYWAYS.

The truck seems to be stuck in 2hi.. not the worst.. but I have already gotten it stuck once.. seriously.. like 2 days into owning it..

I realized that it's heavy, and when you pull up in the yard to wash the bed out.. the ground gets soft.. annndddd.. heavy trucks sink..

well the back tires got stuck.. so I put it in N and held the breaks, pushed 4hi.. nothing.. no blinking light or nothing.. 4lo? nothing.. ok ok.. 4wd auto.. nothing.. the light just stayed on 2hi.. push 2hi? nothing.. put it in park and push all the buttons, then back in N and push all the buttons.... nothing..... just that little 2hi light staring at me...

anyways.. I've been out with the guys mudding enough to know a little bit.. luckily I was able to get some 2x4s and get out without tearing up the yard too bad..

Now the guy I got the truck from said that if I needed to I could force the truck into gear,but that I'd have to fix the transfer case if I used it too much..
he did not tell me how though.. is there a cheat code? secret button combo? he didn't mean by taking the actuator off and turning it by hand did he? and why doesn't my light blink even!? I saw a video that said I could check some wires under the truck near the driver's door.. I'll do that tomorrr....er.. later today.. but any ideas?

Thank you in advance.

[777stickman]

Welcome to AF. First thing is your 2000 an Old Body Style (looks like a '97) or New Body Style (looks like an '02)? If it's an OBS, I may be able to offer some help.

When you turn the key to "run" do all the lights on the switch panel light up and blink once?

To force into 4wd would most likely require the removal of the encoder motor (actuator).