97' Bravada AWD not working! Please Help!

[ToddT123]

My 4WD is not engaging. I have read other threads that indicate 91' thru 97' Bravada's have the 4WD always engaged. Then what does the Smartrak do? I have a 20 amp fuse marked 4WD, but has no electrical connection in the socket. Is there an encoder motor that I keep reading about? If so, can I just hotwire this to a switch? Thanks in advance for any help!

[MT-2500]

Welcome to AF.
What transfer case do you have ?
Push button shift or AWD?
What is the tag no on back of case?
4472 or 233?
How are you checking for 4W drive operation?
MT

[ToddT123]

Thanks for the reply! Okay, on one side of the transfer case I see the number 72-065-901 and where you said to look I do see the number 4472. There are no buttons to push for 4WD. So I guess it's AWD? What does that mean exactly? Oddly enough, the manual says nothing about any of this. How am I checking this? It's been snowing a lot here in Chicago and rear tires spinning and front doing nothing. I think it was working when I got the car a couple of years ago. What's with the 4WD fuse that's not connected in the socket? Thanks again!

[MT-2500]

The 4472 transfer case is a full time 4W drive case.
It is non electronic/electric controled.
The fuse is for the other type electronic shift transfer case.

The 4472 uses a viscous clutch inside to divide power to front axel with rear axel.
It divides power to the axels.
One part to front and 2 parts to rear.

If front axel does not pull as should the viscous clutch inside transfer case may be weak or bad.
I would suggest you have a good repair shop test it out.
It is sometime hard to tell if it is working right.

Have you checked the fluid level in transfer case?
Any noise?
MT

[ToddT123]

Thanks again for the reply. I understand everything you said. It's strickly a mechanical clutch. I guess it's not really a SMARTRAK then. I don't believe the fluid has ever been changed and as I understand it, if the fluid is very low or non-existent, then it won't work. No, there's no noise and I did notice my gas mileage seems to be a bit better. Okay, last question. Can I check/change the fluid myself? What type do I use? Thanks again!

[MT-2500]

Smart trac or what ever they call it is strange.
It uses a special clutch that is susposed to divide the power between the front and rear axels.
That gives you a full time AWD that is safe to drive on the all time in 4W.
It calls for dexron 111 auto trsansmission fluid.
Do not use multi purpose or other stuff.
They have quit making dexron 111 and it is getting hard to find.
If you can not find any dexron 111 transmission fluidget some of the older dexron/mercon.
Carquest has it and other parts plaes or oil companys may have some.

It is a simple drain and refill operation.
MT