2005 Jimmy 4WD Switching Problem

[ninepointer]

The 3-button shift-on-the-fly in my 2005 Jimmy does not work reliably. It tends to get stuck in 4-Hi and won't let me switch to 2-Hi. After several attempts, the lights on the buttons will start blinking at me.

I'm told by my mechanic that the 2005 model year does not use the vacuum tube system found in previous models, its all electrical. Is this correct?

The same mechanic told me that the problem appears to rest with the electrical plug found to the right of the front passenger's feet, behind the plastic side panel. He says that the tiny spring loaded contacts within the female terminals tend to heat up, curl back and and lose contact. When it gets stuck in 4-Hi, the solution seems to be to pop the plastic panel and unplug/re-plug the connection or squeeze/wiggle the connection, then try the pushing the 2-Hi button again. This is a real pain

The mechanic says these plugs are found in some North American cars and are prone to this problem. Essentially, he's telling me its a design flaw and implying that I have to live with it. We've already tried replacing the plug and we also swapped the electric motor found under the vehicle.

I'd really love to get this solved. Any suggestions? Thanks

Derek

[MT-2500]

Welcome to AF.
If that is the problem I am sure there is a fix.
If a known problem GM usually has a TSB on it and a repair procedure.
Have your dealer run your vin no for any tsb on it.

You can get plug in kits or wires for the plugin repair kits.

If not take some female terminals out of a old plug in same type and replace the female plugin.