95 tahoe 4WD problem?

[beckys_tahoe]

I have a 95 Tahoe, when I put it into 4WD sometimes takes 15-30 seconds to engage. I don't think this is normal--what can I do about it. It disengages fine. Sometimes it clunks as it engages, sometimes not.

Nice site, very informative, I really like the thread about glaspacks, have been toying with the idea myself. I like loud! My harley has no muffler, but I can't run my Tahoe that way.

[95tahoe4x4]

Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news, it is normal. I believe in the 95 when the 4x4 actuator is engaged(vacuum operated?) it waits until the gears line up, in later models it is electronicallty forced over and then slides into the gears. In the 95 it has to slide over and click in with the gears, if you are stuck bad enough (you can't roll a little backwards or forwards, it may not go in at all!) Even in the newer models they take a second or so to engage, it will not be like lock out hubs, when they are locked in as soon as you drop it into 4 wheel it goes. I have heard that switching to a synthetic will help it move faster, but I have not done that yet. I do know you can get the electric one and have it put in. It requires a little wiring, but nothing too bad. I think Merlin could tell you exactly how the actuator in the 95 works, but I do know they are different from the newer models and take longer to engage.

[95yukon]

i have a 95 gmc yukon and had some problems with the actuator which is electronically engaged. the actuator takes some time to engage if it is cold so that may be the only problem otherwise your actuator might be bad. a new one only runs about 110-150

[andjh123]

I used to own a '95 and had numerous problems with the 4wd (usually resulted in my getting stuck somewhere). The pause in engagement is normal, and depending on the temperature and alignment of the gears it can take quite awhile.

Right now I've got a '98 that is stuck in 4wd high (i've always wanted an all time 4wd vehicle!!) and getting about 10 mpg. Acuator problems I'm sure, but don't have the time to address it right now.

On the subject of "glasspacks," you can get by with having basically no muffler on your tahoe. Get the person installing your glasspack(s) to put them in backwards and the exhaust will flow straight through them just like a straight pipe!

[Jeremy-WI]

You should be able to replace your thermal actuator with the new style, I did in my 96 K1500.
You would need the actuator(part #26060073) and a wiring harness as the new actuator is a 3 wire and the old thermal is only 2. If your vehicle was built between 1988 and January 1, 1996 and is a K1500 or K2500 the wiring harness part # is 12376316 and if its from January 2, 1996 - 1997MY it is part 12376317. The new actuators are not for vehicles with GVW over 8500#. Dealer will want VIN for wiring harness due to limited availability.

[tomminajar]

Originally Posted by Jeremy-WI

You should be able to replace your thermal actuator with the new style, I did in my 96 K1500.
You would need the actuator(part #26060073) and a wiring harness as the new actuator is a 3 wire and the old thermal is only 2. If your vehicle was built between 1988 and January 1, 1996 and is a K1500 or K2500 the wiring harness part # is 12376316 and if its from January 2, 1996 - 1997MY it is part 12376317. The new actuators are not for vehicles with GVW over 8500#. Dealer will want VIN for wiring harness due to limited availability.

How about a 4WD GMC Yukon 6.5- The old actuator was pokey to begin with now nothing- Would a new style fit ? How about the harness (it's got 2 wires now...) Thanks !!

[Jeremy-WI]

what year and GVW? I think the 8500# cutoff may have been limited to pre-93 year vehicles. The new style actuators were installed at the factory on 1998 and newer

[tomminajar]

94 Gmc Yukon - Not a dullie - 6500 #lbs I belive - Old style is thermal right ? What's the new one- Is it simple R n R ? I'm fixing it for my father-in-law... Thanks-

[Jeremy-WI]

Pre 98's were originally thermal actuators, the new style are plastic cased electrical actuators. Not a real big job converting to the new style, just have to splice a new wire into a connector on top of the transfer case to provide power to the actuator any time the ignition is on and there is a spacer that has to go into the front axle before you put the electrical actuator in. Or if you just replace it with a new thermal actuator, it's real simple.

[73Regal]

i took my hoe in 4 sevice complaining about the 4x4 while the replaced my a/c pump. they said all the actuators on the 95s had a bad design and the new accuator has a new wiring harness which was installed. it was replaced because i hate going to dealerships and always check there work.