Tow/haul mode/lights

[BMCP]

i just picked up an 01 2500.

i'm not sure if the t/h works. there is no light that comes on in the dash or on the lever when i push it. how can i tell if it works without hauling loads?
is there a light in the lever? how easy is it to replace the lights?

how heavy a load should you start using t/h?

if you shut the truck off with t/h on, is it still on when you start back up the next time?

thanks, i'm new to this feature and truck didn't come with manual

[spackelman]

Do you know what transmission you have?

There is a light that comes on the upper right hand side of the cluster panel (above the gauges) when you hit the button.

You should be able to tell but the way the truck shifts if this function is working.

No it doesn't stay on when the truck turns off.

[silveradoseaver]

I have a 99 1/2 ton with v6 and the t/h mode doesnt work on it either. I think it is probably not the light b/c you would notice a difference in shifting. I havent dug into the wiring to see if it is a bad switch or wire. could be something unplugged on the tranny too. I would check that first. The t/h mode changes the shift points on the tranny. It basically holds the gears a little longer, to a higher rpm than normal. This keeps the tranny from hunting for the right gear under a load. I dont believe it is necessary with a light load but if you notice the tranny shifting excessively, that when I would use the mode.

[trbolvr]

The wires from your button are most likely broken where the shifter meets the steering column. Very common.

[silveradoseaver]

Thanks I will take a look at that today.

[silveradoseaver]

took apart the column this morning and found the broken wire. soldiered (sp) it back together. now it works great. took about 1 1/2 hrs to fix not really knowing what I was looking for/at. Thanks for the advice.

[jasonb01]

Mine has the same problem. How did you get to it? Did you have to take the steering wheel off, or just the plastic around the column? Any special tools needed? Thanks!

[silveradoseaver]

tools needed: torx driver, needle nose pliers, screwdriver, soldering iron,
I started by taking off the front cover of the dash. It just pops out. next take out 2 torx screws located on bottom side of column cover. You will also need to remove the tilt lever. Just give a good tug it will pop off too. You will need to remove the bottom cover on the column. with the screws removed it should come apart. be careful it seemed like it would brake easy. Next locate the wire coming out of tranny shifter. Mine was orange. There are actually 2 white wires in an orange insulator. mine was broken right below where the wire was attached with a plastic clip. To make it easier, i traced the wire to where the plug is. Used the needlenose pliers and a small screwdriver to separate the plug. After removing the wire, I removed the shifter handle. It also had a torx screw. I chose to solder a short piece of wire in as a patch. after taping it up a little, reinstall. I found that 2 pairs of needlenose pliers were needed to snap plug back together. That is what I did to fix my truck. yours may or may not be different. Its actually very simple to do if this is in fact the problem. you should also be able to see if the wire is broken without having to take it completly out. Hope that helps ya. Mine is a 99 silverado.

[BMCP]

cool, will check that out. thanks